Red misunderstanding

      The day was not going well in the morning. At first I overslept and was almost late for my first chemistry lesson. As luck would have it, Nina was not at school today. She felt bad in the morning and decided to stay home. I would also prefer to stay at home today.       I wasn't the only one late. Leslie also managed to be late and entered the classroom five minutes after me. He, of course, decided to sit with me. Although he could sit with Kim and, better yet, sit with her. It’s not that I hate him, on the contrary, I like him and because of this it’s difficult for me to sit quietly with him. The lesson went quickly, we only talked a little about the teacher and chemistry itself. Next was literature, for which we were assigned a poem. Sitting down on the very last desk, I laid my head on the desk and sighed. I spent the whole night studying this verse. - Do you mind if I sit with you again? - a velvety voice sounded above me.       She shuddered in surprise and looked at the source of the sound. Leslie looked at me carefully. Apparently, my silence dragged on and he, embarrassed, looked away from me. - James didn’t come today and neither did Nina, so I thought I could sit with you today. - I don’t mind, sit down. - Thank you.       I put my head back on the desk and continue to watch him. - Have you learned the verse? - Yeah, I studied all night. I was even late for my first lesson. - So I’m not the only one unlucky today. - he grinned. - James didn’t learn, so he decided not to come today. - It would be better if he did it right away. Miss Olivia will not leave him until he recites this unfortunate rhyme. - You know him, he will get out of this situation anyway.       Leslie takes a hair tie out of his pocket and braids her hair into a high ponytail. I involuntarily glance at him. I love his red, curly hair so much, I just want to run my hand through it. I'm sure they are very soft and pleasant. When he still ties them in a ponytail or a bun or pigtails, my heart just melts. He is too beautiful for this world. It’s a pity that he will never pay attention to me as a girl, only as a friend. After all, there are always so many beautiful girls around him. - Mary, are you okay? Why are you stuck? I realize that I've been just staring at Leslie for several minutes now. I feel my cheeks starting to burn with embarrassment. - Sorry, I was thinking about something. Do not pay attention. - she muttered quickly. - Are you sure everything is fine? - his green eyes look at me with concern. - Exactly. - I say and turn away from him in the other direction.       What a fool! You managed to embarrass yourself so much in front of him. Why am I always lucky? The phone vibrates in my pocket and I take it out. Message from Nina. N - How are you doing without me? M - Terrible... N - What happened?       I quickly retell everything that happened. N - Yes, this is just wonderful! M - And what’s wonderful about this situation? N - Mary, turn your head on. He will sit with you at the same desk all day. This is the perfect opportunity to invite him over. M - How do you imagine this? N - Teach you everything. You just take it and invite him to your place. You somehow invite me. M - I doubt something, Nina. You and Leslie are not the same. N - Make up your mind when you still have the opportunity.       I was about to answer when the teacher entered the classroom. I quickly say goodbye to Nina and decide to repeat the verse one more time before going to the board. Two lessons pass and a big break comes. All this time I was thinking about my friend’s words. Maybe she's right after all. When will I ever be able to invite him in such a calm environment? After the cafeteria, we sat in the classroom as usual. - Leslie, are you free..... - Leslie, let's go on a date this weekend?       At the same time, the guy and I looked in the direction where Kim had suddenly appeared. - Sorry Mary, speak first. - Oh, nothing important.       I don’t understand why I said that. - I'm sure you wanted to ask something? - Leslie turned to me. - Yes, nothing like that.       Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why do you say that. Of course, you wanted to ask something, but again you chickened out. I was just afraid that he would refuse you without even trying. - So what about my question? - Kim repeated. - Sorry, but I'm busy on weekends. - Leslie smiled guiltily.       