Just A Weirdo ✓

~ 09 ~

"Did she say yes?" Zeke asked as I approached his car.

"Mhm," I nodded with a smile. He let out a sigh of relief and leant back in his seat. He switched from worried to relaxed in a matter of seconds. I got into his car and buckled up, ready to go to wherever he was planning to take me.

He turned the ignition and started driving. The view of the bakery went out of my sight as he drove. We'd visited the bakery to ask Heidi to give me a day off, and she happily granted me that wish when she saw Zeke in his car. I didn't know her intentions but I was glad she didn't say no.

Zeke had asked me why I didn't show up to our class and I'd told him it was a long story. He didn't question me further on that topic.

"So... are we going to your house?" I inquired.

"Did you want to come to my house?"

His question was unexpected, therefore, it surprised me.

"I'm only asking."

He shrugged. "The pier," he stated. "To, you know, see life in a new light."

See life in a new light? I didn't know what he meant. Nevertheless, I didn't bother to ask. My response was a simple nod.

***
The pier was a bit crowded but it wasn't a problem because everyone was minding their own business. Zeke and I made our way to the railing and stood there. The smell of salt filled my nose as I looked at the vast ocean before us. I knew we were standing over a lot of water, and I couldn't help but feel disturbed. My mind had immediately gone back to the incident at The Lot.

"Ice cream or cotton candy?" Zeke raised an eyebrow as he questioned.

"Ice cream, of course," I answered. Cotton candy just had this weird texture I disliked. I could see by the look in his eyes that he was genuinely interested. And I didn't want to be an unnecessary drag.

"Allow me to buy ice cream for you then," he smiled. He had been nice to me ever since we met. I nodded and watched him approach the man with an ice cream cart. He took longer than expected but he came back, eventually. He gave me the ice cream cone and the fact that he didn't buy one for himself confused me.

"Where's yours?" The question couldn't help but slip out of my mouth after I licked the mint ice cream.

I'd never imagined myself tasting this flavour before. My mind always told me to go for the classical vanilla flavour.

"The ice cream guy wouldn't let me buy two. He kept on looking at you. I can't say I know why either," he explained with a shake of his head. He looked adorable.

"We can share mine," I offered while extending my arm.

"You don't mind sharing?" he asked and I reassured him with a tiny smile. He stepped closer and grabbed my wrist. I blushed at the contact. And he noticed. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

I didn't want him to think he was making me uncomfortable because he was not. My hormones were just getting the better of me.

"Of course not," I was quick to respond. He leaned in and tasted the ice cream.

"This is good," he stated as he licked his lips. I touched the corner of my lip, signalling him to wipe that spot. At first, he was confused but he ended up doing so.

"I'm surprised too," I agreed. We continued eating it. Zeke was unconsciously holding my wrist nonetheless. I didn't want to be uncomfortable but the ice cream guy was just creeping me out. He stared at us whenever he got the chance and Zeke wasn't noticing it.

He gave me the last of the ice cream and I finished it gladly. I called that a gentleman move.

"So, where did you move from? Illinois?" I'd been waiting to ask this question ever since we started asking questions back and forth.