âIs This A Dare?â | Part XVII
A Zimbits College AU | part I | part II | part III Â | part IV | parts V + VI | part VII | parts VIII + IX | part X | part XI | part XII Â | part XIII | part XIV | part XVÂ | part XVI
 Bitty is starting to experience a startling new habit of actually waking up in a good mood on Mondays. Thereâs no doubt about whatâs causing it; today heâll be seeing Jack. He hops out of bed in an almost literal sense and chooses an outfit with care because not only will he be seeing Jack today, heâll be having lunch with Jack.
 Itâs a lot of time theyâre spending together over three days but all of it has been initiated by Jack. It has to mean what Bitty hopes it does. Doesnât it?
 The hopeful part of Bitty is by far the largest and loudest, but the little whisper of doubt manages to appear anyway. Heâs been a victim of projecting his feelings before. Itâs not a pleasant thing to discover thatâs been happening. He really doesnât want that with Jack. Now that heâs friends with Jackâs friends online he could probably ask someone for some insight into Jackâs feelings, but it feels shady to go behind Jackâs back and Bitty doesnât know if theyâd let on to Jack that he asked. Besides, he wants to be the one to tell Jack how he feels. He doesnât want Jack to find out through someone else.
 Class goes by in a blur which Bitty spends mostly staring at the back of Jackâs head and remembering what his body looks like beneath his clothes. As soon as class ends, and Jack heads toward him, Bitty realises what a terrible idea that was because his face is flushed and his eyes keep wanting to drop from Jackâs face.
 âHey, Eric. Ready to go?â
 Bittyâs insides quiver at the sight of Jackâs smile. âIâm ready,â he announces.
 They join the flow of people exiting the building, elbows bumping occasionally, sending little sparks down Bittyâs arm.
 âI have to apologise,â Jack says to Bitty when theyâre outside the building.
 âI didnât manage to bring any leftover pie like I promised. The others got back last night and devoured it.â
 Jack looks so put off that Bitty laughs.
 âHey! No making fun.â Jack bumps his elbow into Bittyâs arm on purpose this time and tingles spread out along Bittyâs skin. âI was really looking forward to eating more of it.â
 âIâll let you in on a secret, Jack.â Bitty leans up to Jackâs ear and whispers, âYou can make another pie at any time.â
 Jack turns his head to grin at Bitty. Bitty goes a little breathless for how close their faces are.
 âSo if thereâs no pie,â Bitty asks, dropping back to his normal height before he does something uncalled for like kiss Jack, âwhat are we doing for lunch?â
 âI was going to take us to this cafe I know a little off campuâOh! Waitâ Jack stops on the sidewalk and Bitty turns to face him. âWhenâs your next class? Sorry. I should have asked earlier.â
 âIâm free the rest of today.â
 Jack grins and Bittyâs heart squeezes. âGreat.â