If And Maybe

After their breakfast, they sat around talking. Except for Wendy who left minutes after she was done. Otto kept their conversation going long enough to make what he was about to bring up not sound like he'd been thinking about it all night. He waited until they let silence in and then he said, "Okay, seriously, why do you always say things like that?"

"What did I say?" Sawyer looked at him.

"Not you, Elle." That made her look up. "Wade was right. Or is right. We're not stupid. They way you say what your friends think about us. And then expect some kind of reaction that only you think we should give."

Sawyer hadn't expected this. Who is he to get involved until it's over?

"I'm not saying you're stupid. You're not. It's just…"

"You pride yourself in clear communication but you're awfully vague about this. What exactly are we missing? And how important is this thing you say we're missing?"

Sawyer chuckled shaking his head.

"What?" Otto asked.

"No nothing."

"You're missing you." Noelle answered. "Do you not see yourself?"

"Quite frankly, I avoid mirrors." Otto leaned back in his chair.

Sawyer burst into laughter. "You know what? Never mind. You're right. It's not important. But let me ask you this, when last did you confidently ask a girl out?"

"Confidently?"

"Never." Sawyer answered. "But nervously, fall on my face ask? Fourteen or so."

They turned to Otto. "Me?" He shook his head. "I was fifteen maybe. She said no and I never did it again. You know, kind of how I asked you and you said no."

"Crap that's true! So eighteen."

It was Otto's turn to laugh. "I get your point. So I'll admit it. I asked Wendy cause I was absolutely sure."

"I wasn't entirely sure. For all I knew, it could have been another Elle situation."

She looked from Otto to Sawyer. "Alright, whatever."

Sawyer looked at the time on his phone. "I have to be get back. Hannah might be waiting for me." He stood up. "Again Elle, I'm so sorry."

She smiled. "It's okay."

He nodded, waved and left. He had his date outside school with Hannah tonight.

Otto studied Elle and her smile. She's not the only one who can ask questions. He wondered what would happen if he asked his.

***

After hours together already, Hannah left Sawyer's room at 18:00 and by 19:37, they were sitting in the restaurant she'd chosen for their date. Her smile much bright than his. Sawyer's was almost forced. It made her worry. In fact, he'd been off all day. Which is why she'd kept from asking him why Otto was banging on his door. Not that everyone knew everyone in their hostel, but when a story goes around with the name 'Wade', it's easy to piece it together. But now, she didn't want to hold back. "This is supposed to be fun. You've been anything but all day."

Sawyer raised a brow. "What?"

"I should be asking you that. What's wrong?"

Sawyer shrugged. "Nothing."

"That's not true. You were against this from the moment I brought it up. And now we're here and-"

He frowned. "No. That's not it. I promise. With how good you look." He have gave her a once over, breaking out a mischievous smile. "How wouldn't I want you out? Make everyone else jealous. You look amazing." He reached his hand over the table for hers.

"Sawyer," she sighed. For a second she forgot what she was trying to say. How did he do that? "Why was Otto banging on your door last night?"

His smile vanished. "He didn't."

"He clearly did. Half the hostel was talking about it. Are you going to lie to me?"

Their first fight? "Hannah, we're supposed to be having a good time. I don't see how this will help."

"Not telling me would probably be worse."

Well… she might be right. Maybe they'll go back early and he can be alone in his room. "He was upset cause I yelled at Noelle."

"You- why?" Her forehead creased.

He explained, confusing himself when trying to explain what it is Noelle did. Or does. Hannah seemed to get it.

"Is that why you've been in a mood?"

"I'm not in a mood. I just- I think my desire to socialize today got eaten by last night's party."

"We could go back."

He shook his head. "No. We planned this. I'm sure I'll get into it. Plus I haven't had anything since breakfast , I plan to enjoy this." He smiled and she chuckled.

"Sawyer?"

Hearing his name, he tore his eyes away from Hannah, seeing a familiar facing coming up behind Hannah. Hannah looked back as he said, "Laura."

"Hi." Laura smiled as she came up to them.

"It's been a while." He smiled. Hannah looked at him again.

"Yeah."

Hannah's eyes landed on Laura again. "This it my girlfriend Hannah."

Laura looked at her. "Hi. Nice to meet you."

"I haven't seen you in school since…" He trailed off, trying to remember when exactly.

"Last session." How could she forget?

"Yeah. What are the odds that we'd meet outside school?"

Laura laughed a short laugh. "I just got here, I'm meeting someone. I just had to say hi." Sawyer nodded. "See you in another few months then."

Sawyer chuckled. "If you're lucky. How's umm… Zeke? Right? That is his name?"

"We broke up." His reaction was a slow nod. "Okay, I'll be going now. See you around. If you're lucky."

Sawyer chuckled as he waved.

Now that they're alone at their table again. "Laura?"

"We went out once bef-" He still can't do it. He smiled. "We went out once."

"Why?" "I forgot to answer her calls after that and she didn't like that." Technically it's true.

Hannah smiled. "Lucky for me, I crashed into your door."

His face lit up. "How exactly did that happen anyway?"

That's more like what she expected. A smile that said; 'I'm here with you and I like it.' "Did you not know how heavy it was? You and Otto had to carry it together. Imagine how I got down all those stairs."

Sawyer burst into laughter. "I never thought about it."