Just Ask Her

Are you free this evening?

Lewis stared at his words on the glowing screen in front of him, which was a little too bright for him at this time of the night. His thumb hovered over the send button, but his mind was consumed with an inner turmoil.

Why was he thinking so much? Why on earth could he not send it? It was just a message. Worst case scenario, she’d say no.

But that was the problem, was it not? He didn’t want her to say no. He wouldn’t be able to bear it if she said no. Just the thought of it made him spring up from the bed abruptly as he paced up and down, running a hand through his charcoal black hair from time to time, as he muttered incoherent things to himself.

“This is so embarrassing.” He thought to himself. He looked at the phone in his hand, before dropping it onto the bed. Seeing it lying there, Lewis let out a frustrated groan. He had to try. He had to.

He picked up the phone, swiping it open, and was once again faced with the source of his frustration. He cleared the message in front of him, before proceeding to type another one.

Would you like to hang out this weekend?

No, just no. That was just wrong.

“This is so stupid.” He grumbled as he lay back onto his bed, his head resting on the pillow and his phone on his chest. This can’t possibly be so hard. He just had to send one message. One freaking message, which would put an end to his frustration. For that, all he had to do was press the blue button.

Lewis let himself get lost, wondering what would happen if she would say yes. For starters, he’d get to see her beautiful smile that lit up his world. He’d be able to hear her tinkling laughter, which was like music to his ears. He’d see her bright eyes that sparkled in the sunlight, and a warm feeling spread through his heart.

It was so easy. All he had to do was send a small message. He could do it. He knew he could do it. He just needed to try.

Lewis sat up, and began pressing the delete button repeatedly. Then, for the third time that evening, he tapped out a new message.

Do you want to catch up this Saturday?

“Well,” He thought.

“If you want to come off as desperate, you couldn’t have written a more perfect message.”

He was beyond exasperated with himself. This message made it so obvious he liked her. He rolled over and checked the time. Gods, it was 11:59 p.m. She should probably be asleep by now. She wouldn’t even respond. It would all have been in vain.

Lewis threw his phone, and buried his face into his pillow. He let out his stress by yelling loudly, which came out as muffled.

After a minute, he looked up. Exhausted, he reached out for his phone and deleted the message.

No, he wouldn’t do it. Not today.

But he would certainly try tomorrow.

And if not tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow.

He’ll keep on trying till the day he finally summons enough courage to ask her out.