Girl’s Gossip

"Maybe. I don't know… We just clicked, I guess. And then we took a long walk after dinner, just talking. And then we went to the bus stop…"

Laura's grin only grew. "Ooh, romantic bus stop moment? Please tell me he kissed you under a lamppost or something."

"No, nothing like that," Kayla said with a soft laugh. "We just… talked. And he was really sweet. And when I got off the bus, he waved at me from the window. It was simple, but… it felt special."

"That's so adorable! So, are you guys official now?"

Kayla blinked, her fingers tightening around her mug. "No. I mean, he didn't ask me anything like that. And I don't think I'm ready for that yet."

Laura nodded, her expression softening. "That's okay. Just take things at your own pace. But for what it's worth, it sounds like you had an amazing time."

"I really did," Kayla admitted, her smile turning dreamy. "I guess we'll just have to see what happens next."

Laura laughed. "Well, I'll be waiting for the next episode of the Matthew saga. And if you ever need a hype-woman, you know where to find me."

Kayla chuckled, warmth blooming in her chest. Having a best friend like Laura in her corner made everything feel a little less overwhelming. This was her first romantic encounter with a real guy, not just some cliché moment in her books, and having a person to talk to about the whole ordeal made her emotional. After all, she is considered as a newbie in the romance department with zero experience.

Kayla and Laura's conversation was filled with giggles and playful teasing. They both drank a sip of their drinks and settled into a cozy sitting position. Laura leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"So, you two ate at a fancy restaurant, huh?" Laura nudged her friend's arm with a sly smile. "I didn't expect Mr. Instagram-boy to be so classy."

Kayla chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I know, right? It felt surreal. He was so sweet and... I don't know. Just so genuine."

"You're totally smitten," Laura teased, her eyebrows wiggling. "He must be a charmer."

"Oh! Right, I remember. You said you've hurt yourself? Where?" Laura's smile wavered, concern flashing across her face.

"It's nothing, really. Just a small bump." Kayla shrugged. "But Matthew made it seem like a big deal. Like he actually cared."

Laura's gaze softened. "He should."

Their conversation was interrupted by a notification from Kayla's phone. The familiar chime of an Instagram message. Kayla's eyes widened as she quickly picked up her phone.

[1 Instagram Notification: Matthew sent you a message]

[Don't forget to eat, okay?]

Kayla's fingers hovered over the keyboard, a flutter of excitement in her chest. She glanced at Laura, who raised her eyebrows, waiting expectantly.

"Is that him?" Laura asked, her voice dripping with mischief.

"Yeah." Kayla giggled, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. "He's just reminding me to eat properly."

"Wow! This guy's good." Laura smiled wryly. "So… are you going to reply?"

"Yes, but I don't want to seem too eager." Kayla hesitated before typing her response.

[Kayla: Morning! I already did, thanks. How about you?]

Laura rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you're totally eager. I can see it all over your face."

Kayla stuck her tongue out playfully. "I just don't want to come off as desperate."

"But you do like him, right?"

"Yeah... I really do." Kayla admitted, her voice softening. "He's different. And I want to get to know him more."

Laura's smile turned gentle. "Then don't overthink it. Just be yourself. Besides, if he likes you as much as it sounds like he does, you have nothing to worry about."

Their conversation continued, Kayla sharing every little detail of her evening with Matthew. The way he smiled, the way he made her laugh, and how her nerves slowly melted away as the night went on. And as the morning stretched on, Matthew's messages continued to pop up on her phone, their conversation flowing as effortlessly as it had in person.

Laura glanced at her own phone, her expression shifting. "Ah, shoot. I have to get going. Group project meeting. But we'll definitely continue this conversation later. And you better keep me updated."

Kayla laughed. "Of course! Good luck with your group project."

"Thanks! And Kayla?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't hold back. Just enjoy the moment, okay?" Laura grinned, throwing a wave over her shoulder as she headed out the door.

Kayla stared at her phone, her conversation with Matthew still open. She smiled softly, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard. The prospect of seeing him again filled her with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

She slipped her phone back into her bag and finished her coffee before deciding to head home. As she made her way through the bustling campus and back to her apartment, her mind wandered to the night before. How natural it felt being with Matthew, how easy it was to laugh with him.

Once home, she dropped her bag on the couch and collapsed onto her bed, staring at the ceiling for a moment before sitting up abruptly. Her gaze fell on the book she had just bought, the one about romance and relationships that she hadn't read yet.

"A guide for Love and Affection. What an interesting book name. Well... maybe it'll help me figure things out," she mumbled, grabbing the book and flipping through its pages.

The book was practically a guidebook on romance, with chapters on everything from first dates to deepening connections. Kayla's eyes skimmed through various sections, searching for anything that might shed light on what she was feeling or how to navigate this new territory.

The chapter on 'Understanding Your Feelings' caught her eye. It spoke about recognizing attraction, dealing with nerves, and differentiating between genuine interest and mere infatuation. Kayla found herself nodding along, her cheeks heating up as some passages struck a little too close to home.

The next chapter was about 'Successful Dates and Building a Connection'. It detailed how spending time together in meaningful ways could strengthen bonds. Kayla's fingers traced the words, her mind wandering to the dinner with Matthew. The way he laughed at her jokes, how genuinely attentive he was when she spoke. It was like the book was laying out her night word for word.

"I guess I'm doing something right," she murmured, her lips curling into a smile.

Still, Kayla kept reading, eager to find more advice on navigating her own clumsiness in this unfamiliar realm of dating. For once, she felt like she was finally taking control of her own story, no matter how nerve-wracking it might be.

After reading for a while, Kayla closed the book and hugged it to her chest. The reassurance from its pages gave her a sense of calm. Maybe, just maybe, she was on the right track.

Encouraged by her newly built confidence, Kayla stood up and went to the kitchen. She decided to cook lavishly, as if celebrating her newfound circumstances.

Kayla tied her hair into a messy bun and rolled up her sleeves, her eyes gleaming with determination. The kitchen soon filled with the rich aroma of garlic and spices sizzling in hot oil. She decided to cook some braised chicken with vegetables.

Kayla chopped the vegetables with precision and marinated the chicken with enthusiasm, humming softly to herself. It felt oddly liberating, like she was pouring all her giddiness and relief into the food.

As she stirred the pot, her mind wandered back to Matthew's messages. The way he called her adorable, his concern for her, his interest in what she was doing; it all played over and over in her head like a catchy song she couldn't get rid of.

She laughs at her own silliness as she set the table. The plates gleamed under the light, and Kayla felt a rush of accomplishment as she placed the finished dishes with care.

She took a seat and picked up her fork, pausing to admire her handiwork. She then poured some champagne to her glass and raised it up, as if she had someone with her clanking glass.

"Cheers to... me, I guess?" she chuckled and dug in, savouring the flavours that somehow tasted sweeter than usual.