*****
Glancing through his window, he watched her setting the table. There was no chance he would go over there before she was ready for him. Alyssa Hunter was not the sort of person you wanted to annoy. Especially if you were trying to woo her.
Seth returned, again without knocking. She saw him enter through the gate but looked away when he came in, still nervous and unsure about everything.
"It looks good," he rubbed his hands together and sat down, trying to lighten the mood.
"Thanks," her reply was short and she wasn't able to make eye contact with him.
Picking up a bowl, he filled it with the noodles and then grabbed hers and did the same. "Here you go." He placed her lunch in front of her, and started twirling the pasta with his fork. Figuring it would be a little while before she started talking, he shoved the bite into his mouth and started chewing.
"Is this some sort of prank?" Alyssa finally looked over at him, her voice rising in defense of herself, "Because, if it is, it's really cruel."
Seth choked on his pasta, spitting some of it out in front of him before he could swallow what remained in his mouth. "What are you talking about?"
"You have been ignoring me for years, Seth. Years! Then, all of a sudden, you come into my backyard like we've been friends all of this time. As if you didn't completely shut yourself away from me. Then you have the audacity to try and tell me you have feelings for me!" Her voice had risen quite loudly, and she was standing up by this point. Alyssa just wanted to throw something at him, but the thought of having to clean it up kept her from crossing that line.
"Whoa," Seth stood up as well. His eyebrows furrowed in disappointment and hurt from her accusation. "Where the hell did you come up with that crap? I already explained to you why I pushed you away. I wasn't able to focus on what I thought my priorities were. I was wrong. What more do you want me to say to you?"
"Gah!" Alyssa kicked her chair and stormed off a few feet before turning back around, opened her mouth to say something, let out a frustrated grumble, and finally sat back down at the table. "I'm hungry." She mumbled, grabbing her fork and shoveling food into her mouth.
Seth just stood there for a moment, confused and unsure if it was safe to move. His hunger won out, and the thought of eating something she had made for him was enticing, so he gave in and sat down as well. They both ate in silence for a few more bites until he couldn't take it anymore. Putting his fork back down, Seth grabbed Alyssa's free hand to get her attention.
"I did a stupid thing, okay? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you away. I was confused and 14! Then, when I was old enough to figure out I had made a mistake, I wasn't sure what to do about it. I know you also have feelings for me, Alyssa. I see it every damn time you look at me and it killed me knowing that I was hurting you. Please, give me a chance. I promise you I won't make the same mistake again. I've made my choice. I'd rather have you.”
She had no idea exactly what those words meant. Seth didn't even realize how serious he was about all of this until he had said that out loud. What he was doing right now could put them both in danger. This could not be a half-assed relationship. If he was going to do this, it was going to have to be for real. He didn't know how, but he was going to have to find a way to keep this all hidden from his sister, parents, and especially the Leaders. Eventually, when possible, he would find a way to escape it all. This meant he'd have to tell her everything, but not yet. She wasn't ready for it.
A small grin formed on her lips and she squeezed his hand in response. "I suppose I forgive you then. This time. But only because I'm awesomely forgiving like that."
Needing to keep up the appearance that everything was okay, he smiled widely at her, "Thanks for giving me this shot. You won't regret it."
"I already regret it." She sighed, dramatically.
Seth grabbed a piece of garlic bread and threw it at Alyssa's head. She managed to catch it with her mouth, and chewed it smugly.
The rest of the lunch went by without a hitch. They spent a few hours catching up from everything they had missed from each other over the years like their favorite bands, books, and the normal type of stuff friends liked to discuss in great detail.
"Ah geez," Seth grumbled, after glancing at his watch. His stomach churned from nervousness, but he did his best to hide it from her. "It's almost 5. My parents will be home in an hour and I have barely done anything I was supposed to get done today. I've got to go." He looked at the mess on the table guiltily, "I'll make it up to you. How about lunch at my place tomorrow?"
"I suppose that's acceptable,” Alyssa huffed while standing up to walk with him to the gate. “I'll see you then."
He lingered a bit before leaving, wanting to lean in and kiss her before leaving but worried it wasn't the right time. He settled for stroking her cheek affectionately before turning and leaving.
Feeling his fingers brushing against her skin, her entire body tingled and she instantly closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. After he was gone she continued to stand in front of the gate, with eyes glazed and a lopsided grin, as she thought back on the time she spent with Seth that day.