"Do you want to walk down to the water with me?"

I looked up at Glenn from the opening of my tent. I'd barely even left it and he was already pouncing on the opportunity to talk to me. This development made me feel warm, but I tried not to show it in case he really just wanted to walk down to the water and would have taken anyone with him.

"Sure."

He smiled at me. "Got your voice back, huh?"

"Yeah," I replied. "Taking it slow, though. Don't want to do too much damage all at once."

He nodded, then led the way. I stared intently at the back of his head. We were heading to a secluded area. That dawned on me as we reached the halfway mark. If I wanted to set things straight, figure out where he thought this was going, this would be the time.

I felt my throat locking up already.

"You usually go in the city alone, right?" I asked him, trying to get a conversation going. "Isn't that pretty risky?"

He smiled at my inquiry. "I guess it could be, but I know what I'm doing. Most of the time. And hey, I managed to save you, right?"

I tried to suppress my smile as we drew closer to the water.

"Thanks again for that."

"Don't mention it. It was probably one of the best things I've ever done, anyway."

I stared at him after he said that. What did that mean? Was he happy he saved someone or happy he saved me in particular? This was exactly why I needed to sort this out. I couldn't stand not knowing if he meant things in a romantic sense or not.

"Okay, Glenn, look..." I shut my eyes while speaking. I didn't want to look at him while I embarrassed myself, but I knew I had to. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes. I wished I hadn't said anything all, though, because my heart was racing and I could barely figure out what to say next. "You're... You're a really nice guy..."

What was I doing. Really nice guy? Really? That was the best I could come up with? Really nice guy. Thinking about it even hurt my feelings. I couldn't even begin to imagine how he felt hearing that.

His body spoke for him, though, and he stepped backward. His entire stance changed. And the expression on his face filled me with regret.

"I'm sorry, I didn't- That came out wrong, I-"

"Don't." He started, emotion I couldn't quite grasp filling his voice. He stopped himself, then tried again. "I... I get it. It's fine. Forget it. Let's just go back."

He turned and started walking. Perplexed, I jumped forward to stop him. My hand rested on his shoulder but he jerked away.

"I don't think we're on the same page," I managed. "I don't think you understand what I was-"

Glenn sighed, then turned to face me. His voice was calm, but his eyes were pained. "Look, I've heard this before. I know how it goes. Just forget about it."

I was getting anxious. "I'm not saying what you think I'm saying!"

He stared at me like I was putting him under extreme duress. He looked exhausted and I didn't blame him.

"What else could you possibly mean when you start out with 'you're a nice guy, but...'"

"I never said 'but.'"

"It was coming."

I frowned. "Glenn I can't-" I touched my throat. "I can't talk like this much longer."

"You don't have to," He said, looking away. "Let's just go."

"I don't want to go."

"Fine, I'll go."

"I don't want you to go either." I was doing this wrong, that much was clear to me, but I had no idea how to do it right. Back with the other kids, they'd just casually make a pass at the other person then walk off to have sex. Somehow I doubted that would fly in that particular situation. "I know I'm not making sense, but... just listen, okay?"

His eyes lingered on me for a brief moment before he sighed. "Okay."

"Okay," I repeated, nodding. "Okay."

I took a deep breath. Better do it quick, like ripping off a bandaid.

"I think... that you're..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I think that you're gorgeous."

Pause.

"What?"

I grimaced. I didn't want to have to repeat myself, especially when I felt beyond embarrassed.

"Gorgeous?" I repeated, almost unsure now. "I think that you're... you know... Gorgeous."

He didn't say anything and I began regretting bringing it up at all. There was a reason people normally didn't do this and I was starting to understand why. I used to always get angry at the TV when the character was in love but never bothered to tell the other person. But I knew why, now. It was absolutely terrifying.

"Okay," I said quickly, starting to walk past him. "Let's just go back and forget I said anything."

I tried walking quickly but he caught up with me in a heartbeat. He seemed genuinely confused and I couldn't fault him for it.

"If you think that, why did you say you weren't interested?" He was right beside me now, walking in step with ease.

"I didn't."

"Then what was that?"

I squeezed my eyes shut. Whispering, I admitted defeat. "I was trying to ask if you were interested."

"Me?" He repeated, as though it were absurd. "Why would you have to ask? I thought I was being obvious."

He shook his head, then added, "Too obvious, actually. I thought the whole "nice guy" thing was your way of telling me to back off."

"There's a reason I don't talk much."

He breathed a sigh of relief and approached the water, staring out across it.

"Eden?"

I walked over to join him in front of the edge of the water. He turned to look at me.

"That was one of the worst conversations I've ever had."

I winced. "Sorry."

"You owe me about a hundred good ones, now," he said, grinning now. I realized he was joking and relaxed.

"I'll do my best," I said. I felt his hand snake around my arm, his fingers fitting between mine.

"Good," He said. "I'm looking forward to it."