Page 25

For the first time that semester, I sat in ASL class with an empty seat next to me.

And I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.

On one hand, I was hugely relieved that I didn’t have to face Colton just yet, when the events of last Saturday were still fresh—at least in my mind they were. Even though we had texted on Monday, conversing with him through a screen was a lot easier than facing him in person.

Because, whether I wanted to admit it or not, I couldn’t deny that something had shifted between Colton and me that night.

Although, I would have loved to just write off that night as a wonderful memory and never bring it up again, I wasn’t sure if Colton felt the same.

So, if his absence meant I could postpone the inevitable conversation, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for it.

But on the other hand, I was sad that he wasn’t there that day, along with the fact that we wouldn’t be able to practice ASL the same week.

While our ASL practices had started off as a necessity for the class, it became something I looked forward to each week. That might have more to do with the person I was practicing with, than actually about practicing ASL.

When the class was dismissed, I slowly packed up my things.

From what I remember, there wasn’t any class after that, and I was not in any rush to leave just yet.

I had some homework that needed to get done, and the library seemed like a good option.

As much as I wanted to go home right away, I knew the ambiance in the library would make me more productive.

The library was, thankfully, not too full. Considering it was a little over two in the afternoon, most people were probably still in classes, but my guess was the space would slowly start to fill, once people finished their classes after four.

Making my mind up to stay until at most 3.45 p.m., I pulled out my laptop and started my work. I put my phone on airplane mode, and started on the questions, with music flooding through my earphones being my only companion.

When I hit the thirty-minute mark, I gave myself a break. I turned my phone back online to check my notifications and saw one completely standing out among the rest.

It was a text from Colton.

Colton:

How’s my partner doing this week without me?

I could sense the smile appearing on my face as I read his text.

Clara:

Great! It’s been a while since I got this much peace on a Wednesday.

Colton:

? ? ?

Have mercy on my heart here, partner.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his reply, but stopped right away when people started shooting me with sharp looks.

I forgot I was in the library there for a moment.

Clara:

Just kidding.

To be honest, it feels a little weird. I didn’t realize how much I look forward to our ASL practices.

Or maybe, I was just looking forward to my weekly bubble tea.

Which I could have still gotten today. But UNFORTUNATELY, someone made me promise to not get it this week.

I knew Colton was aware that I was just teasing about actually getting one because, like him, I saw getting bubble tea as our thing. Something we did together. And getting it alone just didn’t feel right to me for some reason.

Colton:

You’ll get your bubble tea this week.

I promise.

Are you at home?

Clara:

Nope, in the library. Trying to get some work done before I go home.

Are you already on the road?

Colton:

Not yet, still on campus.

We’re squeezing in one more practice before we go.

Clara:

Well, I don’t want to keep you. And I have to get back to my work.

I was about to lock my phone, but something stopped me from putting it away just yet.

Maybe because it was the first Wednesday where I didn’t get to see him since our first ASL practice, and I just wanted to talk to him a bit longer than this.

So, I shot him a follow-up text.

Clara:

Text me when you leave?

Partner?

Colton:

You got it.

Partner.

His next message came at a little past 6 p.m., while I was lounging around the couch with my book.

Colton:

Just loaded up our things. Road trip starts in ten minutes.

Along with the message was an attached selfie of him next to the college baseball team bus.

Clara:

Finaallly! How long is the drive?

Colton:

Around two hours. But we’re getting dinner on the road, so we might be arriving at the hotel around nine.

What are you up to?

Clara:

Nothing much. Just reading.

Colton:

What book are you reading?

I was still reading You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle, mostly because I wanted to take my sweet time with it. I only had fifty pages left, and I was trying very hard to pace myself, so it wouldn’t be over too soon.

This wasn’t the first time Colton had asked me about the book I was reading. It had been a recurring question since the week after we started practicing ASL together.

I remembered how hesitant I was when he first asked me this question.

It was right after we had finished our second ASL practice session.

I hadn’t realized I’d taken out my copy of It Happened One Summer as I was rummaging through my bag for my pack of tissues, when Colton’s eyes caught the book cover.

