The weeks go on

A few weeks had passed since Halloween.

I hadn’t told Sarah or anyone else what happened that night. On the surface, everything had gone back to normal. I went to class, kept up with my assignments, worked out regularly, and called Sarah like I always did.

But I wasn’t quite the same.

Before I left the Halloween party, Mia had given me her number.

“Text me sometime,” she’d said, handing me her phone.

I’d saved it without really thinking about it.

Now her name sat in my contacts.

Every once in a while, I’d open my phone and see it. A couple of times, I’d even started typing.

Hey, it’s Ethan.

Then I’d stare at the message and delete it.

I knew where a conversation with Mia could potentially lead, and that was exactly why I kept stopping myself.

Still, the fact that I wanted to text her bothered me.

At the gym, I was becoming more comfortable with the attention I got. I’d catch someone looking at me, exchange a smile, or occasionally have a brief conversation with someone I’d never met before. A few months earlier, I probably would’ve barely noticed.

Now I did.

I wasn’t actively looking for another situation like Halloween, but I couldn’t deny that being wanted had changed something in me.

I also thought about Mia from time to time. I hadn’t seen her since the party, and I wasn’t sure whether that was a relief or a disappointment.

One afternoon, after finishing my workout, I sat on a bench and checked my phone.

Sarah had sent me a message.

Call me when you’re done ❤

I smiled.

Whatever had changed in me, my feelings for Sarah hadn’t disappeared.

I put my phone away and grabbed my bag.

As I headed toward the locker room, I couldn’t help wondering how long I could keep Mia’s number in my phone without eventually deciding to use it.