Geeze I'm at 14 chapters already? I plotted things out until chapter 20...guess I gotta start plotting again ;;; and to answer one of your guys' reviews: sadly there's no kiss in this chapter but I'll make it up to you with fluff in the mean time (not a lot of fluff in this chapter though)

Chapter 14

Let Me Know

Lunch rush didn't appear to be a problem for the two when they arrived at the pizza parlor. They were given a table quickly and now they were perusing the menu ('they' as in just Prompto because Evie wasn't hungry). The place was nothing too fancy, for the sake of her wallet, but nearly all the tables were occupied in the rather homey styled restaurant so their food had to be at least slightly above average.

Prompto glanced up from the menu and frowned when she saw hers lying flat on the table. "Aren't we sharing this pizza?" He asked, confused.

"I had lunch a while ago. I don't think I can eat pizza right now." She said, aligning the menu corner so it matched the table's.

"Well we can just get a small!" He said. "I don't wanna eat a whole pizza by myself." The look in his eyes showed that he was clearly capable of doing said deed.

She tossed the idea around and finally agreed. "Okay. Small pizza, whatever toppings you want is fine―no mushrooms though."

"Aye aye, captain."

The waitress rounded their table and they ordered their drinks and meal. She collected their menus and scurried off to get them their drinks. Lunch went by smoothly enough. The pizza came in faster than what Evie expected and she watched in shock as Prompto easily ate 3 slices of pizza. She nearly finished her first one by the time he was gnawing at the crust.

"What's up? Pizza no good?" He asked, glancing at her plate. The pizza tray had two more slices left.

"No it's not that. I told you: I'm not super hungry right now." She said simply and took a sip of her water.

They both did their best to avoid particular topics that had left them unintentionally estranged for several days. After Evie went over what remaining finals she had left and how Lyra was struggling to get through studying, she stopped herself.

"In speaking of studying, I was in the library after an exam and I ran into Ignis."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she laughed. "Apparently Noctis was hiding from him. Ignis mentioned something about a political report."

"That's Noct for ya." He shrugged with a smile. "He wants nothing to do with all of these politics but he's gonna have to get through it after this summer." His smile was replaced with a sad frown. "No doubt he's gonna be super busy…"

Evie swirled the straw in her cup absentmindedly. "That's why you gotta make the last trips the biggest. Ignis told me you guys were going to Galdin when the prince was done with finals."

He nodded. "Oh―yeah. We'll be gone for most of break. I would've mentioned it to you, but I didn't know if you'd be interested."

She knew the hidden meaning behind that but she went along with it anyway.

"I mean, the offer still stands but I get it if you still want your space." He said, voice trailing off slightly. "It would be nice though," he continued, "you never been to Galdin Quay so I could get to show you all the cool spots on the beach. Noct really loves the fishing there."

"No it's fine." She said softly. She watched him as she spoke. "I already have things planned out with my folks here. I rather not send my mom into a hissy fit." Besides, if Prompto did invite her earlier her answer would've been leaning towards a no. It looked like Prompto got the hint beforehand.

"We can do something later this year?" He offered.

"If we plan it then sure."

"Maaan," he leaned back in his chair. "You're like Iggy. Live a little! You need to keep yourself on your toes once in a while."

"If I do that I might fall."

"Then I'll catch you."

They both stared at each other for a moment. Did he just drop a pickup line? By the looks of Prompto's cheeky smile, her suspicions were confirmed. He wiggled his eyebrows and made a cha-ching! move with his arm. "That was totally smooth and you know it."

"Do you have a book of puns and pickup lines?"

"I have a book in here," he said and tapped the side of his head. "I made a few really good ones last summer y'know."

"I don't doubt you."

The waitress came by with a to-go box and the check. She offered desserts but Evie felt that if she had another bite then she would explode. Despite the excited look Prompto gave her, she declined for the both of them and the waitress went off to her other tables.

"So then do you want to go on any trips with me and the guys in the future?"

She shrugged. "It depends on things." Evie placed the two slices in the box and closed it.

"I figured. It was worth a shot." He said.

Evie placed her card with the check. "I'm not shooting down the idea on the spot." She muttered. "I just need to think about it. I don't go on these huge road trips as often as you."

"Okay, okay. Sorry for asking."

She looked up at him. "It's not bad to ask."

