Cool fall nights are one of my favorite times of the year. The air was crisp and smelled like fallen leave and apples. The grass would crunch under our sneakers and our noses were red.

Justin and I hadn’t talked since we left Tyler’s. I didn’t know if he was mad or just embarrassed from the last conversation. 

“I’m sorry if we made you uncomfortable” I said sticking my hands in my pockets. 

“Don’t be sorry. I’m just awkward, not uncomfortable. I actually had a lot of fun tonight” 

My heart almost jumped out of my chest. “I knew you would obviously” trying to play it off like I wasn’t fighting the urge to fist pump and hug him. “I’m always so much fun to be around. Plus, Tyler……” 

“Yeah, you really are” Justin said quietly but I kept rambling off and totally missed it. 

“… now we can hang out all the time and I won’t be a third wheel anymore.” 

“So, you think those bozos like each other too?”

“Oh please they are so obvious. You could cut their tension with a machete” I said giggling. I finally felt more relaxed and warmer. I wrapped my arm around Justin again as we walked. “Does this mean I get your number so you can join our little group of goons?”

I wiggled my phone out in front of him. “Maybe. If you promise to be nice to me and follow our three-squeeze rule.” He said with the same amount of sass I was giving him

“It’s a deal handsome”

“Soooooo who’s the crush? Is it someone we had class with last year” I know I should let it drop but my curiosity wouldn’t settle. I was already fighting to get Dave and Tyler to be more honest with their feelings so why not try my luck again.

“Yeah, they were in that class” He tensed up like a board and shook my arm off himself.

He was walking a bit faster now.

“If it’s one of those bratty princesses I might lose my shit on you dude” I warned playfully. It wasn’t a total joke, if he liked someone who tormented me for a year, I wouldn’t be very pleased. It’s not my decision who my friends date so I’d have to just deal with it. 

“No way. Um they were always super sweet, spunky and nice.”

“Is that your type then?”

“Maybe. I’ve never dated anyone or really had crushes.”

“What’s different about them? Are they stacked or just really hot?” I was trying to pin point who in our class it could’ve been. Since he dropped his friend group they probably weren’t in it. Pretty much everyone else was a nightmare to be around. Spunky and sweet wasn’t a combo many of them had. 

“I like their eyes and smile. The way they laugh makes me feel so at peace. They always make sure to check on me too” This boy was so embarrassed he couldn’t even look at me anymore as we began to reach his house.

“They sound wonderful. I hope one day you tell me who they are because I don’t remember anyone from class like that. Then again I don’t really speak to them anymore” I said nudging his shoulder with mine.

“They really are wonderful. I just wanna get closer to them I guess”

“Do you think they like you back?” Seeing him like this was different for me. All of last year he had been brooding and scowling. He only dripped sarcasm and smiled with no teeth. It was basically just a smirk and raised eyebrow when others spoke to him. His outfits were more proper and tailored before as well. Now he looked softer and more relaxed. His head was at peace, and he seemed more playful. I liked this side of him much more. The emotions and care he put into words were strangely soothing. 

We reached his front door. He had his back to me as he spoke. “I don’t think so. They confuse me. They are flirty but it feels like a joke. Like they are playing with my head. Maybe they are just as oblivious as Tyler and Dave. I think I’ll just be their friend first.” 

“They are very lucky. I can tell you’re going to be a good friend to us.” I took a step closer to him. Inches from his back. “Aren’t you going in?” I asked breath on his neck.

He stiffened up again bouncing how Dave had after the game. This was my chance. I wrapped my arms around his middle and buried my face in his back shoulder. 

“Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me about them. Please keep being like this around me. I really want us to be good friends.” I don’t know where all those words came out. I already had two great friends, but it felt like they were pushing me away. 

I didn’t want to be alone again. I liked this new Justin. No one else besides those two bozos have ever trusted me or made me feel so at peace. Now they had each other and I was scared of being left behind.

Justin slowly relaxed and turned in my arms. He gave me a hug with the same intensity.

He smelled like caramel.  We just stood there for a minute.

“I promise I won’t go anywhere as long as you stay with me” he said in a hushed tone before looking me in the eyes. 

Then he jumped like someone had smacked him in the rear. Blushing he rushed out a goodbye “o-okay I’m going in now see you later Terrin”