As the sun set beneath the trees of Central Park, John and Jane sat on a
bench, watching it and eating hot dogs from a nearby vendor. John
particularly delighted in the hot dogs, because he was allowed to use his
hands and didn't have to bother with forks and knives.
"Isn't the sunset beautiful, John?" Jane asked.
John looked up, startled. He had been so engrossed in eating the new, rather tasty food, that he was surprised at being addressed. He hardly missed a beat, though. "Yes. It is one of the most beautiful things in the world, as are you." he replied. He loved the sunset, and sunrise for that matter, but thought that Jane outshone both of those.
When he said that, it was Jane's turn to look surprised. His sudden, yet subtle compliment had caught her off guard. She grinned, and blushed before saying. "You know, John, I don't know if I'm going to let you eat any more hot dogs. They make you say funny things." She was trying to make the compliment go away. It wouldn't leave her mind, though their conversation drifted to other things.
Later that night, when Jane was back in her bed after taking John back to his aunt's, her mind once again drifted to his sincerely meant words. He thought she was one of the most beautiful things in the world. She thought he was too, but she would never say that out loud, much less to his face, she thought stubbornly. Or would she...? Her mind started to drift over all of her memories of John. It was a vast collection. Some were happy and some were sad, but every one of them ended the same. She came so close to crossing that line of friendship to relationship just before turning back. Would it be so bad if I did cross it? was her last conscious thought, before she fell asleep...
"Isn't the sunset beautiful, John?" Jane asked.
John looked up, startled. He had been so engrossed in eating the new, rather tasty food, that he was surprised at being addressed. He hardly missed a beat, though. "Yes. It is one of the most beautiful things in the world, as are you." he replied. He loved the sunset, and sunrise for that matter, but thought that Jane outshone both of those.
When he said that, it was Jane's turn to look surprised. His sudden, yet subtle compliment had caught her off guard. She grinned, and blushed before saying. "You know, John, I don't know if I'm going to let you eat any more hot dogs. They make you say funny things." She was trying to make the compliment go away. It wouldn't leave her mind, though their conversation drifted to other things.
Later that night, when Jane was back in her bed after taking John back to his aunt's, her mind once again drifted to his sincerely meant words. He thought she was one of the most beautiful things in the world. She thought he was too, but she would never say that out loud, much less to his face, she thought stubbornly. Or would she...? Her mind started to drift over all of her memories of John. It was a vast collection. Some were happy and some were sad, but every one of them ended the same. She came so close to crossing that line of friendship to relationship just before turning back. Would it be so bad if I did cross it? was her last conscious thought, before she fell asleep...