Page 37 of Campus Crush
Instead, I let my hand fall away, slowly, like I was trying not to spook her.
Her throat bobbed, and she looked away first, breaking the spell. “You’re different outside of tutoring,” she said after a moment, like she needed to fill the quiet.
“Yeah? Better or worse?”
Her lips twitched and her eyes filled with a playfulness that I was quickly growing addicted to. “Still deciding.”
I chuckled. “Fair. Let me know what I need to do to earn brownie points and I’ll do it.”
Her cheeks flushed the prettiest shade of pink. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Sam was still looking at the art prints and Gordy was watching her attentively.
“Wanna take a seat while they shop?”
“Sure.”
We ended up at the edge of the field again, near a half-shaded spot under a tree. It wasn’t exactly private, but it felt removed enough.
She sat first and tucked her legs underneath her while I dropped down beside her, resting my arms on my knees and pretending like I wasn’t still buzzing from our almost kiss.
“I wish I remembered,” I said before I could think the words through.
“Remembered what?”
“Freshman year.”
“The night we kissed?” she asked, her voice quiet.
I nodded. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since you told me. I remember…flashes. I remember being in myroom, the party, someone laughing in my ear. I remember music. But not the kiss, and I hate that I don’t. Especially now.”
She looked over at me, her expression unreadable. “Why now?”
I held her gaze. “Because if I could go back, I wouldn’t waste it. I wouldn’t drink myself stupid. I’d remember every second.”
Her eyes widened, and for a breathless moment, she didn’t speak. Her lips parted slightly, like she was going to say something—but then she looked away again.
“I should probably find Sam,” she said, pushing herself to her feet.
I stood with her, not wanting the moment to end but knowing it had to.
She looked up at me. “Thanks for hanging out. This was nice.”
“Anytime, Abby.”
I meant it.
Something had shifted between us today and it gave me hope.
Later that night…
PeachyKeen:
Bear, I need a distraction.
Know any good Stardew mods that keep you from making stupid romantic choices?
BigBear88:
