Chapter Three
Julian walked me halfway home before either of us realized that was what we were doing.
Not intentionally. It just happened. Like most things with us.
"You don't have to walk me," I said, adjusting the bag on my shoulder.
"I know," he replied. "I'm not."
"You're literally walking with me."
"I'm walking in the same direction," he said. "That's different."
"It's not."
"It absolutely is."
I glanced at him. "You don't even live this way."
He shrugged. "I like the scenery."
"The scenery is a closed laundromat and a man arguing with his phone."
"Exactly," he said. "Very authentic."
We walked for a bit, dodging people, moving around each other without thinking. At some point, Julian reached out and pulled me back slightly by the strap of my bag.
"Bike," he said.
A second later, one flew past where I would have been standing.
"Thank you," I said.
"You're welcome," he replied, like this was a normal thing he did every day.
Which, honestly, it was.
We stopped at a crossing. The light was red.
Julian leaned slightly toward me. "Do you remember when you almost got hit by a bus because you were reading while walking?"
"That was one time," I said.
"You were standing in the middle of the road."
"I misjudged the distance."
"You were reading the acknowledgements."
"They were heartfelt."
The light changed. We crossed.
"You're still terrible at paying attention," he added.
"You're still dramatic."
"And yet," he said, smiling, "I'm still alive. Because I pay attention for both of us."
I rolled my eyes, but I didn't argue.
We reached the corner near my place. The one where he usually stopped.
He didn't stop.
"Julian."
"Mm?"
"You're past your turning point."
"I know."
"You said you weren't walking me."
"I'm not," he repeated. "I'm just… continuing."
"Continuing to where?"
"Until I feel like stopping."
I sighed. "You're going to be late."
"For what?"
"For whatever it is you pretend to have scheduled."
He thought about it. "Worth it."
I unlocked my door and stepped inside. Julian followed without asking, like he always did.
He kicked off his shoes and immediately headed for the couch.
"Do you want water?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Did you bring your own glass?"
"No."
"Then no."
He grinned. "I'll get one."
He knew where they were.
That annoyed me.
I handed him a glass anyway.
He took it and leaned against the counter. "So what are you doing tonight?"
"I was going to do something productive," I said.
"And then?"
"And then you appeared."
"And now?"
"And now I'm reconsidering."
He smiled, satisfied.
We ended up sitting on opposite ends of the couch, both scrolling on our phones, occasionally interrupting each other.
"Look at this," he said, holding his phone out.
I glanced at it. "Why would anyone buy that?"
"Because they have confidence," he replied. "Or money."
"Neither of which you have."
"Rude."
"You started it."
A few minutes later, I leaned over. "Wait, scroll back."
He did. "This?"
"No, the other one."
"That?"
"Yes."
I squinted. "That's worse."
"I know," he said. "That's why I liked it."
We laughed.
At some point, Julian checked the time and groaned. "I really should go."
"You said that earlier."
"Yes, and yet," he said, "I'm still here."
I looked at him. "You're bad at leaving."
He nodded. "You make it difficult."
"That's not fair."
"It's accurate."
He stood up slowly, stretching. "Okay. I'm actually leaving now."
"Sure."
He took two steps toward the door, then turned around. "Did you eat enough?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You didn't look convinced."
"I am convinced."
He nodded. "Alright."
He opened the door, paused, then looked back at me. "Text me when you're done doing nothing."
"I always do."
"I know," he said. "That's why I asked."
He left.
I locked the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, smiling to myself.
Nothing had happened and yet, my place felt quieter already.