Chapter 13 Weslyn
Weslyn
I'm off to start my day at work but just wanted to tell you good morning before I got busy.
So good morning, Weslyn.
You're up bright and early.
You are too, I see. Hope I didn't wake you.
I have a few tests next week so I'm taking advantage of every study group I can. This one unfortunately runs at the ass crack of dawn.
Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
Thanks. I'm actually looking forward to the tests, believe it or not. Just not what follows.
What do you mean?
The holiday and winter breaks. I loathe them.
What? Why?
It just gets lonely is all. Maybe my job will have extra hours to give me in the meantime to keep myself busy.
I never asked you about your job. What do you do?
I work very part time at a bowling alley. I know, it's lame. My financial aid and whatever money my father left for me doesn't cover my food or anything else I might need outside of tuition, really. Not everyone is an almost billionaire. Lol.
Oh stop. I didn't mean to come off that way.
You didn't. I'm just joking. But I don't mind the job. It works for now.
Right. Well, if you ever need anything, I really wouldn't mind.
No, I don't need anything. In fact, I meant to ask you how I can pay you back for the Uber the other night.
No need. I was happy to do that.
I really don't mind paying you back.
So I'm excited for our date on Friday.
Way to change the subject…
But I'm excited too.
Nervous actually, if I'm being honest.
Why are you nervous?
Because I like talking to you, and what if you see me on FaceTime and I'm not what you imagined. What if it ruins things?
Suddenly, I'm frozen in place as my phone starts buzzing in my hand. I stand in my room, staring at the screen as it rings. Kyran is requesting to FaceTime. I don't know if it's an accident or-
6:17am
Answer please.
A text comes through simultaneously, as if he could read my mind battling whether or not I should answer the call. I stare at the phone for a moment, and then finally decide to slide the button across the screen to answer just as he requests.
"He-hey," I stammer, feeling the nerves break apart in my voice as I focus myself into the camera, appreciating that the lighting in my room isn't super bright. But it's nerve-racking, nonetheless.
Everything hits me when I realize that I am looking at Kyran. God, he's stunning. Even more handsome than I'd ever imagined. His eyes are mesmerizing as they stare back at me and the veins in his arm flex as he brushes his fingers through his hair.
He is incredibly attractive. It's a bit of an awkward exchange for the both of us to be staring at each other through the phone like this, but I can't take my eyes off him and my smile is wide across my face, not even really caring to hide it.
"Wow." His words are whisper.
I smirk. "What?"
"You are really beautiful, Weslyn." His admission breaks me from my trance when I realize that he complimented me out loud and I react the way I knew my body would.
I feel a blush skate over my skin, my cheeks heat and my heart pounds in my chest. I'm sure he can probably see that I'm flattered and blushing as his own smile curls across his lips.
We both take a few more awkward seconds to stare over each other and soon, the heat I start to feel flush over my face causes me to get a little nervous and I pull my lip in between my teeth to prevent myself from smiling like a fool while dipping my head to hide my reaction.
"Thank you," I finally say to him, almost in a whisper. His eyes burn through the camera as he watches my reaction, one of nerves and butterflies tangling into each other.
"Now when we see each other on Friday, it won't be as awkward," he says, trying to reassure me and I just nod at the attempt he's making to ease my mind. It works, just a little. But more than anything, I'm even more anxious now.
"Is this what you had expected?" he asks, his voice is deep and soothing. Not what I had pictured but better. Something tells me I'll have a hard time getting used to a voice like his. It's intoxicating.
"I-I don't know what I expected," I stammer, trying to calm my nerves.
"I guess I just liked talking to you so much that I never cared what you look like and I guess I never anticipated us getting to this point but I'm glad we did," I admit, and his lips provide a very attractive grin.
And then I realize that maybe I should give him the proper compliment he deserves as well.
"You are really handsome, Kyran."
I watch as he grins at me, his eyes gleaming with something soft and appreciative.
"I'm glad too. I don't want this to be awkward between us," he says to me and I can see his confidence shine through the phone screen, even with only a little bit of light peeking through behind him.
I try my best to keep myself in frame as I sit on my bed and listen to his voice.
All I can do is smile lightly at his words, too nervous to speak.
It's weird. I'm not short of anything to say through the text messages.
Words come pretty naturally, even if I may incriminate myself with my unfiltered thoughts.
But here, on the phone, actually listening to each other's voices and even more .
. . seeing each other, I can't seem to even feign confidence.
"Well, I should let you go though, so we both can start our day," he tells me, and I already hate that we can't talk more but he's right. This was a good first step to whatever is going on here and it's best to not overdo it.
"Text me?" I ask, my voice light and small, not wanting to seem too eager or risk my voice cracking with the nervousness that coats it.
"Of course I will," he says.
He gives me another handsome smile before we both click the FaceTime off. I hold my phone in my hand and will my racing heart to settle down, breathing in through my noise and holding my intense smile at bay.
But then my phone buzzes.
6:28am
Oh, and Weslyn?
Yes?
You were right. You weren't what I had imagined.
You've exceeded anything my brain could have conjured up.
That's really sweet, Kyran. Thank you.