The late afternoon sun filtered softly through the windows of their apartment, casting a golden hue across the living room where Kathy and Bella were curled up on the couch. An untouched plate of spaghetti sat on the table, long forgotten. Bella was lost in thought, her arms folded as she sighed for the umpteenth time. Kathy raised a brow, lowering the volume of the show they were half-watching.
"Okay, spill," Kathy said, turning fully to face her. "You've sighed like ten times in the last two minutes."
Bella gave a half-hearted smile. "It's nothing."
Kathy rolled her eyes. "You forgetting who you're talking to? Your 'nothing' face is the same face you make when something is eating you up."
Bella let out a slow breath and turned to face Kathy properly. "It's Justin."
Kathy didn't look surprised. "Of course it is. What happened now? Y'all were literally giggling over texts last night."
"That's the thing," Bella said, her voice quiet. "We've been doing everything. Hanging out almost every day. Long calls. Random surprises.We're always together. People think we're dating."
"Well, yeah," Kathy nodded. "Even I almost shipped you two before it became a thing."
Bella gave a small smile, but it faded quickly. "But we're not a thing, Kath. He hasn't asked me out. No talk about being official. It's like we're stuck in this... undefined bubble. And I don't want to ask him first and look desperate."
Kathy looked thoughtful for a moment, then sat up straighter. "Okay, be honest, do you think he likes you?"
"Yes!" Bella said immediately. "That's the frustrating part. I know he does. You should see the way he looks at me. The things he says. How he acts. It's not just friendly."
"But?" Kathy prompted.
"But I feel like he's dragging it. Like maybe I'm just… convenient. A fling. Someone to pass time with."
"Whoa," Kathy frowned. "You really think that?"
Bella looked down at her hands. "I don't know. It's just… if he likes me that much, why not make it official?"
Kathy nudged her shoulder gently. "Babe, maybe he's just taking his time. You know, making sure the timing is right. Or maybe, he wants to ask you out in a grand way. Some big, romantic gesture. You know Justin can be dramatic."
Bella gave a small chuckle. "Maybe."
Kathy leaned her head back. "Or maybe he's scared. Guys like him, especially the ones with attention on campus, they start overthinking everything. They don't want to lose their 'hot guy' status. They're afraid of commitment. You said it yourself, he's getting more confident, maybe even a little cocky."
"That's what's scaring me too," Bella admitted. "The way girls talk about him… the way he responds sometimes. It makes me wonder if I'm just one of many."
Kathy turned to her, more serious now. "But you're not. Justin might be a lot of things, but he's different when he's with you. I see it. Everyone sees it. People even think you guys are already dating."
Bella sighed again. "Exactly. And if we're not, then what are we?"
Kathy reached out and held her hand. "Listen. You've only known him for like, what, five weeks? You guys have gotten super close in such a short time. That says a lot. Just give it a bit more time. If he still doesn't say anything, then maybe have the conversation. Ask him straight up."
Bella nodded slowly. "You're right. I just don't want to be strung along."
"You won't be," Kathy assured her. "And worst-case scenario? You move on and find someone who'll see your worth and make it clear from day one."
"Easier said than done," Bella whispered.
Kathy smirked. "Says the girl half the school is obsessed with."
Bella rolled her eyes playfully. "Please, let's not start."
"I'm just saying!" Kathy laughed. "You and Justin are literally Lifetime's 'It' pair. People post you guys on their stories like y'all are some campus celebrities."
"And they think we're dating," Bella added, a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
"Which is why he needs to make it official soon," Kathy said, serious again. "Because I don't want to see you get hurt."
Bella looked at her and smiled warmly. "Thanks, Kath. I needed to let that out."
"Always here for you."
The room fell quiet for a while, the silence now more comforting than tense. Bella leaned into the couch, her mind still spinning but her heart feeling slightly lighter. The uncertainty hadn't gone away, but sharing it had helped. Maybe Kathy was right. Maybe Justin was just waiting for the perfect time.
Just then, her phone vibrated beside her on the bed. She didn't bother checking at first, but when it buzzed again a second later, her curiosity got the better of her.
She leaned over to glance at the screen and let out a small, almost surprised sound. "Oh, look who just texted me," she said with a soft scoff.
Kathy's eyes darted up. "Justin?"
Bella nodded. "Mhm."
Kathy raised a brow. "What did he say?"
Bella unlocked her phone and read the message aloud.
Justin
Hey Bella. Just checking in. How was your day? Hope class wasn't too stressful.
It wasn't romantic. It wasn't deep. But it was just enough.
Bella quickly typed back.
Bella
Hey. I'm okay. Class was a bit long, but I survived lol. How about you?
Justin 💬
Pretty much the same. Long lectures, boring assignments. But it's better now that I'm texting you.
Kathy made a face. "Aww. That's kinda sweet."
Bella didn't respond. Her cheeks flushed a little as she continued typing.
Bella
You're too smooth.
But thanks, I needed this. Been a bit off today.
Justin
I could tell something was off earlier. That's why I wanted to text.
I miss talking to you
Bella stared at the message for a moment, her thumb hovering above the keyboard.
Bella
I miss you too. It's been a long week, honestly.
Justin
I've been watching our little videos from the last time we hung out.
You were laughing so much in one, I kept replaying it.
Your laugh is…something else
Bella blinked at the message and smiled gently, biting the corner of her lip. Her heart, which had been heavy only minutes ago, suddenly felt a bit lighter. It was like her body forgot how disappointed she was, how uncertain everything felt. All that mattered now was that he reached out.
Kathy gave her a look from across the room. "You're smiling again."
Bella glanced up. "I didn't even realize."
"Yeah," Kathy teased. "Spark's back already?"
"Maybe," Bella said quietly, her voice softer now. "I hate that he has that effect on me."
Justin
You doing anything tomorrow after class? You doing anything tomorrow after class?
Would be nice to see you.
Bella
Nothing planned yet. I should be free after 2pm.
You wanna meet up?
Justin
Definitely. Let's do something chill. Maybe get smoothies or just vibe.
I've missed being around you.
Bella smiled again, the kind of smile that grows slowly and takes over your whole face. She hated that she still felt this deeply, but she couldn't deny it.
Bella
Alright. I'd like that.
Let me know the time and place
Justin
Will do. I'll text you when I'm done with my class.
Get some rest tonight. Don't stay up overthinking again. I mean it.
Bella
You've been spying on me or what?
Justin
Nope. Just know you too well.
Night Bella. Sleep well, angel eyes.
Bella let the phone fall to her lap as her smile lingered.
Kathy, who was now pretending not to watch, peeked over her screen. "So… feeling better?"
Bella nodded. "A little."
"Still confused?"
"Very," Bella admitted. "But I don't know… one text from him and suddenly I forget why I was even sad."
Kathy gave her a small smile. "That's love for you. Beautiful and stupid at the same time."
Bella leaned back against the pillow. "I think I'm in deep, Kath."
"I know," Kathy whispered. "I just hope he figures out what he wants soon."
They both sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything still lingering but dulled by the comfort of conversation , and the small joy of a text that came at just the right time.