I took in a sharp breath and held it, and my figure became still. I was barely conscious of my actions, for now I could not look away from Jayme even if my life depended on it. My hands were balled into fists-though I wasn’t angry-and I tried unsuccessfully to remember how to breathe. I gave up and just decided it to hold it a moment longer.

“Chelsea…” His bright blue eyes were piercing, and they held my gaze, immobilizing me even further.

“Yes?” I breathed.

“I…well. I’m not sure how to say this. Please don’t take it the wrong way or anything. If you don’t want to talk to me anymore after this, I completely understand.”

What? Why wouldn’t I walk to talk to him? What was is he struggling so hard to say?

“Ever since I first met you a few weeks ago, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Odd, I suppose, but I couldn’t help it. I really like you, Chelsea. In all honesty, I do.” He paused for a moment and contemplated what to say next. “And I believe you feel the same way too.”

How did he know? I forced myself to breathe, to blink, to come up with a coherent statement. “Oh?” was all I could manage right now.

“Yes. I’ve seen you on your way to work. You’d check down alleys, call my name.” He laughed before beginning again. “I’d never seen anything like it.”

I turned my face away from him and looked at my feet. I felt really stupid. This was not how I expected this to go. I had only dreamed that he would say things like this.

“But, here’s the thing. I only want to be friends with you. I can only be. I’m sorry.”

My heart fell. It ripped through my lungs, spilt my stomach in two, and broke every bone on the way down. Of course. Just friends. I should have guessed.

“Well, it’s better than nothing.” I tried my best to look cheery and optimistic, but still I kept my head down.

He placed one finger under my chin and lifted my face up, so that I was looking at him. “Are you okay?” His eyes looked sincere and hurt at the same time.

“Yes. I’m fine. As are you. I’d be happy to be your friend. Besides, I believe we should get to know each other better anyway.” I smiled a little, and he copied my action.

“Well, I must be going then. Oh before I go, here.” He pulled a small package out of the back pocket pf his jeans, and threw it on the counter, where it landed with a soft thud. “Goodbye, and sleep well, Chelsea.” He picked up my hand and kissed it.

“Bye Jayme.”

He released my hand. “I’ll see you soon.”

And with a smile, he was off and out the door. I collapsed on the chair that resided behind me, and a million thoughts went through my head.

So he likes me, but only wants to be my friend. Why? I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. I saw Jayme’s happy face in my mind, and smiled to myself. What exactly just happened? I must have been dreaming because there was no way any of the previous events could of actually happened. Alya will have a million questions for me. I groaned loudly. She always asked too many questions.

As I rose very slowly from the chair, I made my way over to the counter to see what he had thrown on it. It was a small box with box, with a curly purple ribbon around it. I yanked off the ribbon and the box top to reveal a small piece of folded paper. It read

Chelsea.

Here you go, I owe you these. Sorry I didn’t get them to you sooner!

Sincerely,

Jayme .

P.S- Meet me at the Sugar and Spice coffee house on the corner of 10th and Main next Wednesday at one.

I was instantly excited for next Wednesday. I read the note one last time before tucking it into my back pocket, and lifted up the orange tissue paper that was hiding whatever was inside the box. The object was something black and thin.

I picked it up and the object unfolded, and I was able to realize what it was. It was a pair of black leggings, almost exactly like the ones I had worn the first time I had met him.

I smiled, and realized how happy I was that he had not forgotten me. I wonder why he had it with him though, if I just accidentally ran into him. I made a mental note to ask him that next Wednesday.

With the leggings over my arm, and the note safely back in the box, I made my way into the bedroom. I grabbed a hanger out of the closet and hung my new piece of clothing over it. I put the note in the drawer in my end table, and hopped into bed.

I slept very well that night.