Page 8 of His Shy Girl

Her hair isn’t stringy at all. It’s long and silky and runs halfway down her back. And it’s red. My favorite color. The Irish look has always been my type. Fair skin. Bronze freckles. Green eyes. Although, her eyes may be blue. It’s hard to tell from this light, but from here they look like sea glass. Crystal clear. Absolutely gorgeous. Everything about her is gorgeous. Even her white T-shirt and jeans are sexy. Simple. Understated. Exactly like the girl I’ve come to know.

Willow turns back toward her cart, pushing it down the aisle to the end, and I’m caught in a trance, admiring her backside like it’s a Dickens novel. A work of beauty. Round. Plump. Meaty enough for me to sink my fingers into. Accentuated by the curve of her hips. The way her waist tapers in—just like an hourglass. She’s definitely petite. A perfect little package that I could pick up and carry right out of here.

She stops again, picking up another book, looking at the number on the side and then scans the shelf to find its home. She tucks it between two books and then turns in my direction. I do an about-face, not wanting her to see me. I’m not ready to reveal myself yet. I wasn’t prepared forher. I don’t even know what I’m going to say now. All the words just got erased by her beauty.

“Does she have a boyfriend?” I ask the girl sitting at the table who’s now curiously watching me.

“Who? The Carburetor?” She looks back toward Willow. “Please tell me you’re not interested in her. That girl is weird.”And the girl before me is a bitch. I’m not just interested in Willow, I’m falling for her.

“How so?” I ask, curious as to what it is exactly that she thinks is weird about my girl, because the girl I’ve come to know is one of the coolest chicks I’ve ever met.

“Just go talk to her and you’ll see for yourself.”

Ihavebeen talking to her. Every day for almost a month. We’ve talked about everything. Willow gets me and my stupid sense of humor. I’ve never been more in tune with anyone. But the girl staring up at me with her Botox’d lips and fake eyelashes probably doesn’t understand the world of Kanturia or football player stats. Or how to hold a conversation without judgement running through her head. She’s probably too wrapped up in fashion trends and girl drama to see that Willow is a badass. What she thinks is weird, I think is amazing.

I look back towards the beautiful girl. She’s pushing the cart back into the librarian’s office, and that’s my cue to go. I need to take off before I’m spotted. I don’t want to shoot my shot and miss my chance with her. I need time to prepare. If I go up to her now, nothing but gibberish is going to come from my mouth. I’m completely struck, and I’m not willing to risk losing my chance with the one girl who looks like she walked straight out of my dreams.

7

Willow

Anotification pops up on my screen. Brennon’s left me another message in the game. As much as I wanted to log on and play with him this evening, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I hate the nervous feeling twisting in my gut, and the way I second-guess every little thing I say. It was so much easier when I thought he was a girl. I wouldn’t think twice. I’d type whatever I wanted, not caring what she thought. But now… I definitely care what he thinks of me.

Bren2025RB:Missed you today, my little tyrant. BTW, Rogers got injured so I had to pull him from my roster. Any recs on who to put in as a QB for this weekend? I’ve got a Benjamin riding on the game.

That’s easy. There’s only one quarterback on his fantasy team that’s marginally decent. Bren said he was rooting for the underdogs when he drafted his team, but he overestimated their abilities by a long shot.

Me:I’d put in Gafton. He’s the only one who stands a chance.

Not five seconds later, another notification is chiming in. I didn’t think he’d be on this late. I was kind of hoping I’d get to play for an hour to unwind my mind before I go to bed.

Bren2025RB:I was thinking the same thing on Gafton. Where have you been all night? I was hoping we could hang out.

Me:Told you I was staying late to help the librarian. And then I had to finish up my project for world history. Now, I’m studying for an exam.

It’s not a lie this time. I am studying…for a test that isn’t until next week. But what else am I going to do with all this free time now? And watching his old football videos is only making me more nervous. He’s so talented on the field. And when he talks to the cameras, his smile lights up the entire screen. He’s so well spoken and charismatic. Just seeing him in the recordings gives me butterflies. That deep voice pricks my arms with goose bumps every time I hear it. It sends little tingles all over my body.

Bren2025RB:Curious if you have plans Saturday night? Was thinking I could pick you up and take you to dinner. We could spend the night talking football or plan our next Kanturian battle. What do you say?

I say that as amazing as that sounds, it’s never going to happen. I will never be able to talk football with him face-to-face. Or talk to him about anything. I don’t even think I could form a thought while having to look into his gorgeous eyes.

Me:Thank you for asking, but I already have plans with my parents that night. We’re going downtown and seeing a Broadway show.

It’s not exactly a lie. I will be seeing a show, but it’s the matinee showing, which means we’ll be home by seven.

Bren2025RB:Okay, so what about Sunday? We can go to your favorite pizza shop or see the new Gremlins movie. Whatever you’re up for. I really just want to be able to talk to you in person instead of over this screen. Heck, I’d come by right now if you’d let me.

Come here? Now? No! That’s a terrifying idea. Just the thought has my throat constricting.

I don’t understand why he’s being so persistent. Hasn’t he taken the hint yet? I’ve already turned him down twice. That’s why I’ve been barely logging on to play anymore, because I know he’s going to inevitably ask if we can meet up. And I feel like I’m running out of excuses. I’m trying to keep him as a friend, but I don’t know if that’s going to be possible anymore. Not unless I draw the line in the sand once and for all.

Me:I really don’t think it’s a good idea. For all I know you could be an old man acting like a teenager, just trying to lure in young girls. That picture you sent me could be something you got off the internet.

Although, I know that’s not the case because there are enough videos out there to prove that he is very real. And very gorgeous. And I was able to confirm that he will definitely be playing for Arizona next year.

Bren2025RB:Hold on one sec.

The seconds tick by and my nerves hold on to every single one of them for dear life. My computer finally dings in with a message and there he is. His smiling face, and in his hand is a piece of notebook paper that says, “Please go out with me, Willow. I promise I’m not an old creeper.”

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