Page 51 of Spring Awakening

He’s not supposed to be falling in love with her, but he will. He can see it as clearly as he sees the birds in the sky. He’ll fall in love with her.

“Hi,” he replies. Frankie snorts, and Ezra looks at her, which Zach thinks is his greeting. Mali ignores them both, her hands high like she’s about to touch him, but then she doesn’t. He tries not to pout.

“I’m going to Frank’s—wait, are your ears bad?”

“Oh,” he replies, feeling self-conscious for the first time in ages, but she looks concerned. She talks again before he can formulate a proper answer.

“I did a first-aid course last week and practiced so I wouldn’t pass out if you need help,” she says, like that’s a casual thing to do. “I can tape them later.”

“Thanks,” he says, with a smile. He notices her hands are still floating like she was going to touch him, but she didn’t. He stares at them as she tries to flick her hair out of her face, and what the hell. He flips his hands so they’re palm up and presses his fingertips to hers. She spins to look at him, her eyes wide as she drops her gaze, then flexes her fingers against his. They’re not holding hands, but it’s somewhere close.

“What were you going to say?”

“Oh. Frank, do you live with your parents, or are we going to their place?”

“I live with them. I’m moving out in the summer.”

“Finally,” Ezra replies.

“Don’t hate me ’cause you ain’t me. Jealous littlebbecause I pay no rent and you’re sobbing in that townhouse.”

“Maybe.”

“And you’re at home so often you may as well live there.”

“I like being fed,” Ezra says, lying flat on the grass and closing his eyes.

“Okay,” Mali says with a laugh. She flexes her fingers again. “Uhm, I’m going to Frankie’s parents’ house for dinner tomorrow. So, you can eat the lasagna.” Zach smiles. She could have told him this later, or through text. He’s going to pretend she missed him.

“Actually, I’m also going,” Zach replies. “Wait, am I being fed?”

“Depends if you blow their house up,” Frankie replies, as Ezra says, “Obviously.”

“Wait, what?” Mali asks, her eyes hopeful. “You’re going too?”

“Yeah. I’m fixing some stuff for them.”

“Oh, yay,” she replies, with a genuine smile, like him following her around all day isn’t something that makes her wanna rip her hair out. He slides his fingers against hers until they reach her wrists, then pulls her closer.

“What do you want for dinner tonight?”

“We should have something from the fridge,” she groans, and Zach never thought he’d care for something so domestic. He thought he’d spend most of this life surviving on microwave meals and leftovers from his mum’s kitchen. The thought of being excited to make dinner for someone and then spend the evening with them doing absolutely nothing is not something that ever crossed his mind before. Now, he can’t wait.

“Spag bol?”

“Yes.”

Zach laughs at the definitiveness of her answer. “’Ight. What you doin’ now?”

“Ignoring my emails because Tradios won’t leave me alone and someone…” She looks over at Ezra, who does at least have enough good sense to look sheepish. “…is ruining my life.”

“Want me to kill him?” Zach asks, and Mali laughs hard as Ezra grumps.

Her fingers rub against his wrists, and he shivers lightly. “What are you doing? Why isn’t practice on?”

“Good question. Mal!” Frankie replies, and Zach wonders if she’s going to oust him and his ridiculous crush. “Wanna help me run drills? I dunno where the champs are from last season, but they’re not on the pitch today.”

“Oh my God,” she squeals. “Yes!” Frankie gives her a whistle, and it means she drops his hands, but he can’t complain, not when she jumps around blowing the whistle way too many times.

---