"In the world of tight spots I’ve been in, crashing in my car doesn’t even rank in the top ten."
Smiling a little sheepishly, the corners of his mouth twitching before he gives in, grin wobbly and uneven as he sits in the passengers seat. The tips of his ears redden, his cheeks warm as the blush spreads all the way down to his neck and embarrassment swells in his chest, but Zach grins wide enough to hide it. After a moment, he presses his lips together to be sure, Magenta’s sarcasm ringing in the small space of the car.
Okay, maybe she’s right. It was a bit weird to be sleeping in her car; but the home life she had was apparent, even if she didn’t talk about it much. It was easy to see the strain she had at home, the way she hardly spoke about her parents and even she did, Zach noticed the tight pull around her shoulders, even if no one else did.
He wasn’t ready to go home yet.
The sun had already set and they drove off to that spot that get’s a good view of the town. From here, he could make out all the little lights that make up Maxville. It’s nice. Peaceful. He thinks about holding her hand, his eyes narrowing to the hand that she’s kept on her thigh for the last ten minutes, maybe hoping that he’ll reach over and lace their fingers together. Involuntarily, Zach’s fingers curl into his palm, heart beating hard against his chest, butterflies filling his gut.
‘ It’s not that bad, ’ he reasons with a shrug, once again trying to meet her level of coolness, playing it off like no big deal. He thinks maybe he’s gotten better at it over the years, or maybe Magenta was better at humoring him. ‘ Pretty cozy. ’
There’s a pause where he considers what he knows he’ll say next, that bigger part of him that constantly has to make sure that everything is okay. Confidently, ‘ Well, I don’t gotta go home yet if you don’t, ’ he runs his hands over his knees, glancing toward her hand again and why can’t he just reach over and hold her damn hand?
Zach’s eyes meet hers and he smiles; stupid, goofy grin. ‘ Y’know, if you want some company, I’m always here. ’ And he means it.