Page 51 of Clichés & Curses

Realization hit me. ‘Are you taking a picture of me?’

‘Nope.’

‘Then—’

‘I’m taking multiple pictures of you.’

‘Colton—’

‘Smile,’ he said with a massive grin on his face.

That playful grin was all he needed to dissolve the rest of my protests. ‘Well, if you’re taking pictures of me, it’s only fair for me to take pictures of you.’

‘By all means.’

Once I got my phone out, Colton started posing while my camera clicked away.

I snorted when he started flexing one of his arms.

The rest of our time at Creamsicle Corner was filled with laughter and enthusiastic voices as we recounted random stories of ourselves with one another, ranging from our most embarrassing moments to our best. As Colton recalled his story of the time he hit his first-ever home run, I couldn’t help but think that it might have just been the best date I had ever had. But the sad part was that it hadn’t actually been a date. Nor will there ever be one.

I tried to not let the thought affect me, but it seemed like I had failed, when a worried look appeared on Colton’s face.

‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah, just tired.’ And right on cue, a yawn escaped from my mouth as I tried to cover it up.

‘Time to get you home.’

The drive back to my apartment was filled with us singing more ABBA songs. Colton gave me full control, letting me play the songs I knew, so we could sing together. My singing eventually started to quiet down with a feeling of disappointment when I noticed he was already turning into my street.

But, instead of stopping at the drop-off spot in front of my apartment building, Colton continued to drive a bit further. He stopped only when he found an empty parking spot and parked his car.

Once the car was parked, he unbuckled his seatbelt, and went over to my side, opening my door.

‘Thank you,’ I said once I climbed down. ‘I had a great—’

‘Can I walk you up to your apartment?’ Colton blurted out.

My head jolted back at his words, taken aback by his request.

Logically, it wouldn’t make sense for him to walk me up, since it hadn’t been a date. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t pretend it was one, right? Plus, it was just Colton being a good friend.

Though I won’t admit it out loud, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Colton just yet; nor was I ready for this night of make-believe to end. If I could prolong it just a little bit more before we had to part ways, then so be it—even if the walk back up to my apartment was barely five minutes.

Because no matter what had happened—or almost happened—that night, it still changed nothing. Once the night was over, we would be back to being Clara and Colton—ASL partners and friends, nothing more.

‘Sure,’ I said, wanting to stay in this fantasy a little longer.

Killing the engine of his car and locking it, we then started our short walk to the building. Colton opened the glass door for me once we reached the entrance. As I led him to my apartment, I found myself telling him about how Nina and I had ended up at our current place. We were waiting for the elevator when I came to a stop, realizing I was telling him about something he didn’t even ask about.

‘And now I’m rambling. Sorry about that. My brain tends to let loose when I’m tired,’ I apologized.

‘There’s nothing to apologize for. I like hearing you talk,’ he reassured me with a soft smile on his face. ‘So how long have you and Nina been roommates?’

‘This is our third year of rooming together. We were roommates during our freshman year, back when we lived in the dorms, and we just clicked instantly. It’s like, we’ve been friends our whole life. Now, she’s my best friend, still my roommate, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

The elevator finally reached the lobby. The door slid open, and we stepped inside. ‘You make it sound like it was fated for you two to be roommates during freshman year,’ Colton said.

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