novelraw Chapter 115: You are Weird
Chapter 115: You are Weird
Chapter 115: You are WeirdJosh
I watch her face as she talks about photography, noticing how her eyes light up, how her hands move with excitement. It’s like watching someone talk about their first love. The passion is so raw and real it makes my chest ache with a strange kind of envy. I’ve never felt that way about anything.
"What about you?" she asks suddenly, popping a spring roll into her mouth. "What’s your story?"
"Me?" I chuckle, reclining comfortably in my chair as the soft creak of the wood echoes lightly. "Nothing too wild. Architecture caught my eye, so I decided to pursue it."
"But you must love it, right?" she insists, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
I ponder her question, feeling the cool condensation from my water glass seeping into my palms as I roll it back and forth. "Yes," I reply, the word hanging in the air.
Hailey examines me closely, her head tilted slightly to one side, like a curious bird. Her gaze is steady,
"High school theater," I say solemnly. "Once wore tights. On stage. In front of my crush. Nothing can hurt me now."
That earns a proper laugh from her, light, genuine, and short enough to make me wish I could replay it.
"Alright," she says, brushing a hair behind her ear. "We keep it a secret for now."
"Secret mission it is," I say, tapping the side of my nose like some cartoon spy.
Hailey rolls her eyes, but her smile lingers. She pushes back her chair and stands, grabbing the empty takeout containers.
"Come on, help me clean up. If you’re staying, you’re pitching in."
"Yes, ma’am." I follow her to the sink, taking the containers she hands me.
After we’ve cleared the table and the leftovers are tucked in the fridge, Hailey wipes her hands on a dish towel and leans back against the counter. She then yawns, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "Okay. I’m dead. Tomorrow’s going to be insane."
"Right. The solo shoot with the moody lighting, right?" I inquire.
Her eyebrows rise. "You actually listened?"
"Hey, I take my fake modeling job very seriously."
She smirks, then turns toward the hallway. "Goodnight, Josh."
"Night, Hailey."
She disappears into her room. And I just stand there for a moment, in the stillness of her kitchen, wondering how the hell I’m supposed to sleep when all I can think about is being close to her.
I collapse onto the bed, arms splayed, eyes locked on the ceiling. I came here to be near her. Not for anything physical, not really. Just... presence. Her presence. The way she makes everything feel a little more vibrant and a little less scripted.
But now that I’m here, the nearness is maddening.
I reach for the notebook in my bag and start to sketch.