Their server swung by and went off with the card and check. Moments later she came back and told them to have a nice day. They stood as she filed her card away in her wallet before heading for the door. Once they were out, she put her gloves back on.

"If you told me that you were leaving with the guys earlier, it would be no big deal." She said.

"Funny. I could say the same for you after what happened this past week, but y'know…" he told her with a shrug of his shoulders. Evie exhaled. The words bothered her more than she anticipated. He got her.

There was a few minutes of silence on their walk back to campus. The streets were busy but the sidewalks were not. It was apparent the snow and ice scared off most of the city goers. Evie stepped over a grate that had melted snow draining into it.

"Are you mad?" He asked quietly.

She sighed. "Not at you if that's what you're thinking. I don't blame you for not telling me or inviting me to tag along. I already have my break filled out so it's not like I would've joined in. If anything, I'm mad at myself."

"Can we hold hands?"

If there was ice on the ground she would've slipped. She looked at him, astonished and confused by the request. Prompto momentarily looked at her before putting his attention forward. She couldn't tell if it was the cold biting at his cheeks, but she thought he blushed. Evie took out her right hand and held it out. "Okay."

He clasped his hand with hers. The coldness from his hand seeped through her glove and she shivered. The tension from his shoulders eased out. "You're the first girl I've held hands with―besides my mom." He admitted.

"What about your other girlfriends?"

He let out a nervous laugh and scratched his cheek. "I didn't tell you? You're...you're my first girlfriend."

She blinked. "No you did not tell me. Are you serious?" Was she supposed to believe that this super friendly guy never dated?

"As serious as Gladio loves cup noodles." He looked up to see the gray overcast. "There was this one girl a couple years ago who went to U of I. I tried to get her attention...but I didn't get the guts to ask her out."

"So I'm your first girlfriend." She repeated.

He nodded. "I thought I told you buuuuut I guess not."

Their hands swung back and forth gently.

"I wouldn't have even guessed. I'm surprised you don't have a fan club."

"Pfft as if. I wasn't always so outgoing before, especially in middle school. I was super shy and I chickened out whenever I talked to Noct."

She shook her head. "I can't imagine you being all shy and quiet."

"Believe what you want. Ask Noct if you think I'm lyin'."

She quirked her brows. "I believe you."

They continued to walk with their joined hands going back and forth with their step.

"So...with all things considered, you're fine with taking things slow?"

He squeezed her hand. "That's completely okay with me. Just promise me something?"

"What's that?"

They reached a crosswalk and stopped to wait for the lights to change. He tugged her close so that their arms were touching. "No more secrets?"

Evie closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again a ghost of a smile remained, and she squeezed his hand back. "Promise."

He nodded, satisfied with her answer. The light changed and they started to cross the street that was riddled with a light layer of slush.

"I bet you're gonna miss all of this wonderful weather when you're at Galdin Quay." Evie said, gesturing to the snow capped signs and traffic lights.

"Oh yeah, definitely." He nodded, not bothering to hide the scowl on his face when he looked at the snow and slush. "I'll miss freezing my toes and ears."

Evie walked with him to the library. They stood at the front door underneath an overhang to shield them from the brunt of the weather. She smiled at him, pausing for a bit. Prompto shifted his weight on his legs, and for a split second it felt like they were both waiting for something. He looked like he wanted to hug her, and part of Evie wanted to too…

But the bruises were still fresh, and in the end she poked his shoulder and said, "Go and study for a bit. I'm gonna take a nap when I get back."

"Alright." He said albeit reluctant. He looked at the front doors and slouched. "Tomorrow I don't have finals...so maybe we can do something―and I mean it this time. We should have a gaming marathon."

"I told you I suck at videogames. You'll beat me at all of them." She warned.

"We can do co-ops!" He insisted with a grin. "You need to take a break, Eve."

She stared at him.

"If you don't then I'm assuming you're...unfun."

"Oh c'mon," she whined. "I'm fun!" To an extent at least, she thought.

"Nope." He pointed his lips and folded his arms. "You can't convince me otherwise."

"Fine," she held up her hands. "You win. So tomorrow?"

Prompto put his hand on the door and yanked it open. He shot her finger guns. "You bet."

Evie made it back to her dorm, nose alarmingly red and face frozen. She opted out on taking the elevator and took the stairs in hopes of shaking the ice off her bones and joints.

