Word count : 942 words (4 865 characters)
“Ash.. what on earth are you wearing?” You stood awkwardly outside one of the bathroom stalls, staring at Ashley. She thought it would be hilarious to go to school dressed as Cupid for Valentine’s Day.
“I told you I was going to dress as Cupid!” She says with a big smile. You were speechless.
“I thought you were joking!” You whisper-yelled to her. It definitely wasn’t the usual colours she wore, especially not to school.
It was a poofy, white and pink dress with light pink ribbons all over. She even had the bow and arrow with the heart tip. Even down to feather wings on her back. Definitely wasn’t the craziest thing she’s worn, but still, she mostly wore black and purple not white and pink. To be fair she did show up to school in one of those blow up dinosaur costumes.
“Don’t you think it’s cute? I was going to go around school pretending to be Cupid!” She was definitely excited. You sighed. Once Ash had an idea there was really no talking her out of it and you knew that.
The two of you walked out of the bathroom, making your way to the gym. Since Valentines Day was in a couple days, the school was throwing a dance for the students. And of course, got the very same students to help organize it.
The rest of your group was sitting in a corner blowing up balloons and working on a banner. Larry, Ash and you had been assigned to work on the banner whilst Todd and Sal blew up some balloons. Well, more Todd blowing up the balloons and Sal tying them.
As Ash and you resumed your sides of the banner, she leaned over to you with a smirk.
"You knowww, since im 'cupid' now i could totally shoot both you and Sal" She said, winking a couple times. Your face flushes a little.
A while ago you had confided in Ash about your, very not secret, crush on Sal and she's been trying to get the two of you together ever since, insisting that he liked you back.
"No!" You whisper-yelled in her direction, hoping to not get Sal's attention. You looked over at him quickly to see him struggling to tie the end of the balloon around his finger.
"I really regret telling you i like him."
"And i keep telling you to tell him cause he likes you back!" You quickly try to cover her mouth. Unfortunetly, you werent quick enough and the entire group looked at the two of you. Ash took your hands of her mouth.
"I'm telling you, ask him to go to the dance with you." She smiled at you. You looked awkwardly at her, then to the boys.
"You like soemone?" Todd asked.
"Possibly.." You respond with a quiet tone.
"WHO?" Larry pushed Ash out of his way. Sal didnt seem to want to be part of the conversation. Was he upset? You cleared your throat.
"No one." You said with a smile. It hurt a little to call Sal 'no one' but you had to say it to get Larry off your back.
"Are you still coming to my place for our movie night or are you going to be too busy with your new.. boyfriend" Sal said, a hint of anger, maybe even jealousy, in his tone when he said 'boyfriend'.
"Yeah i am, and I don't have a boyfriend." You say quietly. The two of you remained in silence as Ash eyed the two of you closely.
The silence between you and Sal was nearly unbearable. Normally when the two of you would watch movies together, it would be a shitty movie Sal had found and the two of you would laugh and criticize the plot and awful characters.
But now it was silent, with the ambience noise coming from the TV.
"Once you and this new guy get together, will he join the group?" His tone indicated that he wasnt too fond of the idea. You couldnt help but be flattered that he didnt want other guys that were interested in you join the group.
"Well no." Maybe it was the fact that Ash had finally been starting to convince you or maybe it was cause it was going to be Valentine's Day soon, but you had suddenly thought that hinting to Sal that you like him would be a good idea.
"No?" He sounded almost hopeful as he turned to look at you.
"He's already in the group.." You said silently, your cheeks flushing. You couldnt look at him, it was too embarassing.
"W.. already.. is it Larry?" You look at him suddenly as he asked.
"No? What made you think that?"
"You went really quiet when he was asking about it earlier." You sigh.
"No it's not Larry.." Sal looks at you in silence.
"So.. it's me..?" You look over at him and nod.
"Really?" He asks quietly. You nod again. You could feel your face get hotter and hotter as time went on, the silence from before returning.
"I mean, I was going to ask you to the dance." Sal said, slowly reaching to grab your hand. You smile.
"I'd be happy to go with you, if your offer still stands."
You would never forget the giant smile Ash had on her face when the two of you had walked into the gymnasium the night of the dancehand in hand.
Who knows. Maybe if you had listened to Ash a little sooner, you wouldnt have had to be as patient with your feelings as you were.