It only lasted a second. A second until I realized that I was making it harder for him to get over me. I gently pushed him away.

“I’m sorry, Charlie. It’ll take some time to get over you.” He spared a sad smile before letting me go and leaving.

“Goodbye,” I said as I watched his retrieving back.

***

“‘Eyo, hoe!” Groaning at the familiar voice, I strut to the kitchen. “Why is my food not ready?” Honestly, I let you into my abode with open arms and you don’t even give me respect? This is why you don’t get dates. “Were you crying? What the hell Charles? ‘The hell were you crying about?” Suddenly a ding is heard coming from his phone. He reads whatever text it was and looks up at me surprised. He wraps his arms around me tightly and pats my head. “I’m sorry, Ems just told me what happened. But Charles, you don’t have to cry over stuff like that. People can be assholes, alright? Don’t let it get to you,” Tate explains in hopes to comfort me.

“You know, for the little shit you are, you can be surprisingly empathetic,” I remark.

“Oh, I try, big bro.” Tate lets his arms drop to his sides and sits down at the island. “So, where’s my food?” He asks this with a total serious demeanor but, for some reason, is also sporting a pout.

Gah, he’s so adorable sometimes.

***

A few hours later, I decide to give Emily a call.

“Uh...Hey! Emily, sorry I ran out like that, I was a bit uncomfortable,” I start. I hear Emily’s ragged breathing through the receiver. She sounds out of breath.

“Charles! Are you okay? I feel so bad right now. I didn’t help you at all!” Emily pleads. I chuckle. Emily has always been the type to take the blame for everything.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to berate yourself over it. Anyway, what happened after I left?” I ask her.

“Oh, right! Okay, so, you know the hot helper from Biology. Apparently, after you left, he came asking for you, saying that you almost knocked him over. He asked if you were alright. Charles, I think he likes you!!!” Emily continues to fangirl for a few seconds before managing to calm down.

“Come on, Emily! He only asked if I was alright, nothing more, nothing less.” Emily mumbles something indecipherable over the speaker. “And he barely knows me. He’s only just met me today, and it was only for about an hour that I was in the same room as him!” I explain.

“Yeah but-” she starts.

“-Moving on from that topic, how did you lose your voice in an hour?” Emily proceeds to go on about how she was with her friends talking about the hot helper and creating a ship name for us. As much as i’m flattered, I’m not into strangers like that. Sure he’s hot and stuff, but I wouldn’t get into a relationship with him. Maybe I knew him better, but for now, not really.

“Oh my God, Charles, so, after you left, there was this announcement saying that classes were cancelled tomorrow. Tomorrow, we’re going to the mall.” She quickly hangs up before I can reply and I let out a sigh.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.