Page 23 of Spoonful

“Fuck,” Jaylin hissed staring down at his phone. He didn't need this. Served him right, thinking he could get away with–

“Everything okay?”

Jaylin startled and swung around to see Hiro looking at him with concern, the car parked in a lot.No, no, no.“Fine,” he said quickly. “I’m fine, I just–I forgot about a prior commitment. I’m so sorry. I-I need to get going. I’m sorry.”

Hiro nodded slowly, and Jaylin couldn't read his expression. “Do you want a ride?”

Jaylin choked. Right, Hiro had heard him fuckinglieabout being at the library. “That’s–that’s okay, you’ve already driven all the way here–” And now Jaylin was just peacing out on him,fuck–“I’m really sorry,” he said miserably.

“It’s okay,” Hiro said after a too-long second. “Really, Jaylin, it’s fine. I can drive you.” He started up the engine again as Jaylin stared at him. “The campus library?”

Jaylin wished there was a hole nearby he could crawl into. “Y-yeah.”

“Okay,” Hiro said. “We’re not too far. Just about ten minutes. Okay?”

“Thanks,” Jaylin whispered, feeling so, so small.

They pulled out of the parking lot, but the drive was now silent, all of Jaylin’s previous enthusiasm completely drained out of him. “I’m sorry,” he said again after several minutes, unable to take it. He knew Hiro was upset. Jaylin just wanted to get it over with.

“Jaylin, it’s okay,” Hiro said again. “We can—we can go next time.”

“Next time?” Jaylin asked hesitantly.

“If you want there to be one,” Hiro said. “Then yeah. Of course.”

“I want there to be,” Jaylin burst out. “I-I’m free tomorrow. After Aditi. Unless that’s too soon, or you’ve already got plans, or—”

“Tomorrow would be great,” Hiro said with feeling. “What time are you done with Aditi?”

“Usually around ten-thirty,” Jaylin said.

“I can do ten-thirty. Unless you want some time to decompress after tutoring?”

“No!” Jaylin licked his lips, nervous energy thrumming through him. “No, that’s… that’s great. If that’s okay.”

“Then ten-thirty tomorrow,” Hiro said with a smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Jaylin had no idea why Hiro would be, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He tried to smile back,fiddling with the loose thread on the pocket of his coat and then blanched. Hiscoat.

He came to this realization just as Hiro’s car slid to a stop in front of the campus library, and Jaylin was unbuckling and scrambling out of his coat before he could think about it.

Hiro looked alarmed. “Jaylin, what–?”

“He doesn’t like this coat,” Jaylin said, shoving it off even as his teeth started to chatter. “Could you just hold onto it for me? Since I’ll see you tomorrow. If… if you still want to see me.”

Hiro stared at him as Jaylin vibrated with anxiety. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet. “He doesn’t like this coat?”

“It’s–it’s nothing,” Jaylin said desperately. “I just–” he fumbled for the door handle. “I’m sorry, I have to go, I’ll see you tomorrow? Or… or just text me if you want to cancel or–”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Hiro said, eyes still on Jaylin’s balled-up coat. He lifted his head. “But Jaylin–”

Jaylin stilled, door half open, shivering as a gust of wind blew right through him. “Yeah?”

Hiro’s lips tightened as he watched Jaylin, and Jaylin couldn't even imagine what he saw. “Just… just text me? When you get home safe tonight. Okay?”

Jaylin could promise that much for all he had put Hiro through today. Even if he wasn't sure he’d actually be going home tonight. “Okay. Y-yeah, I’ll text you. Um. Thank you for the ride.”

“It’s no trouble,” Hiro said. “Be safe.”

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