Chapter 71 What a Romantic Night
Once we arrived, I shoved Gisella forward. She glared at me, demanding an explanation. Up ahead, Julian was standing rigid in the rows of corn. He looked like a lost utility pole. The second their eyes locked, the atmosphere changed completely. Heavy. Awkward. Insane.
"Welp, you two talk. I've got other stuff to do," I said quickly. No need for pleasantries. I wasn't about to get stuck playing third wheel to this low-budget drama. I turned and bolted, leaving them standing there like they'd been cursed.
Julian opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He just kept blinking, staring at Gisella like she was an alien that just dropped out of the sky. Gisella was the same. She was wringing her dress hem until it was a crumpled mess. Her cheeks were bright red from pure embarrassment.
"Gisella?" Julian's voice was raspy. He cleared his throat, trying to find his voice again.
"Yeah?" Gisella answered softly. Barely louder than a cricket's chirp.
They stood there, looking at each other, then looking away. Repeat. It happened three times. It was pathetic and funny at the same time. They're adults, but they were acting like middle-schoolers on their first human interaction.
Julian spotted a big rock under a tree at the edge of the field.
He gestured for Gisella to sit, but then, of course, he panicked because the rock was dirty.
He whipped out his handkerchief, knelt, and started scrubbing the hell out of that stone.
Back and forth. Dust flew everywhere, making both of them cough.
"That's enough, Sir Vance. It's clean," Gisella said, sounding annoyed.
Julian didn't care. He scrubbed it one last time, making sure not a single grain of dust remained.
Finally, he stood up and invited her. Gisella sat down cautiously.
Julian sat on the very edge of the rock, leaving two meters of space between them.
Like, if they sat any closer, the world would explode.
"So... that letter," Julian started. He stared at his own boots instead of Gisella.
"I think Ilse messed with me," Gisella replied, twisting her fingers.
Julian went quiet. He scratched the back of his head, which definitely didn't itch. "Yeah. I thought you needed something important... I mean, not really. But... I'm glad you're here."
Gisella smiled. A real smile, the kind I rarely see. Julian noticed, and his face turned even redder. He tried to act cool, but his feet wouldn't stop fidgeting.
"Nice weather, huh?" Julian asked.
Gisella looked up. "It's nighttime, Julian."
"Oh. Right. True."
Julian slapped his own forehead. He looked like he wanted to sink into the ground right then and there.
Gisella giggled, a genuine laugh. Watching him panic while trying to change the subject, and me, crouching behind the stalks, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, I was sure this was the start of the best kind of chaos.
I peeked from behind the corn leaves, holding back a laugh.
These two are painfully, hilariously awkward.