“You can treat me next time,” I responded. “It’d better be fancy.”46Please respect copyright.PENANATYL0Q8roqF
I watched 8 chuckle at my response. “Sure, you can count on me,” he grinned.
I kept my eyes on him as he turned his attention back to the festival. Did he dress up for today despite me telling him we were studying? He's always looked huggable, but today, he's... extra huggable? If that makes any sense. He's the type that makes me want to squeeze him like a cute puppy. Despite not shaking me off, he did look slightly uncomfortable when I got too close, so I didn't want to push it. However, I'm not sure if I can hold myself back today....
“Well, surely I can do this,” I thought as I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I could stay like this for the whole night,” I murmured under my breath. I looked up at him, meeting his eyes for a split second before he turned away.46Please respect copyright.PENANAQcaNUXv7wx
“You know, you’re pretty clingy,” 8 said with a stiffness in his voice.
I immediately sat back up. “Ah… sorry, I’m a pretty touchy person… Do you not like it?” Was I making him uncomfortable all this time?46Please respect copyright.PENANALLMysBHwMS
"Really, you’re an idiot for thinking he liked you for even a second,” I told myself.
“No, it’s not that, uh… I...” 8 turned to face me again, his words trailing off. I didn’t know if it was just the lights of the festival, but his face seemed flushed. My heart skipped a beat.
Before I could say anything, a boom resounded in the sky. We both whipped around, watching as fireworks lit up the night sky in a dazzling display of colours and patterns. The explosions were loud and the air was filled with the scent of gunpowder, but I thought that there couldn’t have been a better time and place than the present.
I glanced over to 8, his eyes wide and the light of the fireworks dancing on his face. He turned towards me, making my stomach flip.46Please respect copyright.PENANAp5SfcjceeQ
“...The fireworks are so beautiful tonight,” I said with a smile, not knowing what else to say. He paused, then smiled back the most radiant smile I’d seen.
“Yeah, they are.”
As the night went on, we continued to explore the festival with an uncertain air between us. However, when the final fireworks display ended and the crowds started to disperse, I felt a sense of sadness at the thought of the evening coming to an end. I didn't want it to end just yet.
46Please respect copyright.PENANAbvkcrrfGJK