The Mate Agreement
I raise my eyebrows and subtly wipe my sweaty palms on my jacket.
“I asked what type of books you like to read?” He repeats.
“Oh.” I shrug. “I’m a Plath kinda gal. The Bell Jar?”
He nods, smiling. “Good book.”
I smile back at him, and the awkward energy between us returns. Thankfully, the bus starts to move, and we look away from each other. He goes back to reading South of the Border, West of the Sun. I focus on untangling my earphones and then listening to a Chase Atlantic playlist on repeat as we leave Acadia City behind. There’s a reserved, content energy in the bus, and I revel in it.