26

Tyler was sitting in class on Tuesday when I walked in.

"I missed you on Thursday," I said, sliding into my seat. "Everything okay?"

He gave me a slight nod and half a smile.

I wasn't convinced.

"Tyler," I chastised quietly.

He responded by putting his phone in his backpack. He obviously wasn't interested in communicating with me.

I rested my hand on his forearm. "You don't have to tell me everything, I just want to make sure you're okay."

He looked back at me and nodded. I noticed that he looked really tired. After a second, he gave me a small smile.

"Okay," I said and squeezed his arm before removing my hand and getting ready for class to start.

***

On Thursday, Tyler brought a flier for a hayride and put it on my desk.

I looked at him, tilted my head to the side and asked, "Tyler Armstrong, you asking me out on a date?"

He flushed and looked down, but I caught a smile. When he looked back up, the smile was still on his face.

"You don't have to ask me twice," I said as class began to start.

It was incredibly difficult to focus in class. The hayride was Saturday afternoon, and I didn't think I could wait two days. I kept sneaking glances at him, and many times, I caught him doing the same.

When class was over, he bolted.

He's probably as nervous as I am.

I had wanted to walk back to the dorm with him before I left for Spanish class. Our communication hadn't really improved in the last week. I wanted to know what was going on, but I wasn't sure how hard I could push him.

Me: Everything okay?

Tyler: *thumbs up emoji*

Me: Tyler

Me: Talk to me

Tyler: Everything is fine, darling

Tyler: I just forgot about an assignment for Music Theory that's due in an hour

I stopped in my tracks. Darling? I didn't know how to respond. Did I question it? Disregard it? Say something back?

I took a deep breath, started walking again and called my sister.

"You aren't in class, are you?" I asked as soon as she answered the phone.

"Lex, I wouldn't have answered if I was. Are you okay? You sound weird."

"I…yeah. I'm fine. I think. Maybe? I don't know."

"Spit it out."

"Okay, so Tyler asked me out on a date on Saturday to a hayride. He kept looking at me in class, and, when it was over, he just took off. I still haven't really talked to him, and I was hoping he'd walk with me back to the dorm."

She sighed. "Lex, he's probably nervous. You guys have been flirting for a long time, and now you're taking the next step. Aren't you nervous?"

"Well, yes. But, that's not why I'm flustered."

She waited.

"He called me darling." My heart was pounding, and now I was nervous. "I'm supposed to say something back to him, right? What do I say back to that?"

She was silent for a few seconds.

"Sierra?"

"Lex, I love you, but sometimes you make me crazy."

"What do you mean?" I was back at the dorm, and I badged in, making sure the door was closed behind me.

"You're overthinking this. Do you want to say something back?"

"I feel like I should. That's the normal thing to do."

"Nothing about you and Tyler is normal. You're already crazy about him, and he probably feels the same way about you. If you want to say something back, do it. If not, don't."

I scoffed. "This has been most unhelpful, I hope you know that."

I opened my door and flung myself onto the futon.

"Then, don't say anything. You obviously don't feel like it's the right time. Don't force it."

"Ok, that actually was helpful."

"Don't force it," she repeated. "You deserve to be happy, and you're obviously very interested in him. Right?"

"Right, but I hate when you're right."

"I know. But, I have to go. Tell Dad about this. And call me this weekend after your date!"

I immediately called Dad after I hung up with Sierra.

Why am I nervous?

"Hey, honey. What's up?"

"Do you have a minute?" I asked, rubbing my bracelet. My hands were suddenly clammy.

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing happened. I just…remember I told you about that guy in my History class?"

"Yes," he said slowly.

"Well, we had an unofficial date, and we have a real one this weekend. I like him, Dad. Like really, really like him."

He didn't say anything for a minute.

"What does Everly think of him? You know I trust her judgment as much as your sister's."

"She really likes him too. She trusts him."

"Like I said before, don't give your heart to someone who doesn't deserve it. But, have fun. And I better not hear about you on my radio ."

I laughed. "We will be very well-behaved. I love you, Dad."

"I love you, too. Make sure he's someone worth falling in love with."