Thomas sits quiet as a church mouse next to me as I sit next to him on the couch. I can feel everyone's beady eyes on me as if we are drama people came out to see, 'Hey, did you catch up on what happened with Thomas and Lucy? Let me tell you!'

I try to cast off any thought, any visual of Thomas, but it's becoming increasingly difficult as he gets closer and closer to me, where his thigh brushing against mine. I give him a look that says do you value your life, which it must not because he has his book right up against his face, showing off every single tooth. He can't even read the book, it's so close.

This feels like those situations with children, where if they want attention so badly, they are willing to receive it  even if the response is negative. More than anything, I'm afraid this entire time I will be trying to block out Thomas while he will get more and more creative ways to annoy me.

"Thomas, I think now is a good time to start reading. What is going on with the book you're reading?"

He tilts his head towards me with a soft smile. He's easy to please.

"I chose a zombie apocalypse. It felt appropriate for the time of year."

Raising my eyebrows, I show off my skepticism, which he jumps on.

"How many zombie books or movies or games are set in the winter? Do the zombies just pop out in the snow? No, it's always beautiful and summer. At least when it breaks out. Therefore, this book will be both enjoyable and informative."

His logic is sound as far as I can tell.

"What are you reading?"

"Well, like you, I figured I would stick with the season, and that's why I picked a beach romance."

"Ahh, that's a very good call. Great minds think alike."

"Read your book, Thomas," I say this strongly, but the smile on my face betrays me. Oh, well. We'll be reading anyway.

Thomas snuggles even closer to me, but he is actually reading the book this time, so I settle in myself and crack open my book. Let's see how this story goes.

* * *

"Can you believe how stupid that is? She just needs to talk to him! Why is that so hard? She thought he didn't show up to their date by the pier because he was seeing that 'other woman,' but he didn't show up because his best friend got sick and was taken to the E.R.! How is this possible? How are they so stupid? Like she won't leave any opening for him to explain because she just wants to be hurt like why? You were the one begging for a second chance with him and for your dream summer romance! It's failing because of you, Martha," I rant to Thomas about all the elements of miscommunication as well as the pregnancy trope dropped in there. No, thank you!

"But isn't this the beach read you're looking for? Two grown adults who can't communicate are also forced to start a family together," Thomas's sarcasm is well received as I throw my head into my hand, wondering why I picked this book. Maybe I should stay away from romance for a while. If this is the kind of romance stories, I'm picking up, I will gladly return them.

"Well, how are the zombies? Are you informed enough? Will you give me your survival tips?"

His eyes go wide as if I told him the earth was flat. What did I say wrong?

"Lucy, the only way to prepare for the zombies is to have a bunker stocked full of everything you could," where he begins to count every single necessity on his fingers. "First is food, then water. Different clothes for different seasons. Don't forget medicine. It is also important to have various kinds of entertainment. Also, if you prepare correctly, you should also include an air conditioner and a heater. Your bunker must be undisclosed until the moment is right, and you inform only people you trust. If that doesn't work out, you die."

"We die? That's it?"

"Lucy, do you really want to survive the zombie apocalypse?"

"Maybe I do! I can be petty and stubborn plus once it's over, and most everything is destroyed I won't have most of the worries I currently have."

Thomas seems intrigued by my response, but he nods slowly, muttering to himself.

"I'm still not entirely sure, especially considering yeah, you won't have to worry about paying rent or figuring out if you want spaghetti or tacos. You'll be deciding: do I go out into zombie territory in the hopes of finding water, or do I go up the cold mountains in search of deer meat?"

"How about this? If the zombie apocalypse happens, if I prove myself trustworthy, I get to stay in the bunker with you, and once we run out of rations and other supplies in, let's say, five to ten years, I'll be the one providing for all that we need."

"It'll be like the way women would look out the window and think about their husband at war except I'll be thinking of you as you search and scour for meat and berries. Also, there's no window, and I'll just be staring at a wall."

The laugh we share is easy and light.

I lean back into the couch as I curl up facing Thomas as he shifts his body to face my direction.

"I really liked this activity, Thomas." I seem to catch him off guard as his smile fades, and he stares like a deer in headlights.

"I didn't know what to expect for today, and despite all that you did to annoy and tease me, today has been fun. I like spending time with you," I offer with as much sincerity as possible. 

By his reaction, you'd think he's a schoolboy that just got told he's cute by his mom and her friends. All curled up with a bright blush on his cheeks.

"It's really nice spending time with you, Lucy. It's really fun to annoy you, and I'm excited we get to keep this up. You're the one who has to choose what we do next."