27 The Cassette Tape (1/2)

I stepped into my room, exhausted from a whole day of cycling with Nathan and Antonia. I was literally covered in sweat; I needed a shower right away.

Just a few hours earlier we had been lost following some trail that Antonia suggested. We had to use Google Maps to find our way eventually.

I plopped my backpack onto the carpet and took a quick shower.

”Finally…” I wiped myself off and tied my towel around my waist, stepping back into my room after a much-needed wash. I stretched my arms, feeling relaxed and a bit thirsty.

As I reached into my backpack for my water bottle, I felt something that was unfamiliar. To my surprise, there was a cassette tape that had been mysteriously placed inside. The word 'moonlight' had been written on its label.

It had to be Nathan, I thought. Only he would know how to use a tape recorder, and that I owned a vintage cassette deck. What was this, the 80s?

I stared at the clock. It was late noon and I had nothing to do the rest of the evening.

Oh, well, I thought.

I played the tape on the deck, not really knowing what to expect.

As the tape began to play, I could hear the soothing strum of guitar chords. It was apparently a song. I sat close to the player to listen.

Smile gleaming like daisies

A kiss so very electric

Your touch that lingers in the dead of night

Under the blue moonlight

The eyes that bloom

That fades my gloom

A feeling that beams through the clouds

Like the rays of the moon

Stay a lil' longer

Just a bit more time

Though you have somebody

Know it ain't a crime

Just a lil' moment

Just a lil' sign

Tell me where we're going

If we'd cross the line

Cause don't you know,

Don't you know,

Don't you know,

You blow the clouds away tonight

You are the star that's twice as bright

You show me the moonlight

With Nathan's voice fading away, I stopped the player. I didn't know what to think, or what to say. Was this his way of telling me he wanted to be with me? He went out of his way to write a song for me?

I felt a wave of mixed emotions; on one hand, I loved the song and I was completely flattered that he would do this for me. I loved how cute this gesture was. On the other hand, what was I supposed to do about it? I had Brad, so it wasn't like I could just break up with him to be with Nathan.