forum "You DO like me!" "I don't think 'like' is the right word." "You tolerate me." "Maybe." one on one

Started January 29, 2021 by @cryptic-glitch

tune

"Ughhhhhh." She pushed him away weakly. "I'm fine. I told you I was taking a walk."

"You threw up, Orion… you're not okay…" Lin fidgeted with his hands, his heart racing. "Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"The hospital?" She laughed. "I told you, I'm fine. She hauled herself to her feet and stumbled a few steps forward. "See? Fine."

"You don't look fine to me… did you drink last night or something?" He asked uneasily.

"I didn't drink anything. I'm not an idiot, Lin." She stood for a minute, head swimming. "I think water would help, though."

Lin sighed softly and wrapped Orion's arm around his shoulders so he could help her. "Alright. Let's get you some water."

"Don't touch me." She shoved him away. "No. I can do it." She forced herself to walk.

"Orion, please let me help you… something's wrong." Lin sighed and kept close to her in case she collapsed or something.

"I said I can do it. Fuck off." She finally, finally reached the car and opened the door, and began rummaging around for her waterbottle.

Lin winced a bit at her tone, falling quiet. He was trembling a bit with nerves, and he seemed uneasy. He thought something was seriously wrong with Orion, and he wasn't really sure what to do.

"Jesus, Lin. You can calm down." She gulped down a whole bottle of water and shoved a mint into her mouth. "There isn't anything wrong. I just had a breakdown. I'm fine."

"A-Are you sure?" He asked softly, still fidgeting nervously. "I just… this… this doesn't look good… or healthy…"

"Of course it isn't healthy. I puked on the side of the goddamn road, you idiot."

"I'm worried about you, okay?" Lin snapped a bit, still trembling. "I just want to help you. I don't know what you want from me, but being a jerk isn't really helping."

Orion laughed. "Obviously. Lin, you might not get this, but I don't exactly know how to not be a jerk. And worrying isn't going to do much. Except aggravate me."

Lin sighed shakily and looked away, seeming uneasy. "I just… I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I try to help, and you just tell me to f… f-fuck off, and… and call me an idiot, and I really just don't know what you want from me."

"Lin. Have you ever had a teacher tell you that when someone is mean to you that means they like you?" She looked at him over her glasses.

"No…?" Lin seemed confused, and still a bit upset. "Usually being mean is just… being mean. Aren't you supposed to be nice to people if you like them?"

"If you're me, no." She chewed on her bottom lip. "I don't think you get what I'm saying."

"If you're me, no." She chewed on her bottom lip. "I don't think you get what I'm saying."

"Probably not…" Lin sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, still looking very uneasy.

"I think you're cute." She raised her eyebrows, waiting for his response.

Lin flushed a bit, seeming taken aback. "I… ah… thanks?" He replied awkwardly. "Um… you're cute too…?"

"JESUS CHRIST, LIN!" she yelled. "Oh, my God. You are the stupidest person I've ever met. I cannot believe I have a crush on you," she said under her breath.

Lin stared at Orion for a couple seconds, his eyes wide with confusion. After a bit, it seemed to click, and he flushed harder. "Oh! I-I… um…"