I stared at my phone after sending the message, my thumb hovering slightly over the screen.
How about that date?
The more I looked at it, the more unnecessary it started to feel.
Maybe I only sent it because I needed a distraction. Maybe I just wanted something lighter to focus on after everything that happened earlier. Either way, suddenly the message felt impulsive enough to make me want to take it back.
I was already about to delete it when my phone buzzed immediately.
"Seriously, you want to go on a date with me?
I blinked slightly at the message.
He sounded genuinely excited. Not fake excited either. Actually happy.
Before I could even reply, my phone started ringing.
Jay.
I stared at his name for half a second before answering.
"Hey," I said quietly.
"Hey."
The smile in his voice was obvious immediately.
There was a small pause before he spoke again.
"Are you serious about the date?"
I leaned back slowly against my pillow, holding the phone closer to my ear.
"Yeah ,I am."
Another pause followed, like he still needed a second to believe it.
"You're serious?" he asked again, sounding almost shocked.
I laughed softly despite myself. "How many times do you want me to say yes?"
"As many times as possible honestly. God, you don't know how long I've been waiting"
That made me shake my head slightly, smiling before I could stop myself.
"I couldn't go that night because of the party."
"yeah I understand" he replied immediately. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?"
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me. "Drama king."
"You asked me on the date, Anna. I deserve to enjoy this moment."
I laughed again, quieter this time, and for some reason hearing him sound that happy made my chest feel warm.
The conversation softened after that, settling naturally into something easy.
Then after a few seconds he said, "You sound tired though."
I stared at the ceiling for a second before replying.
"I'm okay, just been a bit tired lately… maybe it's because I miss you."
The words slipped out before I could properly think about them.
And the silence that followed immediately made my eyes widen slightly.
Oh my God.
I pulled the phone away from my ear for half a second like that would somehow undo what I just said, my face already getting hot.
Then Jay laughed softly, but this time it sounded different.
Not teasing.
More surprised than anything.
"Wait," he said slowly. "Did Anna just admit she misses me willingly?"
I covered part of my face with my hand immediately even though nobody could see me.
"Please shut up."
"No, because I need a moment," he continued dramatically. "I wasn't prepared for this."
I could literally feel myself blushing harder.
"You're so annoying."
"You miss me," he replied immediately, sounding way too pleased with himself.
I turned onto my stomach, pressing my face into my pillow for a second before speaking again.
"Maybe I take it back."
"Nope. Too late. It's permanently in my memory now."
I laughed softly against the pillow.
"You're actually acting ridiculous over one sentence."
"One sentence?" he repeated. "Anna, you basically just changed my entire week."
That made my chest tighten slightly in the softest way possible.
I smiled without realizing it.
"You're dramatic."
"And you're cute when you're embarrassed."
"I'm not embarrassed."
"You absolutely are."
I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me, but he was right and somehow that only made it worse.
Then he said, softer this time, "You have no idea how happy that just made me."
The teasing in his voice faded a little after that sentence, and suddenly everything felt quieter between us in a good way.
Warm.
Comfortable.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear while staring absentmindedly at the wall.
"So," he said eventually, sounding lighter again, "what are you wearing for this date?"
I laughed immediately. "Why are you so obsessed with my outfit?"
"Because I need preparation."
"For my clothes?"
"Yes," he said seriously. "I need to know whether I'm surviving this date or not."
I shook my head slowly, smiling again.
"I don't know yet."
"Are you sure? I could get you a dress though" he said concerned
"Nope , I'm okay. I'll find something to wear, but I'm not telling you , it's a surprise "
"You know I love you right? Even if you won't say it back , which I totally understand"
My breath caught slightly at how casually he said it. Obviously it wasn't the first time he said it , but this was the first time I actually accepted it.
I stayed quiet for a second and he laughed softly again.
"You disappeared."
"I'm still here," I replied quietly.
"Good."
That one word settled somewhere softly in my chest.
"I'mma go to bed now , I have class tomorrow " I said.
We said our goodnights and I cut the call.
I didn't want to feel bad but I did. I didn't text him because of the date , I texted because I needed a distraction.
And now I can't take it back, it'll hurt him.
He's a sweet boy, he's been a sweet boy right from the beginning.
Ugh why does he have to come back and ruin everything?
I drifted off to sleep because obviously if I go late to class , even jay won't be there to reserve a seat for me.
Even as I made my bed , one question kept lingering on my mind, after all this
Will he stay?