When she made it to her dorm she shook out her keys from her jacket pocket and unlocked the door. Slinging her coat over a nearby chair, she flopped onto her bed. Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she quickly answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, hello!" A feminine voice sang.

Evie smiled and scooted to the far end of the bed so that her back was resting up against the wall. "Hey, Mom."

"Are you studying?"

"No...I have my last one on Friday, but it's no big deal. We just gotta show up to get credit."

Evie's mom, Davina, was quite the opposite of herself, but had a nurturing soul. She was a school teacher for elementary kids and loved her job, but she was starting to show the age and stress that had been tolling on her body over the years.

"So when's your last exam? Are you coming home in the afternoon?"

Evie brought her legs towards her and sat with them criss-crossed. "It's in the morning...I probably might come home in the afternoon. It depends on how long Prompto's staying before he leaves for break."

She had told her mom about her newly acquired boyfriend a couple weeks ago figuring that she wouldn't have the ability to keep it from her (that and she didn't want Lyra blabbing it to her mother before Evie could tell her). Since then her mom occasionally asked about him but didn't press further into matters, which Evie was grateful for.

"Oh he's going on another infamous road trip?" Her mom sighed. "That's too bad. I wanted to meet him."

"When he comes back I can tell him about it. Maybe we'll drop by for a weekend?" She offered.

"So where's he and the Prince going this time?"

"They're going to Galdin Quay for most of break."

"Aww," Evie could imagine her mom wearing a sympathetic smile right now, "well you can always text him."

"Yeah…" she paused. "So how's work?"

A thoughtful sigh came from the other end. "Everyone's just getting restless with break coming up. We've been all making decorations for the party we're throwing for the last day and I can just taste the cupcakes and brownies."

"Save some for me."

"If there's any left then you got it! So, is Lyra doing anything fun this break?"

"Not sure…"

"You should invite her to go ice skating with us at the mall! The decorations are more beautiful than last year."

"I'm sure she'd love to. I'll ask her," she said, grinning. "She's struggling really hard with studying and all."

"Oh! Bring her over for dinner! I also finished setting up the guest room so if she needs a place to crash then she's free to do so."

"You really are her adoptive mother." Evie snorted.

"Treat your adoptive sister as such! I haven't seen her in forever."

"I will," she drawled out as she fiddled with the seam line of her pillow case. "Oh yeah, I don't know if I told you this but Lyra found herself my new replacement. She says I spend too much time with Prompto."

Davina laughed. "Oh really? Who is it?" Clearly she cruised over the rest of the sentence without much thought.

"Iris. She's Gladiolus' little sister―y'know, Prince Noctis' bodyguard."

"Hmm, an Amicitia huh? Is she leaving for break too?"

Evie shrugged. "I dunno. She's pretty independent and I rarely see her with Gladio. I guess she has her own things to do."

"Gosh, you're meeting all of these famous people now. I feel like I should get your autograph."

She rolled her eyes. "Aren't you still working?"

"The kids are having recess outside and I'm not on duty for today."

"Ahh."

"Well I just figured that I would call you to see how you're doing. You're almost done with college!" Davina sang again. "My daughter is graduating this spring."

"One more semester…"

"And make it count―but don't do anything stupid or I'll kick your ass."

"I understand."

"Good! I love you and good luck with your exam! I'll see you on Friday."

Evie smiled. "Love you too. Bye."

"Buh-bye!"

She was woken up with a start when her phone buzzed on her bed. Her eyes were riddled with sleep and turned over and get back to her nap. Her mind was playing a game of tug-of-war in and out of consciousness by the time her phone buzzed again.

Evie grumbled and felt for her phone. Laying on her stomach, she propped her elbows on her pillow to look at her new messages.

'I finally got my phone charged T . T im alive!'

And:

'I studied for 2 hours are you happy now. Imma stuff my face and play video games now'

Evie glanced at the clock, realizing that her 2 hour nap felt like 8 hours. She yawned.

'You woke me uuuupppp'

'O sorry ;p go back to sleep'

'I will'

'So tomorrow we're doing a thing?'

'Mhmm'

'Okie. sweet dreams'

So I also made a Spotify playlist for songs that have inspired a few chapters, so if you guys are interested I can put in the link in the next chapter so you guys can get a better idea of what certain moods would be going on in scenes and such. See you guys next week!

-Jen