Magic, Chapter Eight
Confused? Read chapters 1-7 (here)
Rose’s point of view…
The silence was deafening as Louis looked down, shame washing over his face.
“I’m sorry guys, I ju-“
“Louis, we already knew” Liam started, his voice coming out like a chuckle. “Your mom told us last week. We came over to your house to see if you wanted to hang, but your mom told us you were at rehearsal”
“Mad? Of course not!” Niall laughed. “Just as long as you introduce me to some cute girls” He winked, causing Liam to roll his eyes.
“But how are you going to explain to Peyton about next weekend? Isn’t that when rehearsal is like, super packed? I heard a girl in my class talk to someone about it… her name was… Daniela, I think.” Liam nodded, confirming her name. “What will you tell Peyton?”
I frowned, inching away from Louis, slightly taken aback. Peyton?
Peyton was the cheerleading captain, with bright hazel eyes, wavy brown hair, and a complexion that put model’s to shame. According to Kaylyn, the two had broken up a while ago, and that Peyton turned green with envy every time Louis hit on another girl. Guess Peyton finally got him back…
“I already told her I’m not going with her. I made that promise before I dumped her. If she thinks I’m still taking her to Brandon Ludwig’s party, she’s crazy.”
Brandon Ludwig name was very popular at the school; known for throwing wild parties that even alumni show up to sometimes; of course supplying the alcohol. People have been talking about this party since last year, saying that this party would be the party of the century.
Niall chuckled, muttering a ‘told you’ to Liam, before casually strolling to the couch, flopping himself onto him. “So if you aren’t taking Peyton” he paused, kicking his shoes off and resting them on the coffee table. “Who are you taking?”
“I should be going” I muttered, politely excusing myself as I turned around to walk out the door.
“Maybe you could take Rose?”
***
“So he just flat-out rejected you?”
“More like laughed, really. He said he’d rather go alone” I muttered, outlining the rim of my mug with my pinkie.
Madison shook her head, jumping down from the kitchen counter she was sitting on. “Why I outta-“
“Calm down, Mads” Cassandra chuckled, sipping on her tea. “The last thing we need is Louis with a broken nose”
“But it’s Rose! Regardless of who it is, that was a low-blow. Unacceptable” Madison huffed, slumping in the seat next to me. “M’sorry he did that” she mumbled, quieter now.
I shrugged, trying to play off the fact I wasn’t hurt. “Honestly, I’m not surprised. I’m just a theatre kid, remember? This isn’t High School Musical.”
But in actuality, I was in shock more than anything. The girls had tried to convince me that he liked me, but what he pulled merely an hour ago showed that he was in no way interested, why am I so upset over it. He doesn’t like me, big deal.
I looked down at my mug, a small voice in the back of my mind whispering;
‘Oh, but I wish he did…’
Louis’s point of view…
I am such a moron.
Rose hasn’t replied to my text messages since I laughed about Liam’s suggestion about Rose. I never meant to laugh at her, but merely because I figured she wasn’t the partying type girl.
Once I saw her expression, I knew she had misunderstood me, but left before I had a chance to explain myself.
Fantastic.
We had made a deal to not speak to each other in the hallways, some stupid rule I made up because I was so scared somebody would find out. As of right now, I didn’t really care about theatre. What’s the worse they could do?
Something about knowing Rose was upset with me made my stomach church, giving me this unshakeable guilt that keeps me gnawing at my lip. It’s Tuesday, nearly a full four days since the incident, and I’ve been a mess.
“Why don’t you just go and talk to her, dummy?” Kaylyn asked, meeting up with me on the way to the to lunch. “She has the same lunch period as us, you know.” She stopped in her tracks, tugging roughly on my arm. “Lou, I have an idea!”
I chuckled, crossing my arms and peered down at my younger sister, an eyebrow raised. “Which is?”
“Okay, so I know you really like Rose-“
“Says who?”
She continued anyways, rolling her eyes as she continued, leaving me blushing. “You should ask for her to be your date to Brandon’s party! That way, you’ll be making it up to Rose and-“
“That’s the dumbest idea ever” I scoffed, turning away and continuing to walk to the cafeteria. “I told you, I don’t want anyone knowing I’m in theatre, Kay. If I ask Rose, people will be suspicious.”
“So you do want to bring Rose to Brandon’s party, but you’re too prideful about your popularity? I don’t know what Rose sees in you” she muttered, pushing past me and into the cafeteria.
“What?” I gasped a little too loudly, grabbing her wrist and gently pulling her back. “She likes me?”
She shrugged, giving her famous “I know something you don’t know” smirk before walking away. “Only one way to find out, Lou” she called, before joining Rose and the rest of the troupe at the opposite end of the cafeteria.
Goodness, Kaylyn could be such a pain sometimes.
I sighed, running my fingers through my hair as I made my decision.
“I’ll show you standards” I muttered, before I made my way to Roses’s table.
As I approached her table, I noticed Cassandra, Kaylyn, Zayn, Madison and Daniela were all sitting with her, oblivious to my approach.
I tapped on Roses’s shoulder, and simultaneously gained the whole cafeteria’s attention, one of the infamous perks of being incredibly popular.
“Rose?” I asked, scratching the back of my neck. I glanced at grinning Kaylyn, who only made me blush harder. “Will you, um… go to Brandon Ludwig’s party with me?” I asked loudly, before swallowing just as audible. “You know… as a date”
I heard a few audible gasps from behind me, and I grinned to see a light pink dust Rose’s cheeks as she stifled a smile.
I’ve never made her blush before.
“Um, yeah, yeah I will” She said, low enough for only I could hear.
“I’m sorry, is that a yes?” I said, a little louder, pride surging through me as she blushed even harder. “I didn’t quite catch you, Love”
She bit her lip as she looked around, noticing all eyes were on her.
“Yes Louis. I’ll go with you” She replied louder this time.
3rd person’s point of view…
Peyton sat rigid as her eyes zeroed in on the girl with the curly hair that said yes to Louis, clutching her bright pink water bottle. “No way” She whispered, her eyes bubbling over with jealousy.
“Louis is going to the party with me.” She hissed, before turning to the other members of the cheerleading squad. “Ladies” She announced, laying her hands palms down onto the table.
“We need to stop whatever Louis is trying to pull”
