[When she finally does find out the meaning, she'll remember that off hand comment and find a blanket or pillow to hide under for a few minutes. Or days. She's not even considered that, as she's still a bit sheltered, even after all this time.]

[Words fail her as she hears his response, and at first all she can do is hug him tighter. It feels wonderful to hear those words, and the emotion behind them. She knows just what he means, though... somehow these stolen moments feel as though they both last forever and are gone far too quickly. Maybe that's why she wants to dedicate so much of it to memory, from the way he smells to the feel of his hands in hers, or being close enough to feel one another's heartbeats.]

It's all so confusing, in so many ways. But... I'd like to figure it out with you.

[She trusts him, perhaps because he's ever bit as nervous as she is. She's seen people flirt with her friends before, and many times it's come across as a polished routine, slick words with no real feeling behind them. The way they're both sort of stumbling their way through this, it feels... pure, in a way.]

So I guess it's safe to say we like like each other? That we're... [There are certain words she's afraid to use, no matter how intense her feelings, so there's a pause before she finishes the thought.] ...dating?