I mean, I wasn’t ashamed of my love for romance books, but there was something unnerving about sharing something that you love with someone else who might not understand.

So, when he asked about it, I just answered him with the title of the book, thinking he would end the conversation then and there.

But Colton surprised me, asking about the details of the book, and whether or not I was enjoying it, with a look of genuine interest on his face. Over time, it had just gotten easier to talk about them with him.

I never brought it up myself, but Colton never failed to ask me.

Clara:

I’m reading You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle. It’s a romance book.

Yet again.

Colton:

As it should.

Is it good? Do you like it so far?

Clara:

It’s my all-time favourite book, so it’s fair to say I like it A LOT.

Colton:

How is it your all-time favourite book when you’re still reading it?

Clara:

This is my third time reading it.

Colton:

You must REALLY like it then.

Clara:

I love it. This book has my whole entire heart and soul.

His next reply came in another image.

It was the book cover.

Colton:

Is it this one?

Clara:

Yup! That’s the one.

Colton:

I’m gonna have to read it then.

So please refrain from telling me the details of this particular book.

His texts made me pause for a moment. Colton might have shown interest in the books I was reading, but he never said anything about wanting to read them.

Clara:

Why?

Colton:

You mean, why don’t I want you to spoil this book for me?

Clara:

Well yes.

But also, why would you want to read it in the first place?

I mean, it’s a romance book.

Colton:

So?

Clara:

Wouldn’t you rather read something else?

Like a book from a different genre maybe?

Colton’s reply was instant.

Colton:

Because it’s your all-time favourite book.

That’s all the reason I need.

I tried coming up with a response, but I couldn’t think of what to say.

And Colton must’ve caught on to it, because he sent me a message a few minutes later.

Colton:

And we’re off!

The next message was a selfie of him sitting in a window seat of the bus, grinning widely, with a peace sign.

Clara:

About time!

So what’s the ABBA album of choice for this road trip?

Colton:

Good question.

It’s definitely a Super Trouper kind of road trip.

I let out a chuckle at his answer.

My eyes darted to the time on my phone, seeing that I would have to get started on preparing dinner.

Clara:

Nina is coming home soon, so I have to start cooking dinner.

Text me when you arrive!

Colton:

I headed to the kitchen with my phone in my hand, opening Spotify to see what playlist I should listen to while I prepared dinner.

But it seemed my mind had already been made up, when my fingers started typing the search bar and wrote ABBA. Clicking on the discography, I scrolled to the Super Trouper album and played the first track.

I quickly took a screenshot of the Spotify player and typed out a message. Without thinking twice, I sent it to Colton.

Clara:

My cooking album of choice for tonight! Now you can pretend I’m listening to the album with you.

In case you miss me.

I was about to lock my phone when the three dots appeared, and his reply came.

Colton:

Guess I’m playing this album on repeat until I see you again.

I had a love-hate relationship with Thursdays when it came to my class schedule.

Although my first class of the day started at 10 a.m., an hour later than the previous three days of the week, Thursday was also the day I had to stay on campus the longest, with my last class finishing at 5 p.m.

I was on my way to my second class of the day after having lunch with Claudia.

Just as I was about to sit on the bench outside the lecture hall, while I had been waiting for the ongoing class to finish, students started piling out of the door.

I quickly pulled out my phone and checked the time, thinking I wrongly estimated my time.

But the time on my lock screen told me my class was starting in ten minutes.

Hence, their lecture must have ended early.

When the number of students exiting the hall decreased to one or two in between interval gaps, I finally made my way inside the lecture hall. Quickly scanning the seats, I opted for the one in the middle.

Once I took out everything I needed for the class, I let myself scroll through my phone before the lecturer got there. A few notifications were up on my phone, but none I was looking for.

My text chain with Colton kept getting longer the previous night, with him updating me on his latest whereabouts and the occasional photos from the road trip, including one of Miles sleeping on his shoulder that I immediately showed Nina.

The conversation finally came to an end after an exchange of goodnight texts before I went to sleep.

But as of that day, he hadn’t texted me yet.