The Songs in Our Hearts: A Young Adult Romance(34)

“I’m gonna walk home,” Micah told me. “Thanks for dinner and the movie.”

I felt bad. He was going to walk to the Greensboro Trax? I wanted to offer him to stay longer, but I didn’t want to sound desperate. I was not desperate.

“You’re welcome,” I replied as he wandered to the front door. “I can ask Josh to drive—”

“Nah, I’d rather walk. The leaves are falling; the air is just right.” He lifted his hand in farewell.

I grabbed a slice of pizza out of the Ziploc bag and took a big bite out of that heavenly-made crust.

If I couldn’t express my feelings, at least I’d eat them.





“This Town”

Niall Horan





RACHEL: I wanted to know if you would like to attend a youth group function with me?



RACHEL: It’s happening on Friday. Would you want to come?



CHARLIE: Does it involve ice-hockey again? X_X lol



CHARLIE: That was kinda awesome last time.



RACHEL: No, sadly! Haha! We’re hosting a dance at the fire hall.



RACHEL: The money we raise is to benefit veterans.



RACHEL: Wanna go?



CHARLIE: Sure! I’ll have to ask, but yeah!



RACHEL: Great! I was hoping you’d say yes!



RACHEL: Open invites to anyone you might want to bring along!



CHARLIE: I’m not asking Josh lol! :P



RACHEL: I’m not talking about Josh, silly.



RACHEL: :P





I lay back in bed, rereading Rachel’s texts. Of course she meant Micah. There was no mistake. But, ask Micah to a dance? I could feel my cheeks heat up at the thought.





CHARLIE: I don’t think I’ll be asking anyone to go, but thanks!



RACHEL: You should! It’s very normal to hang out with friends.



CHARLIE: I’ll be hanging out with you.



RACHEL: Samantha is just one person, Charlie. Let her talk…



RACHEL: Bring someone and have fun.



RACHEL: Don’t let her stop you.



RACHEL: Plus, I like the way you smile when he’s around.



CHARLIE: Who? I don’t smile around Micah.



RACHEL: Yes, you do ^_^ It’s a nice change.



CHARLIE: I don’t really like him, you know that, right?



CHARLIE: Sam is just saying I like him… It’s a lie.



RACHEL: Whatever you have to tell yourself, Charlie. lol



CHARLIE: I’m serious!



RACHEL: I’ll see you and Micah at the dance on Friday. Nite!





I lowered my phone and stared up at the ceiling. Who was I fooling? I did like Micah. Rachel saw it; Jennifer saw it. Did he? I lay there, contemplating. What if he was like this with other girls? What if he only wanted to spend time with me because of the project? What if he just felt bad for me…?

Then I heard another ding from my phone. I held my breath as I hoped to see his name appear. Sure enough….





MICAH: Whatcha doin’





I smiled, swiping my finger along the touch screen, opening up the message to reply.





CHARLIE: Sleeping. Like a normal human being.



MICAH: Ur failing.



MICAH: Ur replying to me.



CHARLIE: What are you doing right now?



MICAH: Just got off the phone w/ Paul.



MICAH: He’s gonna start building 2morrow.



CHARLIE: Oh wow! Great!



MICAH: Guess we should start rehearsing.



CHARLIE: HA! We have to get it approved by Mrs. Tenner first.



MICAH: I already turned in a copy.



MICAH: She gave it the OK.



CHARLIE: When did you do that??



MICAH: Uhhhhhh…? The other day?



CHARLIE: Oh. You didn’t say anything.



MICAH: Sorry. Just forgot.



MICAH: So Paul and Marshall are having a bonfire on Friday.



MICAH: Wanna tag along?





I stared at the screen, frozen. Was Micah asking me out? But Rachel…? My gut twisted as I tried to think of how to phrase that I already had plans. I didn’t want him to think I was saying no.





MICAH: Hello????? Did u fall asleep?



CHARLIE: Rachel is having a dance to support the veterans on Friday.



CHARLIE: I already said I’d go.



MICAH: Gotcha.



CHARLIE: Would you…want to go to that?



CHARLIE: We could go to the bonfire afterwards?



MICAH: R u asking me to go to a dance?



CHARLIE: I’m asking if you’d like to hang out.



MICAH: It’s all in the wording isn’t it? lol