It was a mess. The whole situation. First, she had woken up on his chest, his arm wrapped around her after the movie. It was too close for comfort. Then, her attempt at sneaking out before he woke up failed and he insisted she stay over, in his bed. But before going to bed, she had seen that look of desire in his eyes as he stood across the room from her. As he started to step towards her. It was unmistakable. She had almost let it happen to. She was so close to letting him walk closer to her and confirm her theory. To finally kiss him again. How badly she missed that. But she couldn't. Because then what? Just the kiss or would it turn into more? And if it did, then it would be some sleepy, somewhat drunken one night stand that maybe he would regret in the morning. She felt positive she wouldn't be able to just kiss him and then go to sleep like nothing had happened. It was difficult enough to sleep in his bed with the familiar smell of him on his pillow overwhelming her all night.
Worse yet, she would have to face him in class. There was far too much uncertainty to risk a kiss and she felt certain she had made the right choice. Even if she did regret not being able to feel his lips again.
At least she managed to slip out unnoticed this morning. She was so hesitant about leaving a note even for fear it would wake him but decided it would be impossibly rude not to. She snuck a glance at him. She had forgotten how cute he was when he slept. He looked angelic almost. Tearing her eyes away, she dropped the note and started toward the door. She quietly opened it and tiptoed, barefoot, into the hallway. Not wanting to put in her noisy shoes until she was a safe distance from his front door. She only started breathing again once she descended the stairs.
She contemplated skipping class. I'm mean, how could she stare at him for 3 hours after last night. Everything last night had been dangerously reminiscent of how they had been just before they became something more.
But not showing up would be weirder she deduced. That might put their friendship at even more risk than showing up would.
So that's how she found herself sitting in the middle row of the auditorium, facing him, less than four hours after she had fled his apartment. Traces of their restless night were visible on his face and his button-down shirt was a bit wrinkled. She wanted to smooth it out and his hair which was unruly as usual. Specifically, the errant curl which dangled over his right eye. She decided to focus on her note taking instead of his appearance. Only glancing up when she was certain he wasn't looking at her.
Once the class finally concluded, she rushed out before he could say anything. Giving him a faint smile in acknowledgment before ducking out. But he caught up to her just outside the door. "Wait!"
"I wanted to check you made it home okay. I mean, obviously you did because you're standing in front of me." He laughed nervously and ran a hand through his hair. "But you left without saying anything."
"I didn't want to wake you. You looked so peaceful and I know how rare it is for you to fall into a deep sleep without Cedric by your side." She gave him a wicked smile and continued. "Actually, I kept thinking I would wake up to find that creepy Cabbage Patch Kid staring me down."
"He got left behind in New York actually. Feared customs wouldn't let him through."
"Humphrey, I don't think they're that strict. I mean, they let you through didn't they?"
"And you, apparently." He added.
She shot him a withering glare. "Well as you can see I am just fine so thank you for checking on me. I have to head to my next class."
"Your next class isn't for another 30 minutes?"
She gave him a quizzical look. "Stalking me Humphrey?"
He stammered, "No, I mean, I know from coffee last Monday. You said it."
"I have to get there early today."
"Oh okay." He looked defeated.
"Wednesday, I have an hour between classes through."
His face brightened, "Wednesday." He echoed. "Okay perfect. I will see you then."
"See you then." She smiled and walked off. She breathed a sigh of relief once she was a safe distance from him. She actually didn't have to get to class early. But she knew Noah had a break between classes right now and could be anywhere. The last thing she needed was an awkward run-in. If Noah saw her with Dan then he would start his questioning all over again. She had basically told him they didn't really know each other so that lie would crumble if he saw them chatting like the old friends they were. Monday's were just not a safe day to be seen with Humphrey. Especially ones in which she had slept over at his apartment the night before. She found a bench near the next class and idled until it was time to go in. Thankful for the distraction from her pressing thoughts.
But as the day went on, Blair delved deeper into her notion that they should remain friends and nothing more. She began to realize that she was being a coward and a fool. Clearly, he had wanted her. She had seen it herself in his eyes. And what guy just wanting to be friends lets their so-called-friend boss them around all day? Even let her pick out his furniture. Especially given he had once written a book about her and said he loved her.
He wanted more. Now she felt sure of it. He wouldn't have just let it be that one kiss or a one night stand. That was just her own fears turning into excuses because she was too afraid to act on her feelings. She felt frozen with the knowledge that he wanted her. She had to do something. No more of this silly dance they were doing. The next time she saw that look, she decided she wouldn't run away from it or try to stop him. She would face her fears and see what happened.