invisible string

five.

you seemed quite chipper but ellie faltered, her smile dropping noticeably after you had spoke.

"oh," you said automatically, quick to clarify. "we could go somewhere else."

you would've crossed your fingers if ellie wouldn't have seen. she recovered quickly and nodded. "we could go to mine."

your heart flipped.

ellie's tone was casual as she dropped her offer, but the tips of her ears were pink. maybe she was simply anxious like you, but suddenly reading too far into it felt like a game.

you grew eager quite quickly, to see how she liked to decorate and if she kept things tidy or couldn't help but have a few jackets thrown throughout the room.

nodding in agreement, accepting ellie's offer, she didn't hesitate to gather her things and stand up from the table. you followed suit, certainly in a trance.

the getaway was quick but the walk was slow, casual. neither of you were in a rush to hurry and arrive, finish the study guide, and say goodbye. you were genuinely hanging out, and you couldn't decide if you were more excited or more nervous. you peered over at ellie, who was breathing out on purpose, watching the cold swirl in the air. you wondered if she was nervous too, nervous about you seeing her room. it felt sort of intimate, but maybe only because you were prone to overthinking.

her building wasn't much different compared to yours, though you stuffed yourselves into the elevator, shoulder to shoulder so you didn't have to graze anyone else.

ellie felt awkward now, you could tell. she shuffled her a feet a little upon reaching her door, her first attempt at unlocking it failed by her fumbling hands. the action only made you feel more confident, determined to make her feel comfortable and not regret letting you into her space.

ellie held the door open with one hand, gesturing for you to step inside with the other hand after flicking on the light. you stepped in front of her, given her cue, and breathed out a sigh.

it was like getting a peek inside of her mind, viewing ellie's room. she watched you carefully with baited breath as you stepped around her room, taking it all in.

it was clean, but there was a hoodie thrown on the back of her chair. she had a couple of plants, comics, and posters too. they were band posters, and there was a solar system map above her bed. it caught your interest, and you threw an approving smile over your shoulder at ellie.

"you know those little glow in the dark stars that kids put on the walls and ceilings and stuff?" you asked her, feeling as though you had to speak quietly. everything was so still.

ellie nodded, glancing over you as you face towards her.

"i still have them," you admit.

ellie's gaze softens and she smiles in adoration. she doesn't speak, but her reaction is tender enough and you're satisfied. you look over the solar system once more before your eyes move to a different wall, one with a lot less open space. pictures and drawings are arranged, drawing your attention. you glance at ellie again, silently asking for permission, and she nods. you move closer to examine the pictures, but your eyes catch on one thing in particular.

it's a colorful post it note, the one with your doodle that you had signed. on her wall.

ellie had said that she was going to keep it, but you didn't expect her to put it up. hers were on your wall too of course, but it felt like a secret, harboring a crush with her drawings on your wall. this felt equal, and it made you feel brave.