Counting Down with You(43)

“This is my girlfriend, Karina,” Ace says, taking my hand in his. Hearing those words come out of his mouth is still jarring, but I manage to keep my smile in place through sheer effort.

“Hi,” I say. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“She loves books,” Ace says slyly, ignoring me when I elbow him. “I think you’ll get along great.”

Genesis beams. “Do you want some recommendations? What do you like to read?”

I name some genres, and Genesis leads me away to an assortment of books on the second floor. Ace trails after us idly, and when he catches me looking at him, he winks. “Go wild, sweetie.”

“Is he paying?” Genesis asks. I nod, and she laughs. “Definitely rob him blind, Karina. He can afford it.”

I snort. “That’s excellent advice.”

“Actually, you know what? We’re in the process of adding a section on astronomy.” Genesis gestures for both of us to follow her. “Ace, you’ll want to see this.”

I tag along, my heart warm and content from being around books. The astronomy section turns out to be through a door, and when we come out on the other side, I stop in my tracks to stare. The entire room is set in darkness with lowlight fixtures in the shape of stars on the ceiling. Two displays make up most of the room, and half the book jackets glow in the dark.

I gasp when Genesis dials up the brightness. There are beautiful constellations painted on the walls and drawings of children hidden between them, chasing after the stars. But I’m focused on the book display. All the covers look untouched, with beautiful jackets illustrated in vivid detail. Depictions of moons, stars, planets, and the endless wonder of space are detailed across several of them.

“Gorgeous, right?” Genesis asks.

“Absolutely stunning,” I say, my voice full of hushed reverence.

Ace isn’t saying anything, so I glance to the side to see his reaction. Instead of looking at the room, he’s staring at me. He doesn’t look away when our gazes meet. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” he says softly.

I blink at him, my mouth suddenly dry. My heart starts racing, and I don’t know what to say, how to break this sudden silence. He’s looking at me in a way that no one ever has before.

“Teenage love,” Genesis says wistfully, her voice cutting through the tension like warm butter. I look away from Ace, my cheeks burning with such intense heat I’m surprised I’m not going up in flames.

“I’m going to go look at the books you mentioned before,” I say, my voice high-pitched, and I leave before either of them can reply.

I disappear into the shelves and take my phone out to text Nandini and Cora. guyssssss I think I’m on a real date with ace clyde !?????

Cora Zhang-Agreste:
W H A T
Nandini Kaur:
I wish this was surprising tbh I’m more curious what made you get your head out of your ass
Me:
well...he asked me to prom kind of??? but that’s not rlly relevant rn
Nandini Kaur:
!? WHAT
Cora Zhang-Agreste:
oh. my. GOD.
Me:
IT’S NOT LIKE I CAN GO ANYWAY IT’S WHATEVER
Cora Zhang-Agreste:
BITCH I’M FILING THE PROM PETITION RN
Nandini Kaur:
omw to sign it cora expect me in 5
Me:
omg STOP I doubt I can go
Me:
but anyway listen. so. idk ace took me to a bookstore today right
Cora Zhang-Agreste:
...............nandini. nandini I can’t do this with her
Cora Zhang-Agreste:
I know karina is oblivious but this is TOO MUCH
Me:
LISTEN TO ME
Me:
we were in this fancy room thing or whatever and it was beautiful and it was that stupid meme where it’s like the stars are beautiful outside u know the one
Nandini Kaur:
AND HE SAID YOU WERE MORE BEAUTIFUL? BROOOO
Me:
not exactly but yes kind of IDK IM PANICKING WHAT DO I DO I THOUGHT THIS WAS ALL A PART OF HIS FAKE DATING THING BUT WHAT IF IT’S NOT
Nandini Kaur:
you’re definitely on a date. pls take pics and post them on IG
Me:
I’m NOT posting pictures of ace on instagram are you OUT OF IT????
Nandini Kaur:
your instagram is on priv it’s not a big deal!!
Cora Zhang-Agreste:
if u don’t post them I’ll post *this* conversation to my story... :)
Me:
you wouldn’t...
Nandini Kaur:
have you MET cora? yes tf she will
Me:
oh my god I hate this you’re both so chaotic
Me:
I have to go he’s gonna see me on my phone bye DON’T POST ANYTHING
I tuck my phone away and lean my head against a bookshelf, wondering if I’ve truly lost the plot of my own life.

Eventually, I decide I need to do something to occupy myself, otherwise I’m going to start screaming. There are children meandering around, so that’s probably not the best option.

I wander through the aisles, scanning for specific titles. Once I have five, I sit down at one of the tables and crack open a retelling of Much Ado About Nothing.

This should be distracting enough.

I’m two chapters in when a shadow looms over me. I look up, trying to ignore the way my palms suddenly feel sweaty. Instead of meeting the reproachful gaze I expect, Ace is smiling down at me.

“Did you get the books you wanted?” he asks.

I nod, gesturing to my stack. Words feel hard right now. I still don’t know what to say to him, but I’m grateful he’s not making it weird between us.