Two Worlds Between us

In the afternoon, Lua walked to that bookstore. The smell of paper and coffee mixed together greeted her as she pushed open the door. Her heart was racing, and her hands were a little sweaty.

She knew Barron would be there. He always was.

She walked through the narrow aisles, feeling the weight of what she wanted to say. It didn't take long to find him at the back of the store, sitting at a table with an open book in front of him. He didn't see her immediately, so Lua cleared her throat and approached slowly.

— Barron...

He looked up, surprised. The silence between them lingered longer than it should have, and Lua felt her stomach churn.

— I'm sorry, I was foolish — she finally said.

Barron raised an eyebrow, calmly closing the book. His eyes studied her face for a moment before he replied with a half-smile.

— You were.

Lua let out a muffled laugh, shaking her head.

— You could at least pretend I wasn't that stupid.

— But you were — he countered, still with that light tone, though his gaze showed a hint of hurt.

She sighed, crossing her arms.

— Do you want me to kneel?

Barron tilted his head to the side, thoughtful.

— That would be interesting.

— Not in a million years.

They stared at each other for a moment, and then Barron let out a sigh, looking down at the table.

— I listened to that band you like... Cigarettes After Sex.

Lua's eyes widened.

— Really?

He shrugged.

— Yeah. It's... melancholic. But I kind of get why you like it.

She bit her lip, surprised.

— And did you like it?

— Maybe a little, despite them having a peculiar name — he admitted, and a small smile formed at the corner of her lips.

Silence settled for a few seconds, until Barron looked at her again.

— What about you? Have you thought about playing The Last of Us to ease all that guilt? It's my favorite game.

Lua rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile.

— Was that an invitation?

— Depends. Are you still trying to redeem yourself?

She sighed dramatically.

— I guess I could consider it.

Barron smiled, and for the first time that day, Lua felt like maybe things could go back to normal between them.