Chapter Seven

                                    

                                          
The days after Micky confessed his feelings to Romy are strange. She doesn't run away from him every time he sees her like he feared, but she's also acting weird. Or weirder than usual. However, he's not giving up. 
"Morning!"
Romy looks around her to find no one there before looking back to Micky. "Good morning?"
"Yes, I'm talking to you. Stop making the same joke every day".
"But it's fun!"
"You know what's fun too? Going out to do fun stuff".
"I would assume so. Since it's fun stuff. As opposed to boring stuff".
"Yeah...you lost me there a little. But how about we meet later and go do something fun?"
"I...".
For Romy, hearing Micky say he likes her was a bit scary. She doesn't want to be part of a prank or something like that, like the cliché popular guy meets dorky girl story. She can't go through that. However, she can't lie to herself either and hearing those words...they gave her hope. Because Micky is...well, Micky. He's tall and handsome, he's nice, he's...great, actually. She was a bit worried about him being an asshole at first but he is the complete opposite. And so he makes her feel things she doesn't normally allow herself to feel. 
But going on dates? Too dangerous.
"I'm pretty busy with homework".
"Ok...but still, we don't have to be together all afternoon. Just long enough to do whatever".
"What would you want to do?"
"This isn't about me", he said, the big smile on his face making refusing him harder. "What do you do in your free time? Apart from painting".
"Kickboxing".
Micky laughs and Romy frowns at his reaction. "Are you for real?"
"Yeah. If you told me you do ballet in your free time, I wouldn't laugh".
"You would. But that's ok. We could kickbox...I've never done it but how hard can it be?"
"Famous last words".
They decide to meet after classes and Romy surprises Micky by wearing a very not Romy outfit. She still has an oversized jumper over her gym clothes but she's wearing gym clothes.
"I never expected you to own anything that was your size...or made of lycra".
"Well, I can't train wearing long skirts, can I?"
"I'm not complaining, Romy. I just wanted to know if it'd be possible for you to wear this more often. You know, girls like wearing gym clothes as normal clothes".
The now-famous Romy frown is back. "Stop being a man".
"I don't think I can. And I'm just trying to compliment how you look".
"But you're only achieving to make me feel insecure. That's why some of us prefer oversized clothes that hide our body".
Now it is Micky who frowns. "You don't have to hide when you're with me. Or feel insecure. You're perfect".
Romy just shakes her head before she starts walking to the gym, but Micky notices the way she's shivering.
"Are you cold?"
"No, don't worry. Let's go kick you so you aren't cold either".
And she isn't cold. The shivers are caused by Micky's words...again. 
Soon, they're ready to start their kickboxing session and Micky can't help but worry about how this plan could end. 
"I mean, you're tiny next to me. I feel this isn't fair".