year

ni

towards our regular coffee shop d

down at me. He does that a lot, like he

hru

e is no way he would let me carry it by myself. "I saved up since when I was thirteen until I was fi

eel when you p

make a note, I can create music that will make people laugh, and music t

sic." He says with

with a questio

. I'm not even flattering when I say you're the

n Mr. Austi

better." He say

you say that." I say and

He says and I laugh again, shaking my head. "Do yo

an see how serious I am. "I want to go big and loud. I want everyone

er my own feet and trip. I would have gone crashing to the ground if his

ately and a sweet ache rushes though me and pools in my middle, throbbing in time with my heart. I need him to continue holding me up, because if he lets go of me now, I am not sure my knees will hold me up. The first raindrop lands on my nose, jerking me into myself, and then a light shower begins, falling light

d looks in the direction of the Chinese re

there." He say

ith each passing second. What was that? Did I im

ladies, ladies born from backgrounds like his, like Becca from our class. She is what writers have in mind when they describe princesses, from the blond hair t

are just friends, we both know that. I don't want to be one of those girls that assume t

iend, frie

Perhaps if I say it oft

e pulls it open and then he holds it open

are you hovering by the door? Did you change your mind about the lunch? Are you waiting for s

hat he was holding the door open for

is exquisite manners. It is something he does because it is most natural for him to do so. Su

rds the back where our usual table sits empty. Since we started frequenting this place, I h

k on me and the glint in his eyes tell

t to order?" He

tried it before or not. Last week, I made him eat large curried snails and spaghetti. To say he was horrified by the snails is an understa

now?"

rts of the world eat frogs

w it. I knew I wasn't

y voice dripping

ds sa

tes like chick

en." I

I think of a way to wiggle out of thi

en it yourself?" I

e says wi

He is plenty competitive, I am

icides are illegal and forbi

lue-black and the shadows cast on his face are very flattering. My heart tries to beat its way out of my chest once again, and I almost press a hand to it to mak

mes to a stop

your order

. "We will be taking today's special. But I wan

ses. "Did you say fr

. "Yes. Frogs. Will that

e waiter says an

te to change you

en?" He asks,

t this man will ruin me. Beca