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There. She had said it. And his answer made her want to fall over with relief and run off screaming at the same time. But at least she knew now. No more worrying about if it was true or not. No more agonizing over how to act around him. Actually, she realized that last part was still totally there as her eyes flicked from his face down to her hands and back up, over and over again. She said nothing, though her mind was screaming at her to at least respond in one way or another.
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Caden flicked his gaze back at her before looking away and back at her, the silence awkward this time. "So...we still friends or did I go and ruin it all?" He asked, genuinely worried.
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Iris looked anywhere but at his face, sitting stock-still, something she only did when she was incredibly nervous. "No... Look, uh... I've been fighting with myself for a while, but even more since yesterday. Wondering if..." She lowered her voice a notch so passing students wouldn't overhear them. "If I liked you back." 'Just say it!!!' her mind yelled. "And, um... I think..." 'Do it already, you coward!' Iris's gaze found his face and locked onto it. "I think I do." It was quiet enough to be a whisper. She didn't really have any thoughts, just watched Caden's face and waited for what he had to say.
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A weight pulled off his shoulders when she spoke, his features softening. "Thank goodness, now I know it wasn't really something to regret saying." Caden chuckled warmly, keeping his gaze locked on hers as the late dawn flipped through the windows.
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Iris relaxed with him, and she inhaled deeply, heart rate slowing. She gave a nervous laugh, still unsure what to do. "Yeah." She kept her eyes on his, feeling like she couldn't pull away even if she wanted to. Then she realized she wasn't acting right. "Sorry," she muttered, breaking his gaze. "Haven't really done anything like this before,"
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Caden huffed a laugh, casting his gaze out to the chatter of the room. "Neither have I so we're learning together," He noted, covering a yawn as he took a sip of the RedBull he'd grabbed from his fridge.
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Iris chuckled a little, tension easing even more. She followed his gaze around the room, then came back to herself. "So what do you have planned today?" She looked at him, noticing once again how much taller than her he was.
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Caden thought for a second, remembering. "Nothing, it's my only free day of the week so i've got no classes." He explained, looking back over.
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(lol I thought it was Sunday? I could be wrong though) . Iris nodded. "Same here. Though I do have to finish a few things before my classes tomorrow." She drummed her fingers on the table, glancing around at the room. Maybe twenty other people were milling about, eating and chatting in groups.
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(lol i dont know xD) Caden nodded in acknowledgement, listening to her words before not following her gaze and instead keeping his on her. Her features he took in well, memorizing them.
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