stress-baking | theyna

xii.

As she promised, Thalia was at Reyna's door at 8 o'clock on the dot. Reyna's heart fluttered upon seeing her. Thalia pulled the sleeve of her button-up down over her palm and smiled at Reyna.

Reyna smiled back. "Where are we going tonight?"

Thalia glanced at her shoes. "There's this little diner that's pretty good, though it's out of the city, and I was wondering if you'd like to go there?" Reya grinned and nodded. "Great! I've got a motorcycle, if you have no qualms about riding one. We could take a taxi or a bus if you don't want to-" Thalia didn't even notice how Reyna was buzzing with excitement.

"Motorcycle!" Reyna cut off her rambling. Thalia laughed and covered her face with her hands.

"Bike it is," Thalia laughed, offering Reyna her hand. Was that too forward? She wondered. Regardless, Reyna took Thalia's outstretched palm, cheeks like roses. They walked down to the parking lot and found Thalia's bike.

Reyna couldn't help openly admiring it, letting go of Thalia's hand to touch the leather seats. Thalia smiled appreciatively. She popped open the seat, and handed a helmet to Reyna. She put on her own. "Safety first."