A lot of this chapter was posted in the announcement chapter I added to 24 Notes, so I'll likely post the next one shortly just so no one feels ripped off. Also, I promise the chapters get longer after this! :)
Twelve years ago…
Neither of them is paying much attention to the movie. Truth be told, Natara isn't even sure what movie Mal had put on. She tries to pay attention, but her mind keeps drifting to the boy next to her.
For 13 years, their entire school career, he had been leaving her notes and gifts anonymously. She prides herself on her intellect and level of observation. And yet, through those 13 years, she had never figured out it was him. She can't figure out why. Now that she knows the truth, it seems obvious.
Mal, on the other hand, couldn't believe that Natara Mansingh was sitting on the couch next to him. Sure, maybe they were sitting a good foot and a half apart, and maybe it was a bit awkward. But he had never, in his wildest dreams, thought this would happen. He had expected her to go to college and never think of him again. He hadn't expected that she would show up at his house the night they graduated high school. And he certainly hadn't expected her to agree to watch a movie with him.
She shifts on the sofa next to him, bringing her leg a fraction of an inch closer to his. He does his best to sit still. He knows she has to be nervous. He's nervous too. But he wants to talk to her, so he can't scare her off. Which means no sudden movements.
It feels like an eternity later when the credits start to roll. Both of them stretch, their muscles sore from sitting still for so long. He wordlessly offers her the last of the popcorn, but she shakes her head.
"No thanks," she says. "I'm not really hungry anymore. Besides, it's late. I should get going." He looks at the time and is shocked to see that it's past midnight. She could have told him it was getting late, and that she had to leave. She should have. He wouldn't have been offended.
"Do you want me to drive you?" he offers, and she looks at him quizzically.
"I drove myself here," she reminds him. "But thanks anyway."
So he settles for hovering as she gathers her things it doesn't take her long, even though she offers to help him clean up. Soon enough he's following her to his front door. She smiles at him and tucks a stray hair behind her ear.
"Have a good night," she says, then turns to leave.
"Wait," he says, reaching out to her. She turns back, an expectant look on her face.
"Yeah?"
He asks the question that's been on his mind for hours. "Where do we go from here?"
She thinks for a second. He's sweet. She knows he's kind, and generous. She knows he's thoughtful. But besides that? She has no idea who this boy is. She knows what he's asking. But she's not ready.
"Friends, I guess?" she offers.
It's not what he was hoping for. But it's enough for now.
"Friends," he agrees.
They linger in the doorway for another second. He wants, so badly, to lean down and kiss her. He wonders what it would be like if he did. But that's not what friends do. So instead, he settles for watching her walk to her car and drive off.
