CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: SLEEPOVER

                                    

                                          
Tristan was delighted to hear Angel was doing fine and is very excited to watch her play. It's been two weeks and rehearsal has been fun for them. They have just two months before the day of the play. Tristan was flying to New York to see Angel. They haven't seen each other for almost a month since their lovely reunion so this visit was a total necessity. "Wow! He's so sweet. Flying across states just to see your annoying ass" Clarissa said to Angel who hasn't let the smile on her face disappear even for a second. 
"What? I'm not that annoying" she defended. "Girl, your middle name is trouble. Remember the time someone called you a baby because you cried over a dead cat?" Clarissa brings back an old memory. "That isn't being annoying, that's being sweet and humane" she replied. "Would you let me finish? You yelled at the guy telling him you're not a baby, he apologizes but you always snorted at him whenever you saw him since then, you even went ahead and threatened him that you'll have him arrested if ever looked at Zhilan again" Clarissa added. "Yes. Because he was staring at her ass!" She yells jokingly. "That ass is meant to be stared at" Zhilan chipped in and they laughed. "You even reported him to Mrs. Joan and he almost got punished until Zhilan said it was not a big deal" She laughed. "Okay. Maybe that one time but I was having emotional period cramps, so blame it on hormones" she argued then they all laughed. 
After a few hours, Zhilan and Angel were preparing some snacks for Tristan's arrive which is in three hours time. Zhilan was showing Angel the steps to take and she did them well. The result was great. She made him some chicken pie and cheesecake. Their room was quite busy. Clarissa was busy with their dress, that girl is always creating a new dress. She was making something they'd wear for the weekend which was Angel's Zhilan's birthday. They were going to have a birthday party and she wasn't going to let it flop. 
"I told you guys I don't want something too serious," Zhilan complained. But Clarissa never believes in overdressing. You're either not well dressed or well dressed. Everyday calls for an amazing look. 
*****
Angel arrives at the airport to pick Tristan whose plane arrived two minutes ago. She spots him pulling his portable box with a card in his hands, she waved her hands and ran over to hug him. They hugged for a moment before departing. 
"How was your flight?" Angel asked, looking at him from the corner of her eyes. "It wasn't bad. 7 hours is long" he replied with his eyes glued to the road. They arrive at Nathan's place in a few minutes. 
"Angel!" Nathan hugs her sweetly. "It's so nice to have you here. Welcome to my humble abode" he bows dramatically and Angel laughed. "The pleasure is all mine. Thank you" She is offered a drink by Nathan. "Oh I forgot the cake in the car. I'll be right back" she says and quickly heads out. She takes the elevator and scrolls downstairs to grab the pie and cakes from her car. 
                          
Meanwhile, Tristan seemed nervous and Nathan noticed. "Are you okay man?" He asks. Tristan ruffled his hair with his hands and then rubbed his palms together nervously. "I want to ask her to be my girlfriend. I don't know if she's still in that boat with me. She's giving me this friend zone vibe. You know, hugs like I'm her best friend and she doesn't look me in the eyes directly" he states and Nathan laughed. "What's funny?" Tristan furrowed his brows. 
"Dude, you're so dumb. That girl came over to pick you from the airport, brought you here, baked you a cake and you're still not sure if she's in the same boat with you? This is Angel for God's sake. Just ask her and if she says no then fine at least you get to know" Nathan advised. "Wow! Who are you and what have you done with Nathan?" Tristan jokes and before Nathan could reply, the doorbell rang and the door went open. "So, I baked this for you guys with the help of Zhilan of course. That girl is a sorceress in the kitchen. I hope you like it" she added and they happily collected it. Tristan quickly took a bite and he moaned with his eyes closed, Nathan did the same thing. "Wow! They are really nice no jokes" Tristan says and Angel was happy to hear that. 
Shortly afterwards, Nathan went out and told them to feel free. "So what do we do?" Angel asked. Before Tristan even answered the question, her eyes came across some Disks. "Oh my God I've never had the chance to watch the Harry Potter series. What do you think?" She suggested. "Say no more. I'll check to see if Nathan has any drinks. Or something or whatever!" He rants and quickly heads to the fridge in the kitchen, thankfully there were other drinks other than something that would knock them out. He picks four drinks. When he got to the sitting room he saw blankets on the carpet and smiled. "Figured we might as well make it special. Got the blankets from the guest room" Angel says. They placed the snacks and drinks in front of them and then positioned to watch their movie. Angel turned off the lights and it was only the lights from the TV that illuminated the room. 
They ate slowly and enjoyed their movie. They would frequently laugh and make a comment about something related to the movie. 
Angel reached out for her phone when a notification chimes in. She realized the It was currently 8pm. "Oh I gotta go. It's 8pm and I have an early class tomorrow" she says but there was no reply. She glanced at Tristan and he was asleep already. She smiled and thought of what to do. She carefully cleared the cartons and empty bottles. As she was trying to move the rest of the blankets over him, he awoke. "What did I miss?" He yawned lazily. "Nothing really. I'm heading home now" she says and Tristan grunts. "Sleep here. Please" Tristan begged. "I have early class tomorrow," she complained. "How early?" Tristan asked, furrowing his eyebrows. "9," Angel replied. "Then we can make it. There's a car. I just...don't want you to go" he replied quietly. Of course Angel wanted to stay, this is what she wanted too. She picks up her phone and texts Clarissa and Zhilan. 
"Not coming back today. Staying over with Tristan, TTYL" she sent the message. "Okay." They continued their movie and an hour later Tristan's stomach growled. 
"Hungry?" She asks and Tristan nodded. "Let's make something then" she suggested. They stood up and cleared the blankets. Tristan's phone started ringing. It was Nathan. 
"Hey man, I'm sorry to leave you alone but I won't be returning tonight. There's almost anything and everything in the house, just check wherever." He says over the phone. "Okay. That's fine. Well Angel is here" Tristan says. "Is she sleeping over?" Nathan asks and Tristan nodded as if he could see him "yes, she is" he replied. "Woah! Things are gonna be..." "bye!" Tristan ended the call before he could finish his sentence. 
But he received a message almost immediately. It was a tongue out emoji with a wink from Nathan. Tristan laughed and shook his head. "Crazy!" He muttered and joined Angel in the kitchen. 
She ended up making pancakes and scotched eggs with juice. "Wow! You've really changed. The old Angel didn't know her way around the kitchen" he joked. "Ha ha ha, very funny." 
                          
