Road Trip (H.S.)

Chapter 37

"Hey," I nudge Felicity with my elbow as she scans the opposite side of the street. The thought of our kiss brings something else to mind that I kind of want to talk about. She turns her head to look over at me, curiosity apparent in her eyes. "Can I ask you something?"

She shrugs her shoulders and zips her coat all the way up. "Sure. What's up?"

For a moment I hesitate, unsure of how I should go about the question. I don't think there's a way I can ask it without her thinking I'm trying to imply something, which isn't entirely the case. 

"What are you going to ... I mean, how are you ... um. So your boyfriend ... have you talked to him?"

Felicity grows quiet for a moment. She inhales a breath as she stares at me, looking away when she exhales. She crosses her arms over chest and keeps her focus on the sidewalk in front of us. 

"No, I haven't. He's called me a couple of times today, but I just don't have the courage to answer him."

"Are you going to talk to him about ... you know, us kissing? Or ..." My voice trails off as I can't really think of anything else to follow. This is such an odd thing for me to try and put into words because I just can't think of any words to say. I don't even know why I feel so nervous bringing this up. 

"Of course I will. I mean, I should," she nods her head. Her nerves are getting to her as she begins to fidget with her fingers, picking at her nail polish. "But is it better for me to just wait? It's kind of crappy to talk about it over the phone, right? I should just do it face to face."

"Oh. Uh, yeah I guess so," I hesitantly nod in agreement. I don't actually know if I agree with her. Obviously it's a bit shitty to break up with someone over the phone, even just confessing that you've kissed someone else, but I also think it's something that shouldn't wait to be said.

Maybe I'm just being irrational. It sucks to hear her say she's still going to see her boyfriend because ... well, I don't know. I was hoping that after these past few days and after having shared a kiss she wouldn't want to be near him. I guess if she's going to break up with him, she would need to see him to be polite and get some closure. 

"What are you going to say?" I speak up again. I'm so fucking nosy. "Are you still planning to stay with him?"

"I don't think so," Felicity exhales a deep breath and stops picking at her nails. She pauses for a moment before crossing her arms over her chest, doing her best to block the cold wind from hitting her body. "He sent me a message while we were in New Orleans that I couldn't stay with him anymore. I don't really want to anyway. I might just book myself a hotel or something. Somewhere far away from him."

Just hearing her last sentence causes me to sigh in relief. Knowing that she's no longer planning to spend her break with her boyfriend makes me so much happier. She doesn't need to be around that asshole any longer than she has already. The fact that he told her she can't stay with him angers me. That guy is such a prick.

"You can stay with me instead," I find myself offering. I'll be staying at my sister's place and I have no idea if she even has the room for another person, but I highly doubt she will mind if Felicity crashes with us for a week. At least, I hope she doesn't mind. Felicity can sleep in the bed I'm supposed to have and I'll take the couch if necessary. "My sister will be cool with it, I'm sure."

"Harry, that's very sweet of you. Really, I appreciate the offer but-"

"You won't be intruding," I interrupt as I step in front of her, grabbing onto her shoulders and stopping us in the middle of the sidewalk. She looks up at me with widened eyes, like I've completely caught her off guard by holding onto her. I give her shoulders a gentle squeeze before letting go, sliding my hands down her arms until there's nothing left for me to touch. "It's not intruding if I invite you ... which I am doing. Stay with us for the rest of your break."