Pulsing circus

The phone rested comfortably in his large hand. His eyes were locked at the three dots jumping one after another. His jaw tight as he anticipated the replay. What would she say? Would she finally get the hint or would she keep on living in her fantasy world? Geez, for a girl as smart as her, she sure was dense from time to time.

His phone buzzed and snapped out of his thoughts.

I'm sure you'll do just fine

Loudly he slapped his hand on the forehead. The music from the stage pulsed through the thin fabric. She sure was dense. She couldn't see a guy flirting his ass off if it was right in front of her. With all her degrees and smarts, she couldn't even get the hint he was interested in her more than a friend. Geez, did he have to spell it out to her or did she even know how to read? He was sure even then she wouldn't get the hint.

"Is Romeo frustrated at his Juliette?" Liz threw her arm around his shoulders and glanced down at his phone.

He rolled his eyes and showed the phone in pocket of his hoodie. "Shut up."

"You're blushing."

He knew it. His cheeks were burning hot and he pouted. "I said shut up."

"Just straight up ask her out if you want her. It's not that hard."

It was if you're dealing with Maka Albarn. "It's not that easy."

"Yes it is." She removed her arm and slapped her hands on his cheeks, directing his eyes back on hers. "Grow some balls and ask her out. Who knows? Tomorrow she might not be available."

He gave her a 'are you kidding me' look. If it was one person who wouldn't find a guy, it was her. With her record of staying at home for work, the only guy she would fall in love with was the pizza guy. And he was sure she wasn't into teenage boys with zits and braces.

"Okay. Maybe not." She mushed his cheeks together like his grandma always did when they met. "But just think how cute you two would look together. An asshole circus freak and a prestigious college professor. You don't see that often."

"Knock it off already with your wishful thinking." He ripped her hands off him. "She's just not interested." As soon as the words left his mouth, his heart sunk to the pit of his stomach with realization. Maybe she got the hints but she was too caring to reject his feelings. She didn't want to hurt him. His jaw tightened. It was something she would do. She was a woman who knew how to spit fire, but she had a heart made out of gold. He had grown a connection to her like no girl he'd dated before. She was… just Maka. There was no other woman like her.

"Or maybe her mom dropped her on her head?"

"Would you just stop?" he sneered.

She snickered and threw her arm once again around his shoulders. "Geez, getting your panties in a twist. You've changed."

"Just―" he unwrapped her arm from his shoulders. "Give me a minute."

An understanding smile grew on her face and she nodded. "Right. Keep it short. It's soon our turn."

He grinned toward her before she turned on her heel and headed toward the entrance of the stage. He retrieved the phone from his pocket. He unlocked it and found the picture of Maka he'd taken staring back at her with her phone number underneath it. But what if she just didn't get the hints? Maybe she was just dense and he had read the situation all wrong? He liked her and there was no use in playing it safe or guessing. Laying the cards on the table was what he needed. If she didn't like him, that would suck, but he'd get over it. Better now than later when the rejection would sting more.

He inhaled deeply to calm his racing heart. His thumb tapped the picture and he moved the phone to his ear.

No turning back. It's now or never.