They ate and the rest of the evening went on with them still watching Harry Potter until it was midnight. Angel yawned and that was their cue. "Hey, Uhm can I wear any of your shirts? I didn't come prepared" she asked shyly and Tristan handed her one of his shirts. 
She took them and went into the room where Tristan's stuff was kept. She showered and wore his shirt. She held the neck of the shirt and inhaled his scent. A knock came in and she quickly fixed her shirt. "Come in" she said aloud and the door went open. 
This is the first time he's seeing Angel in his shirt. It fitted her more than it fits him, he thought. Unaware that he was currently staring at her bare body. She moved shyly out of the way and Tristan went into the bathroom to shower. 
It was awkward when they lay on the bed, both facing the ceiling. 
This isn't exactly how I pictured the night to go. Angel's mind says.
"Are you okay?" Tristan breaks the silence and Angel replies with "mhmm". 
The night was still young but the sleep wasn't waiting for either of them to make the decision to sleep so it came for one of them first then the other followed. They slept off staring at the ceiling. 
                          
*****
MORNING. 
                          
Morning came and Tristan was out of bed already. Angel looked around and he was gone, she stood up and walked outside. She met Tristan preparing breakfast and she smiled. "Morning," Tristan says as soon as he sees her. She smiled and replied 'Morning. Hmmm whatever you're making, smells great!" 
"It does" he replies and Angel rolled her eyes. They had breakfast, showered, got dressed and Angel drove back to the dorm. She arrived at 8:15 and met the girls still getting ready. 
"Hmmm I can see the glow, can you see the glow?" Clarissa jokes with Zhilan. "Yes, yes, it is so radiant," Zhilan replied. Angel laughed. "Now I know your eyes are not working properly because there is no glow," she replied, placing her bag on the table. She pulled off her dress and searched for some fresh clothes. 
"What're you talking about?" Zhilan asked, "Nothing happened guys, not even a kiss." Angel sounded disappointed. "Wow! Why? Did your mouth stink or something?" Clarissa jokes. Angel laughed. "I think he's respecting my decision. And I kinda feel good about that. He didn't try to do anything and even though I wanted him to, I'm glad he didn't. I wouldn't want us to rush into things until we're something or something" she explained with a warm smile. 
"Wow! Not a lot of men out there will sleep next to a beautiful and attractive woman like you and not try to be nasty. He's a gentleman" Clarissa says. "Aw" Zhilan sings like a baby. 
"Yeah, he's not most men. He's Tristan." Angel says in a dreamy way. 
"You mean 'the' Tristan" Zhilan winks and she laughs. "Yes, Zhilan. The Tristan" Angel added. "Well let's head to class, it's 8:40 already and I'm not ready to hear any of Zhilan's creepy stories about some animal or maybe this time around, a dead body. Thank you" Clarissa mocked and they burst into laughter.
They head out and Clarissa drives them to class and thankfully they are not late. 
                          
They went on with rehearsals and as usual, theater was fun. 
•••••••
"Dude! Why didn't you make any move?" Nathan shouts, he was driving them to a hangout spot for lunch. "Because I respect her privacy. I would have made the move if things weren't rocky between us right now. I have to ask her out first" Tristan replied. 
"Okay, man. That's good. I'm proud of you man. You're learning pretty fast" Nathan proudly says. "Excuse me, learning what?" Tristan laughs. "All these relationship lessons. Don't tell me you're not learning them from me?" He jokes. "You? Nathan, you've never had a girlfriend. Hell I don't think you've ever been in love" Tristan mocks. "Whatever man! I know I'm a fucking Frankenstein" he jokes and they both laugh. 
Tristan was going to finally ask Angel out and whatever her reply is, he'll accept it as fate but a very huge side of him has the feeling that she's not going to say no.