His eyes flashed over to Elsie, letting go of his bracelet and giving Elsie a small wave.
"Hello. Sorry i thought we could get to know each other and maybe talk about the project. Don't feel obligated to Stay though."
He says to her as he walked up to her.
"Oh, it's fine," she responded, glancing at Rye and Lance quickly before turning her gaze back to Levi. "I don't have anything better to do today anyway."
"Oh okay. Well this is Rye if you don't know her already"
He says motioning to Rye with a little smile as he did.
"And sorry this is on such short notice."
He says to her trying to straighten the collar of his shirt then looking around Lance then back at Elsie.
"Hi Rye! I don't think we've really met before; I'm Elsie. It's nice to meet you," she greeted the other girl warmly, then waved off Levi's apology. "I told you, it's fine."
Lance had been looking at his phone for a second answering his brother's texts that he got into a play he had auditioned for. When he looked up he noticed Elsie was now there talking to the others, "Oh, hey Elsie!" He exclaimed.
"Hey Lance!" she waved to him. "Didn't think I'd be seeing you so soon."
"Hi." Rye dropped her necklace, she couldn't help but love the way it shined in the sun. "It's nice to meet you. We Lance and I were about to get icecream if you want to join. I already had some, I'm just keeping him company." She smiled like usual. Rye always tried her best to smile. She didn't really like being mad or sad. Levi was one of the few people to ever see her cry. Earlier she was close to crying but didn't.
"Only if you don't mind me coming along. It's fine with me either way," she attempted to seem friendly and polite. Elsie didn't want to overstep her boundaries; she just met these people, after all.
Levi was actually really confused at this point, but not daring to show it, he just stood there watching their interactions trying to remember if they're friends or of they had just met today or something. He didn't think he saw them walking together or hanging out with each other at school?
"Of course." Rye waved for her to come. "Levi, are going to come?" Of course Rye didn't want to leave him out. Where she was he was always welcome, plus this is a good time for him and Lance to talk. Rye looked at his bracelet, it really did fit him well. She only hoped she did the necklace he got her justice. Walking over she grabbed his hand and smiled. Of course she didn't really care who was around, but he probably did, so she only held it for a few seconds then let go.
Lance stood by, waiting for Levi to answer so they could go. He noticed as Rye held Levi's hand for a few seconds but didn't think anything of it, *I wonder how long they've been friends," he thought.
He was a little thrown off when she let go of his hand. He subtly stood closer to her, grabbing her hand once again, through gently so she had the chance to pull away if she wanted. Right now, he didn't care who was around. He was still debating about telling her his feelings. Maybe it wasn't unnecessary? Maybe they could turn into something?
But the only questions he was asking himself were one; did she feel the same way? And two….. If they did get in a relationship….would it be a good one or would it turn out like his parents? No…..
If they did get to be something more….he wasn't ever going to let that happen.
Rye slightly giggled when Levi grabbed her hand again. It was nice that even though people were around he still wanted to hold her hand, even if people would mistake their relationship. "Alright, let's go get some icecream." Instead of letting go, she tightened her grip and dragged Levi along with her. Something in her chest felt weird. This has been happening a lot. Ignoring it she continued on. "Lance, how has soccer been lately. You should tell me when your next game is so I can cheer you on."
Lance thought for a moment, "My next game is Thursday and today is Monday, correct?" He replied. He was barely paying attention as he was more interested in the relationship between Rye and Levi at the moment, They totally like each other, there's no doubt. He laughed quietly to himself.
"We should go hang out some time. To get to know each other more." Rye realized what she was saying and got a bit shy. What if he thinks I'm asking him on a date. Am I asking him out on a date? Rye didn't even know what liking someone felt like since she's never felt that way before. Her cheeks reded a little. This was a lot more difficult than ask Levi to hang out for some reason. Was it because she and Levi have known each other longer?
Elsie silently walked along, sticking near the back. She noticed the whole handholding between Levi and Rye; she didn't think they were together right now, although they might be soon, given how they act with each other. She was a little unsure about Rye; Rye seemed to be interested in Lance one moment then attached to Levi the next. Levi, though… she could tell he liked her. It was obvious the moment he looked at her, how he allowed her to do things he wouldn't let others, the way he smiled at her. Oh dear, this was so awkward. She wasn't sure she could handle much longer. She had to though; she was invited. It would be rude to leave suddenly.
"That'd be fun, when do you you want to?" He asked, he dropped his pace slightly to match Elsie's and smiled at her, "Do you do any after school stuff? Like sports or theatre?" He asked, thinking of his brother.
"Oh same with you Elsie."
Levi turned a little bit to look at her near the back. He thought nothing of it to be honest. He was actually really oblivious when it came to relationships and feelings. It took him FOREVER to realize his feelings for Rye. Then even more time to admit it to himself.
But for now, he had one person on his mind. As usual.
Rye.
"Surprisingly, for how clumsy I am, I do dance. Been doing it since I was five. But no, we usually meet yo on every other weekend. So I'm free." Rye was excited, she wanted to know what they were going to do now. Dinner was so boring, maybe skating or a theme park, those were always good. Or… "You should teach me soccer!" Rye finally let go of Levi's hand and turned around to face Lance. "Please, that would be so much fun." Rye loved learning new things, and if it involved her friends, it was even more fun. "But I understand if you don't want to, since I am clumsy and all."
"Huh?" Elsie glanced up at Levi distractedly. "One on one? Isn't that kind of… you know…?"
"Well its necessary. If we're going to be partners we're going to have to know how each of us work with one another. Maybe learn each others pet peeves so we don't tick each other off. Things like that"
Levi says with a shrug. Though wondering what she was talking about. Simply shaking the curiosity off.
"Sure, I could teach you to play soccer, anyone can learn, no matter how clumsy." Lance replied.
"True," she admitted. "Yeah, alright." He didn't seem to react at what she said at all. Was he simply ignoring it or really oblivious to how what he had said sounded?
"Yay." Excitement filled her, she couldn't wait to try soccer, her mom was one to not let her play many boy sports, with fear she may get hurt. That's another thing why she was grateful for Levi, whenever they hung out he never really stopped her from doing much, unless it was actually dangerous. "So, when is a good day for for?" She could pretty much do it whenever, but Lance seemed like a busy guy.
"Ummm, I'd say Wednesday." Lance replied, "I'm not doing anything that day, I would say tomorrow but I'll be busy." Lance paused after kicking a rock on the sidewalk, "Does that work for you?" He asked looking at her.