My palms were still sweating even after the applause died down. Honestly, standing in front of the class for fifteen minutes was terrifying enough. But knowing my phone had been off the whole time? That was another level.
Somewhere in those fifteen minutes, Leon had either replied or he hadn't. And my entire brain was doing cartwheels trying to predict which.
"Great work, Grace," Professor Jarrad said as I slumped back into my seat.
"Thanks, sir," I mumbled, forcing a smile.
Kelly squeezed my hand under the desk. "You did amazing."
Amazing. She said so casual,Calm and Unbothered. Meanwhile, I was sweating, thinking, how is she keeping a straight face after everything earlier?
Class finally ended after everyone had finished presenting and Professor Jarrad graded. I didn't even pretend to pack slowly. I grabbed my phone and practically bolted into the hallway, my heart drumming faster than it had during the presentation.
Three notifications.Two from our class chat and one from Leon.
My stomach flipped,I opened it.
"I didn't want to answer this casually."My breath caught.
"So I'm going to say this clearly. If we're doing this, I'm not halfway in."
I didn't even realize I'd been holding my breath until I exhaled.
"I want you, Grace."
My fingers trembled. I flashed back to Kelly's tear-stained face and Shane, kissing someone else like she didn't exist. My brain screamed warning!, but my heart didn't a want to think so much of it in this situation.
I typed carefully.
"And if one day you get bored?"
Almost instantly, the typing bubble appeared. And then his reply dropped like a little bomb of joy.
"I had a whole year to get bored of our friendship, but every time I thought about it ,it's only more of you I keep wanting."
My heart did that fluttery thing. I may have squeaked. Definitely internally.
Then my phone rang, Leon calling.I stared at it. Okay, breathe.
"Hi," I said softly.
"First of all," he said, calm and serious, "you don't ask a question like that over text."
I couldn't help it. I laughed. "Why not?"
"Because you deserve to hear the answer properly."
Silence, not heavy.Just steady and safe.
"Grace," he continued, "I don't want you thinking I'd ever make you feel replaceable."
Replaceable. My stomach flipped.
"We both like to be fair to our partners," he added, gently, like he could read my thoughts. "I'm not going to be like your ex. I don't play with people I care about. And I care about you."
I blinked like he could see me. "You care about me?"
"Yes, I do." Leon said calmly and I could hear the sincerity in his voice.
"Being my girlfriend," he continued, "it is me caring and being there for you always."
Something inside me melted. For the first time all day, love didn't feel scary. It felt like safe and maybe that was even better.
"So..." I whispered, my heart racing. "What are we?"
He chuckled. "You're my girlfriend, Grace. Or my woman, if you prefer."
I grinned. "I'll take it."
"And now I can call you babe, baby, or whatever I want without it feeling weird?" he teased.
"Sure," I said, shy but smiling. "That's what people in relationships do, right?"
My cheeks were warm,this doesn't feel like a normal relationship. It feels so different, Innocent and Exciting. Like we're both discovering something like this for the first time.
"So,how was your presentation, babe?" he asked.
My heart did that flutter again when he mentioned "babe".
"It'll take me a while to get used to being this loved up here but I like it," I admitted, cheeks red.
"I've been dying to call you all those cute names," he said cheerfully. "Wouldn't hesitate now that it's my right."
"You're right. My presentation went well, even though I was thinking about us the whole time," I confessed.
"I knew it would go well, you're way too smart," he replied.
I kept blushing like a new bride. Honestly I love this feeling.
"Thanks for believing in me," I said softly.
"My shifts are crazy. I'd have loved a date tonight, but I promise we'll make it happen soon," he said.
I wasn't ready to meet him yet. I needed to process this first.
"That's fine. I'm here whenever you're ready, my girls are having a sleepover tonight, so I'd have company tonight," I fibbed lightly.
"That's perfect. My girl wouldn't be alone," he said.
"Yeah. Well I should go now, my next class is starting in few minutes, but I'll call on lunch break."
" Alright my love.Take care, babes," he said.
I tried typing "I love you" but held back and cleared the chat. I guess overthinking ruins vibes.
"Thanks,Take care too." I typed.
He quickly said "I love you." And the line went dead.
My heart raced faster than ever. He noticed I held back, I knew it.
Now I had the whole day to decide if I was all in or still playing the "I don't know" game.
Class ended, and I met Becca and Kelly at The Ave. It was quieter than the campus dining hall, and the smell of coffee and fresh fries hit me instantly. Our orders were ready instantly, burgers, fries and milkshakes.
I hadn't realized I was starving until I saw it.
"Hey girls, how was classes? Except the first we took all together," I asked, grabbing my burger.
"It was fine," Becca muttered. She obviously hates school, but she has to.
"I wish I had understood anything today," Kelly said.
"I know, girl. If I were you, I wouldn't even make it to class," I said, trying to comfort her.
"Honestly, girl," Becca agreed.
"Let's eat, then maybe hit the cinema," Kelly suggested.
"I was thinking a sleepover at Becca's, her boyfriend's out of town," I said.
"Yesss!" they cheered.
"Thank goodness. I thought you'd say no,It's been a while we had any sleep over," I said.
"You'll get in a relationship soon, and then you'll understand why we barely do that now," Becca teased.
"Don't say will, you can say I'm in one already," I replied, smirking.
"Should we just club it to celebrate?" Kelly asked, bouncing in her seat.
"Girl,you just want to get drunk," I laughed.
"Something like that," she admitted.
"Let's hit the supermarket and fix everything at home," I suggested.
"Perfect," they agreed instantly.