Note: This one I'm not sure if I'm happy with or not. I struggled with how to get from the market to the house. Eventually I came up with this and I guess I'm sticking with it. The next chapter will be the last
The walk back to Lightning's place was a silent and awkward one and the whole time, the only thing Hope could think about was how dumb of an idea it was to ask Lightning on a date.
'Why would Light even be interested in a guy like me? She's so amazing and she deserves a guy just as amazing.' Hope's shoulders slouched. 'And I'll never be that guy'.
"Hey!" Lightning's voice cutting into his thoughts caused Hope to jump. "You're lagging behind."
He was?
Lightning had marched herself at least a yard ahead of Hope and was now waiting impatintly with her arms crossed.
Crap! Hope jogged to catch up with her. How the hell did that happen? "S...sorry."
Lightning raised a pink eyebrow. "Just pay attention."
Hope smiled. Hearing her say that felt like the old days and he felt a bit better.
Dispite how badly the date was going, Hope still didn't want it to end. He loved just being with Lightning so when her house came into view, he was sad to see it.
Awkward didn't even come close to the feeling in the air as they stood on the front step.
'Oh look, another cliche.' Hope thought. 'Though I don't think this is going to end in a kiss.'
"Well, that wasn't the greatest idea I've ever had." Hope tried to laugh it off, but it fell flat.
"No, it wasn't." Lightning bluntly agreed.
Hope scratched the back of his head. "I, ah, guess I'll see you later."
"I'm sure."
When Hope turned to go, the front door burst open and Snowe was standing there. "You've got to be kidding me! That's how you're ending your date?"
"Snowe!" Serah was right behind him. "You ruined it."
Lightning's glare screamed 'I'm so going to punch you'. "What are you two doing?"
Snowe laughed. "Not a thing, Claire."
"Yup." Serah smiled sweetly. "We just happened to be leaving while you two were coming."
Was that really the lie they were going to go with?
Hope pointed towards the thrown open door. "Didn't you just say."
"Oh Hope." Snowe drapped his arm around his shoulders. "You keep paying attention to me, you're going to make Sister feel neglected."
"She/I'm not your sister." Hope and Lightning said at the same time.
There was a long awkward pause.
"Okay." Serah clapped her hands together. "Snowe, weren't we going somewhere?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, right." He gave Hope a shove towards Lightning who instinctively caught him. "See you two later." He took Serah's hand and they were off.
"I'm not doing that." Lightning said blankly.
"Doing what?" Hope asked still in Lightning's arms.
"Nothing." She pushed Hope away entering her house.
She hadn't closed the door.
'Is she inviting me in?' Hope wasn't sure.
"Are you coming or not?"
"Oh, ah, yes, sorry." Hope closed the door behind him.
