of half-stocked shelves, Kendra and I sat with stacks of boxes, sifting through the mess before I heard someone rapping at the front door. When Kendra went to see who it was, hope swelled within me.
It wasn’t only about wanting to find out what was weighing on him. I wanted to see him and have one of our usual chats, see him smiling, be the reason for that big-ass grin I knew could stretch across his usually frowning face. That was the real Kyle Forsythe—cracking jokes and laughing—not the hard shell he showed the rest of the world.
No matter how many times I told myself not to get my hopes up, I found myself growing excited about the possibility of seeing him again, until I heard two distinct female voices, and Valerie from fourth period entered with Kendra.
I embraced my disappointment as Kendra talked us through the sorting process, pulling books from the boxes and sorting them on carts to then get on the shelves.
Valerie was all-too-eager to work near me, chatting me up. It was funny how someone else could attempt to talk to me the way Kyle or I might have, and I was so much more hesitant. Although, I guessed it had more to do with Valerie’s pushiness than anything else. At one point, I glanced across the room at Kendra, who was smiling at me, that knowing look in her eyes. I rolled mine as we continued working.
“Y’all need an extra hand?”
That voice was music to my ears as I turned to see Kyle standing in the doorway, smirking.
Seemed like forever since he’d permitted me a view of a pleasant expression. And I felt like I deserved it. I missed that face. It wasn’t until he’d denied me it that I realized how much I missed our friendship…no, something more…this connection we shared.
“Hey, Mr. Forsythe,” I said. “Yeah. We can find plenty for you to do.” I surveyed our minimal progress between the stacks of boxes and partially sorted carts. It would definitely take more than a few of these volunteer days to sort through the mess.
“Hi, it’s Kyle, right? I’m Ms. Eiken. I think I forgot to lock that front door.”
She likely knew his name and reputation from around school, but I worried he might believe I’d shared it in confidence, despite telling him I hadn’t revealed anything about his bisexuality. But judging by his chill response, I assumed he was used to being recognized on account of his father.
Kendra headed around him as he stepped in, and Valerie turned to him. He faked a smile, which reminded me that the one he offered me usually was just mine.
All mine.
Despite knowing Valerie and Kendra’s presence prevented us from the chat I desperately wanted to have with him, I was relieved he was here. At the very least, he’d reopened the door between us, the one he’d closed last week, keeping me on the other side of it.
I quickly jumped in to explain our process to Kyle so Kendra wouldn’t feel the need, and then we spent a few hours sorting. Not talking too much, not even as much as we might have on a day at the build. Kyle spent most of his time working on the other side of the room from me, but just knowing we were in the same room…what that did to me… I knew I shouldn’t have been so excited, but I fucking was.
Kendra had to pop out to drive her son home from baseball practice, and Valerie managed to stick it out a bit longer before she headed off as well, leaving just Kyle and me.
A rush of adrenaline coupled with a swirling sensation in my chest. Why did being alone with him again excite me so much?
I told myself I just missed our friendly chats. It hadn’t been so long, yet it felt like an eternity.
He finally moved from his cart over to me. “I see you’re managing to grab about as many volunteers as usual,” he teased.
“Hey, Valerie came. This might be the biggest turnout I’ve had for extra-credit projects. I guess people in this town don’t care about making As.”
He chuckled before assessing my expression. “What?”
“You’re laughing again. I think I deserve some kind of award.”
“Shut the hell up, Big Man.” He passed me a book off the cart I was working from, which I promptly put where it belonged on the shelf.