“Hey,” I echo.
“Did you just get off work?”
“Yup. I’m exhausted too. It’s been a long week already.”
Holden hesitates. “You wanna come back to my place for a bit?”
The invitation would’ve been an easy decision on any other night. It even sounds fun. Something we do literally all the time. But something in me pauses, recalling the warmth of his arm around my shoulders.
“No, I think I need some rest. I really am worn out.”
His expression falls. “Oh. Okay.”
“How about you? You just getting off too?”
“Yeah. It was a late night at the gym.” He groans. “I’m so over these kids’ summer camps, let me tell you.”
I snicker. “You sure loved them when we were kids, though.”
Holden seems pleased by the memory, but shakes his head. “It’s different being on the other side of it. Nine hours of constant shouting and chaos?” He drops his head back, as if in agony.
I playfully punch his arm. “You’re doing great, though. It’s already July, which means summer break is half over.”
“Yeah, I guess. I just miss the quiet, you know. When I could actually get up on the walls between customers.”
“You want to climb?”
It’s a stupid question. It’s like asking if the sky is blue. And he has that subtle tension in his shoulders, like things are getting to him.
Holden doesn’t just want to climb. He needs to.
He just shrugs without answering.
“Well, why don’t we go soon? You and me.” The words slip from me faster than I can process, but it’s too late to take them back. Besides, I like climbing. It’ll be fun. And it’ll give me a chance to see him again.
My heart flutters. Shit, what is going on with me?
“I’d like that. When can you go?”
“Um, Sunday, maybe?”
He shakes his head. “I work in the morning, but maybe Sunday evening?”
“Sure, if you’re still up for it after your shift. Just text me.”
“Oh, I’ll be up for it.” He flexes his hands, his mind somewhere far away. He definitely needs this.
“Alright. I’ll be there.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course. Sounds fun.”
A few minutes later, my name gets called. I step forward, grab my box, then turn back to Holden.
“I’ll see you Sunday then?”
He briefly taps my back. “Bye, Kor.”
