Lois's Dorm Room (Continued)
I sit diligently waiting for Lois. I'd glance every now and then to try to size Johnny Storm up. From my point-of-view, he's just another spoiled rich boy – but over the years, I've learned not to jump to conclusions. Besides, I really don't know him.
Strange, really - a few hours ago I was jealous of this guy.
"Okay, I'm ready." Lois comes out of her room dressed in blue jeans and a black tank top. Her hair is still wet and it looks like she's letting it air dry rather than the usual blow dry. He liked that about her. She appears comfortable in whatever clothing or look she's wearing and when it's bothering, she has no qualms about letting people know.
"It's about time," Johnny smirked, eyes still on the television. He lifted his popcorn above his head. For a moment I was wondering what exactly he was doing until Lois walked passed and reached into the buttery kernels.
"Thanks," she says.
"You're welcome," Johnny says, bringing it back down to his lap and grabbing a fist full to chow down on.
It's apparent to me now that they've been friends longer than I imagined.
"What's up Smallville?"
I careen my head back and forth, a move that meant 'can we take this outside.' I even look at her in hopes she understands what I'm trying to convey with my face without being too obvious. She dipped her head towards me as if I was mentally retarded until I burst out just saying what I came there to say.
"Could we talk outside?" It came out a bit forceful, not that I intended it to but I've had a bad day and I needed to vent. I'm just sorry that she was in my line of fire.
And Johnny looked completely devoid of what's occurring around him. Personally, I take that as a good thing.
"Yeah, sure – Let me get my coat." Her voice was low and sounded understanding. A part of me hoped that I didn't come out too strong, but another part of me wanted her to feel the same kind of confusion that I've been feeling for a while now.
Student Commons
We walked down to the student lounge keeping pretty much to ourselves. "Is everything all right?" she asks aloud.
"No"
"Oh." She looked surprised. "Want to talk about it?" We find an empty couch and we both cover the ends.
"Yes"
"Well – " she waited, crossing her legs. Right over left. Her right leg bobbed up and down, a beat per second.
"It depends. I don't think you want to hear it"
She creased her eyebrows and I knew she knew what I wanted to talk about. She gets quiet, an act that only occurs when a conversation turns serious and she's trying to approach it seriously as well. It's her game face. The one reserved for interviews and meetings. She's rarely ever given me that face and it leaves me a bit intimidated.
"Only one way to find out"
"Are you and Johnny – together?"
She coughs and then cleared her throat. "Uh – together?" she shook her head. "No," she answers. Her voice didn't betray her words. "What made you think we were seeing each other?"
I throw her an obvious glance and she quickly refutes.
"Okay, granted, he's staying with me for the night but he's not my boyfriend"
"He's not," I say in relief.
"Which brings us back to my earlier question," she says.
I drop my head and play with my fingers. There's so much I want to say, but I'm afraid I'll drive her away if I do. I've really appreciated the friendship we've built together – and not just with me, but with Chloe and my parents too.
"Do you like me?" I ask her out-of-the-blue. Her face is unreadable and for a second, I contemplated taking back the question.
I didn't though.
"Do I like you?" she repeated my question in her own words. "How so – like in general or like – as a person?" She covered her face with her hands seemingly embarrassed by her choice of words.
I smile at that.
"Sorry. That didn't come out right," she apologized and I tell her, "No, that's okay. You're cute when you're flustered like that"
She blushed slightly and I'm left wondering if we really do have a chance.
"Well – " it was my turn now to wait.
There was an awkward silence between us before she finally answered.
"You're pushy"
"And you're stalling"
She rolled her eyes but then smiled.
"Yes"
My hearing didn't believe her at first so I repeated her answer in the form of a question.
"Yes?"
She smiled that intoxicating smile at me and nods.
"Not as a friend I hope," I comment hoping that I'm right.
She shook her head. "No, not just as a friend," she confirmed and my heart beats a mile per minute.
I exhaled a long breath. "Finally," I say. My reaction made her laugh and it became a great ice-breaker between us.
"I should get back," she says, standing up from her side of the couch but I grab her hand and say softly, "Please don't." I pleaded with my eyes for her to stay a bit longer.
She pulled her hand away and another silent moment passed between us. She stepped closer to me and I look up into her eyes and I keep it there. She bent down and just as our lips are about to touch, she stops an inch away. "I really like you." She brushed her hand down my cheek. I can still feel her warmth even after she took it away. "And when I walk away like this – that also means 'I really really like you,'" she whispers to me before pulling away once again.
"I'll talk to you later?" she asks, standing now.
"Only if you promise me"
She grinned. "I don't make promises." She paused. "They're there to be broken," she says. I notice that she sounded like she was speaking from experience.
I take what I can get and I show her my understanding.
"But for you – " she restarted, surprising me again. "I promise"
When she disappeared, I stand up from the sofa and super speed a few miles away from campus and exclaim a "WHOO!" in the middle of the empty street. I'm so excited; I'm like a guy who just asked a girl on his very first date. I'm on a cool high right now. I should go back to bed now; I hear that sleeping makes the time go faster.
To be continued…