Darius & Chayla - Not Whom He Seems

We made it to school in record time. But he didn’t pull into the parking lot quite yet. 

“What are you doing?” I asked. 

“I’m waiting to see what you want to do,” he answered.

“What do you mean?”

He chortled, as if my cluelessness was cute. I didn’t like him thinking of me as cute. I wanted him to see me as his . . . well, I just didn’t want him to see me as cute because that basically meant he saw me as a child. And who would ever consider a child their equal. 

“Hey, what’s going on in that head of yours?” He booped my nose. 

He was endearing but I would remain steadfast. 

“It’s noth–”

“And before you say ‘it’s nothing,’” he did air quotes. “I know that it’s not. If this alliance of ours is going to work, you need to be upfront and honest with me.”

His whole body was turned to the side, giving me his undivided attention. His big, soft, brown eyes were peering into my own eyes, as though he were peering into my soul. But he did have a point, if this partnership of ours was to succeed, I’d have to open up to him. 

I took a deep breath and released it before asking, “Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”

“No.” He quirked up an eyebrow. “Are you?”

“What?! No!” I turned away from him, incredulous. 

“Well you asked but I can’t.” He was laughing. 

“Darius. Be serious.” I hit him playfully. “Why are you not going into the student parking lot? Are you afraid to be seen with me?”

He paused for a moment, really studying my face, before he broke out a huge, megawatt smile. My stomach dropped so low, I swear it was in my Crocs. 

“I didn’t head into the parking lot because I wanted to drop you off at your first class. I know it can be a long walk to the building from student parking,” he answered. 

My mouth made an O but no sound came out. I hadn’t even considered he was just being polite. I really had misjudged Darius.