Free Minds

Chapter 85.

   After getting ice-cream, Dorian and I snuck into the deserted park that we'd bypassed on our way to the parlour. We were currently eating our dessert on the swings that had gotten even more rickety since the rare moments I'd come to the park with Mum when I was a lot younger.

"You know, we've been on you all night," I swallowed a spoonful of my Caramel Delight before proceeding. "How about you ask me a question? About anything."

"Really?" Dorian raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"

   I shrugged, trying to ignore his tone and the second thoughts threatening to surface. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

"So long as it's not about my bra size or something creepy, of course."

   The ends of my lips lifted at the redness took over his face... then straightened at the impish glint that crept into his green eyes.

"Dorian!"

"Okay, okay!" he held up his hands, failing to suppress the laugh that erupted from him.

   What in the Rav was happening here?

   Maybe I was right to rethink this.

"Okay, first question," Dorian remarked, still smiling, "When was the last time you went on a date like this?"

"Honestly? ...Never." I admitted, then seeing his shocked stare, I clarified, "That's not to say I haven't been on any dates at all, but it was always with Talise and her date or some school function I didn't want to attend in the first place. But... I've never been on a date like this. One where I'm actually enjoying myself. And that's even counting the rare times I got to hang out with boys I liked."

"Boys you liked, huh?" Dorian's gaze shifted to the ground.

"Jealous?" I teased, poking the part of him closest to me.

   Seconds went by without him budging. Too many seconds. I found myself torn between doing something and just allowing this weird moment to pass. Hopefully soon.

"I was," Finally looking up, Dorian said. Then, upon noticing my knitted brows, he clarified, his voice a bare whisper, "Jealous, i mean. I was jealous when... when I saw you and Landon together."

   Oh, that. Now it was my turn to look down. He was referring to what happened between me and Landon last night while I waited with him for his Ride.

"It wasn't like I was stalking you guys or anything, believe me," he continued with the same soft tone. "I happened to be looking out my window when I saw you. I swear I really wanted to look away but I just couldn't and I'll admit I was super jealous when he hugged you the first time but everything else that transpired afterwards was clear proof that nothing is going on between you two. I hope you don't think that that's the reason I asked you out. I'd already planned on doing so that morning and I guess I'm just trying to say that I'm sorry."

   Lifting my head, I was met with Dorian's stare, which switched from guilty to bewildered when I smiled and said, "It's okay. I know you saw us. And that you were jealous."

   I really did, I told him. After Landon left in his car and I went up to Dorian's room, he wasn't too far from his window. But that wasn't what gave him away. It was the look he had on.

"The look?" Dorian queried, cutting off my narration.

   I nodded. "That was the second time I'd seen that look on your face. When I saw you yesterday, I suddenly recalled the time where Rav jumped into that river at the high school party we went to to search for Talise weeks ago. When he got out and gave me that long, wet kiss, your expression was the first thing I laid eyes on when he pulled away."