It's late at night, there's school tomorrow, and yet he's laying awake. "Will you wait for me until I'm 18?" That question circled his mind endlessly. It was the sole reason he was feeling so conflicted and awake at midnight. He's three years older than her, will there even be a moment where fate puts them together again?
That morning, Foxer Levine, a senior, was just at his locker per usual. His day was fine and going well, no conflicted feelings at all. That is until a girl decided to approach him. She looked younger and is definitely not one of the seniors. She was shy and hesitant, fingers fiddling with one another.
"Uhm... I know I may be a bit too young but... I really like you," she muttered. He was a bit caught off guard by the confession. It's not supposed to be new, but it still is.
"Well I uh... I don't know... You said it yourself, you're young so I don't wanna date minors-"
"Then wait for me," she cut him off, rendering him speechless.
"Wait for you?" He asked after stammering.
"Wait until I'm old enough. Will you wait for me until I'm 18?" She innocently asked, her expression a mix of confidence and pleading.
What is he even supposed to say in that situation? Say yes? Predatory behaviour, hit he doesn't want to break a girl's heart.
Too nice. You're being too nice, those words repeated. He was being too nice. He told her to he'd think about it, even when the correct answer was clear.
You're supposed to say no. What are you waiting for? She's just a girl, the thoughts came back. Just a girl. That's all she is, but yet...
"Maybe a coin will help," he muttered, grabbing a coin from his nearby wallet.
Idiot! The thoughts screamt. He ignored it and did the flip of fate. Tails if no, heads if yes. Strangely, he wanted a heads deep down. Why? He doesn't know. She's way younger while he was already legal to get married and have kids. He did the flip of fate: tails.
He grumbled and subconsciously continued to flip it, taking five tries to get heads. If not for his drowsiness, maybe he'd notice the stupid smile taking over his face. What was attracting him to a fifteen-year-old? He can always find women his age. By the time she graduates, he'll either have a full time job or in college somewhere. Do they even have time for romance? He had too many questions, and yet frustrated they were all unanswered. Though one specific question pierced through everything: what can he provide for her? How can he keep her satisfied and provided as a boyfriend and possibly even as a husband? He could barely put food on his table, how can he even buy her a wedding ring? He lives in a small and (almost) empty apartment with only his part time and side jobs to provide himself. How can he ever give her a comfortable home? How can he satisfy her desires? One meal a day, or two is he's lucky, and it's barely ever filling.
He sighed and laid back down. His situation isn't the best, but it's not too late right? He didn't get held back because he was stupid. He chose to be held back to relearn the entire grade to take the exam. It's just to refresh his memory. All the thinking and doubt had definitely drained almost all his energy considering he had already dozed off without even realising.