Chapter One

"Today is the day. The day that I'll finally tell Erin how I feel." I tell myself, but I know it won't likely happen. I start screwing in a bolt for a new and updated proton gun when Patty comes on over.

"Heya Holtzy! Did you tell her yet?"

"Tell who what?" I ask, not looking up from my work, my yellow tinted googles over my eyes.

"Come on Holtzy! You HAVE to tell her."

"She's straight." I mumble as I set down my screwdriver.

"Like you say, so is spaghetti until it gets wet." Patty lets out a chuckle.

"What spaghetti? I want some spaghetti!" Abby says excitedly coming into the room from the copy machine room.

"Holtzy here still hasn't told Erin she likes her."

"PATTY!" I hiss and she hears high heels coming up the stairs. I'm praying to God Erin didn't hear that as I hold my breath.

"You should've seen that line at the grocery store! It's like everyone heard the news that an apocalypse is starting or something." Erin says, trying to catch her breath as she sets down the bags. I can't help but look at her. She's in my MIT hoodie I let her borrow since she was cold one night, as well as a beige plaid skirt. Suddenly she turns and catches me checking her out.

"You like what you see?" She cracks a joke and everyone holds their breath, waiting to see what I'll reply.

"Yes." I say quickly and I turn back to my work, not knowing what to do, my face is all red. Erin caught me staring at her, and this wasn't the first time. Abby helps her put the groceries away. Patty looks at me sympathically.

"What if she doesn't want to talk to me anymore when I tell her? What if she totally freaks out?" I text to Patty.

"Holtz, you're overthinking it. Even Abby and I can tell something is there on her end. You never pay attention, but she checks you out on a daily basis. It isn't my pace to tell, but she told me she's bisexual. We were having a girl's night, the one you missed….she came out talking about this girl in high school she had a crush on. Even Abby didn't know." Patty replies and I read the message. The look on my face must've been priceless because all I heard was Patty laughing.

"What's so funny?" Erin asks her, sitting on her desk, crossing one leg over the other.

"Oh nothing. Well I'm calling it a night. Goodnight Er, Hotzy." Patty smiles and winks at me as she walks out. I roll my eyes and I realize Abby left as well.

"Well it is getting pretty late huh?" Erin tries to make conversation with me. She knows that I have a hard time communicating sometimes, due to my asperger's syndrome.

"I guess. It's early to me though. Late is like 1AM." I look at the time on my watch, 10PM.

"Well I'm going to head home…" She says it like she had something else to add. I look up from my desk, taking my goggles off.

"Would you like to come over for some beer? We can order a pizza and maybe watch a movie?" Erin adds.

"That sounds…"I start to immediately get nervous and all these thoughts rush through my head. I can't say no. this is something I've been waiting for. The fear of the unknown hits me like a speeding car. "Sure I'd love to. Can I hitch a ride?" I bring myself to say yes. I look into her beautiful green eyes, just for a couple seconds, my soul melting into a ball of happiness.

"Of course you can. Let's go." She grabs her purse and I grab my leather jacket, pulling it over me, covering my overalls as I zip it half way. I follow Erin out of the building, after locking up. Tonight is it. It's tonight or never.