Upset, Kim went to her desk. The red-haired man turned to me and was about to say something, but apparently changed his mind and said nothing. After this incident, we hardly spoke to each other for the rest of the day. I came home completely devastated. Lying on the bed, I decided to write about everything to Nina. M - I urgently need to talk to you. N - What happened? I briefly told her about today. N - Why didn’t you ask him? M - Yes, I don’t know. It’s already difficult for me to sit calmly with him, but here it is, perhaps Kim, who suddenly appeared, unsettled me. Or maybe it's just me being such a coward who can't do anything. N - You're exaggerating. She's not a coward, she's quite a wonderful girl. M - How complicated it is... N - Look, I never asked you this, but why do you like Leslie? M - Why such questions? N - It was just interesting. M - I don’t even know how to explain. I like his character. He is kind, always supports us, and cheerful. I especially adore his green eyes when he braids his red hair, those cute freckles of his that he is embarrassed about. N - Sheer perfection, Mister perfect guy. M - Haha, who knows. Maybe a perfect guy, but also a very clumsy guy. N - Who, by the way, is an excellent cook and has a fluffy black and white cat at home. M - How do you know that he is good at cooking and details about the cat. She herself said that you hardly communicate with him.       I thought this was strange. I have nothing against it, but Nina would say so. She is very sociable and always tells who she managed to find a common language with this time. N - James told me. No, something is definitely wrong here. M - James you say. Nina is that really you? N - You have some strange questions. M - Maybe because you know very well that it is easier to persuade James to do his homework than to ask him to tell details about his friends, especially his best ones. “If you’re so interested, then go and ask him yourself.” These are his words, aren't they? N - Okay, okay. You figured me out. I fell for such stupidity, I know it very well myself.       I can't help but feel strange. I have a bad feeling about something. N - Actually it's Leslie. Nina is just sleeping next to me and asked me to answer you instead of her, and somehow it happened.       It was like I was electrocuted. How could this happen. I just calmly “admitted” that I like Leslie, and to him himself. Horrible. I want to fall through the ground. How can I look him in the eye now? The day couldn't be worse. I hear the phone ringing and look at the screen. Leslie's name flashed on it. It just couldn't be better. Maybe he ignored it and didn’t pick up the phone. On the other hand, it would be dishonest, and sooner or later we would need to talk. Having collected myself, I answer the call. A guy’s voice was heard on the other end, which suggests that he was no less embarrassed than I was. M - Listening L - Hello, again. I'm sorry it happened like this. I didn't think it would go this far. There is a pause. We are both silent, no one knows what to say next. Then I hear Leslie grinning. L - So you like me? M - What do you think? - I couldn’t resist sarcasm. L - Sorry, sorry. It’s stupid to ask about this, given your messages, and the situation itself is stupid. It all happened so unexpectedly and quickly that I don’t even know what to say. M - You can directly say what you want. I'll understand everything. L - Are you sure? That's what I'll do.       After his words, my heart sinks into my heels, my head suddenly becomes empty. I'm scared, is everything really as expected, my feelings are not mutual. But it's too late to go back, now or never. I agree with his words. L - You know, I also like your milk chocolate-colored eyes, I adore your voice when you enthusiastically tell a story, while unconsciously gesturing with your hands. I also love watching you get so cutely embarrassed. M - I...what was that? L - Well, you “confessed” your love to me, which means I should do the same in return. M - Are you kidding me now? L - No, I’m speaking quite seriously now.       Life didn't prepare me for this. For a second I simply fell out of reality. Even in my dreams I couldn’t imagine this. Perhaps I should thank Nina for that, for asking Leslie to answer for her. L - So, shall we go on a date this weekend? M - Ah...aren’t you busy, as Kim said? L - Actually, initially I was free, I just didn’t want to go with Kim, but I don’t mind going somewhere with my girlfriend. As long as she doesn't mind becoming one.       The phone almost falls out of my hands, and my cheeks slowly begin to burn. I heard right. His girlfriend. Not someone else, but me. L - Mary, are you still here? You agree? M - Yes. - blurted out sharply L - Really? I'm glad. - a sigh of relief was heard. M - Me too, but I still have one question. What are you doing at Nina's? L - All questions to James. It was he who dragged me to visit her. If at first I didn’t really want to go to her, now I don’t regret it. M - It’s so good that you have James. L - You can't argue with that. So until the weekend? M - Until the weekend.       I hang up and smile. Still, I was wrong. It's a beautiful day.