"That one right there. With all the flowers. Rosie's Nails." I pointed to it.

Reece slowed down the car and parked before turning it off.

"You're going to come with me? I thought you're dropping me off," I said while unbuckling the seatbelt.

"How will you get back?" he questioned.

I shrugged, "I'll get a cab."

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head lightly. "I'll take you back. Come on, let's go." Why is he acting like this? Like such a fucking perfect boyfriend? We both climbed out and then headed inside.

"Indie!" She grinned from behind the counter.

"Rosie," I chuckled, walking over.

"It's been a while since you came. Let me see." She grabbed my hands, looking at my nails. "You took a break, huh?"

I nodded. "Is Jackie in?"

"Sure is. Go ahead, grab a table. I'll send her over to you."

"Thank you," I sang, turning to Reece. "Come on."

He followed me and we walked to one of the tables. Each table has two seats, one person to get their nails done and the other for whoever was here keeping them company, in my case, Reece.

We sat down and I pulled out my phone, looking through Pinterest for some nice designs. I found one I liked, saved the image, and then put my phone down, turning to him.

He was looking around the place before his eyes found mine. "Chloe would die here."

"Because of the flowers?" I chuckled.

He nodded.

"They're fake. Most of them," I replied, looking around with him.

"How do you know?" He scrutinized the flower walls and ceiling.

I pointed to it. "Look at them. They're sort of... waxy. And polished. Can't you tell?"

He shook his head.

I turned to look at him and realized we were really close. But he wasn't looking at me. "Forget it," I mumbled and straightened up.

"Indie, my darling."

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up as Jackie sat down across from me. "How've you been?"

"I've been great, what about you?" I asked, putting my hands out.

She looked at my nails and then started gathering everything. "What are we doing today?"

I showed her the picture. It was simple. I always get something simple unless I'm feeling fancy. I just wanted different, pastel-colored, french tips.

"Get something fancy next time," she said before starting to do my nails.

I turned to Reece who was still looking around. "You'll get bored, Reece."

"Huh?" Why is he so fascinated by flowers?

"Do you like flowers?" I asked him.

He nodded, looking at my nails that Jackie was happily working on.

Her own nails were super long and sparkly. They looked like a little girl's dream.

"What's your favorite flower?" he asked me.

"Daisies. What about you?"

"Carnations," he replied.

I'll keep that in mind.

"Reece, when's your birthday?"

"June first. I'll turn twenty."

I didn't know he was a year older than me. "You'll be twenty?"

He nodded. "I took a gap year before coming to college. I traveled with my dad."

"Where to?"

He smiled, scooting closer to me. "Across Europe."

"What city was your favorite then?"

"Barcelona. Lots of fun."

"Yeah?" I laughed softly.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I have pictures, you want to see?"

I nodded.

He shifted even closer and pulled out his phone.

"You look so different," I said while he swiped from one photo to another. "Your dad looks like fun," I chuckled, looking at a picture of him and his dad taking shots.

"He is. When he isn't working at least," he smiled, staring at the picture.

I looked at his face, not at the picture. "When was the last time you saw him, Reece?"

"When I came to college," he cleared his throat.

I chose not to say anything. I haven't seen my parents since I came to college either but our circumstances are different. He probably misses his dad. I miss my dad too but not as much as him. Most of my memories growing up are with my grandparents or with babysitters.

After twenty-five minutes or so, Jackie dusted my hands. "All done, pretty girl." She gave me some hand cream as I thanked her before rubbing it in.

"Let me see." Reece grabbed my wrist, taking a look at my nails. He chuckled softly and then looked up at me. "They look pretty."

"Why don't you get yours done?" I asked.

He blinked, looking back at my nails.

I wanted to see what he would say. If he would be willing or if he would shoot the idea down and say something sexist. If he would give me an answer that would make me like him even more, or give me something about him to dislike. One thing at least.

"You could get the same as her but on the entire nail. You'll match," Jackie smiled.

He shrugged and then nodded. "Sure." Fuck me. He's perfect.

I stood up and we switched seats and Jackie started preparing his nails.

"Is it meant to feel like that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

I laughed, "It's 'cause your nails are short."

After another twenty-five minutes, he was done. He looked at his nails, staring at them. "I like them."

"I like them too," I grinned, putting my hands next to his.

Jackie sighed, "Y'all are so adorable together. Young love."

I frowned at her. "You're only twenty-five, Jackie."

"Shh, don't ruin the moment."

I rolled my eyes and dug into my wallet, giving her a tip.

"Thank you, see you next time." She went off on her break while we walked to the counter.

"Let me pay," Reece said, reaching for his wallet.

I grabbed the money and handed it to Rosie before he could even take his wallet out. "My treat," I smiled, nudging his hip with mine.

"Bring your boyfriend again," Rosie smirked at me.

"He's not my boyfriend," I chuckled, taking the change she handed to me and tucked it into my wallet.

"Aren't you?" Rosie frowned at Reece.

He looked at me before slowly shaking his head. "No. We don't like each other like that."

I ignored the pang of hurt that spread through my chest. It was like one little butterfly of hurt spread its wings and then shattered into thousands of other hurtful butterflies that were swarming inside me. Everywhere.

"What the hell? You're kidding," Rosie said, turning to me.

I tucked my wallet into my back pocket while shaking my head. I couldn't say the words. I couldn't bring them to come out. I couldn't say, "No. We don't like each other." Lying out loud was getting harder by the day. I couldn't do it today. So, I said the truth Reece would be happy to hear. "We aren't together."

"Pity. Anyway, see you next time, Indie."

"See you," I smiled, waving her bye as we left. I jogged to the passenger side, beating Reece to it so he wouldn't open the door for me. He has a habit of doing that, he really does. I didn't want him to do it right now. I climbed in and pretended to be digging through my bag for something.

He sat inside and started the car but I could feel him looking at me. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah," I mumbled, taking my wallet out and putting it in my bag before taking out my keys, placing them in my lap. I pulled out my bottle. "Just thirsty." I opened it and drank some while leaning back.

"I can't drive till you're buckled up. Here." He leaned forward, his face inches away from mine as he grabbed the seat belt and pulled it across my body, his hand brushed against my chest, my arm, and even my torso.

It was all over the fabric of my shirt, but I had chills under it. I tried not to choke and pulled the bottle away from my lips, closing it.

He leaned back into his seat and then started driving. "You want to stop at Candy's? We can grab a bite."

I think I had enough of him for today. I wanted to say no but then I made the mistake of looking at his face. His face lit my goddamn body on fire. I actually think I can't breathe sometimes when I'm around him, it's so difficult for me to be around him now. It kills me to be in his presence at times like this. Because I have him. I almost have him. But I don't.

"Sure," I nodded before swallowing. "Candy's sounds good."

He started the drive and I turned to the window, focusing on the buildings, cars, and people we drove past.

The line is blurred for me. He tells me he doesn't like me, he doesn't want me other than my body, but his actions show the complete opposite. He takes care of me, he spends time with me, he gets matching nails with me. When his mouth tells me one thing and his actions tell me another, how can the lines not be blurred? I'm getting confused.

Does he like me or does he not? If he does, why won't he tell me? And if he doesn't, why is he leading me on. Because that's exactly what he's doing. He's telling me one thing and doing another. I don't know if he's confusing me on purpose or if he's just doing it without knowing. But he's the one making everything a hazy confused blur. But he better figure it out fast, but I'm not sure how much longer I can hold on and lose myself to him. But not long enough, I'm sure.

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