THREE

Prom was fast approaching. If you didn't know what prom was, the posters and giggles in the hallways and classrooms could define it for you.

   It was fair to say everyone was excited, well except me of course. I won't lie, I didn't hate prom, but I already got used to the idea of never attending the event or any other school dance. Jane made sure of it, the last time Someone asked me to a dance, she locked me in the wine cellar simply because my dress and date was prettier than hers. Later she threatened any boy that walked my way until they were too scared to even spare me a glance.

   So I continued to live in the shadows until everyone eventually forgot me, just the way I liked it.

   I managed to stay awake during  calculus class, that really was because it's the last class before lunch.

      The bell rang finally, and I flew out of the class, bumping into Lisa as a result. I don't know what I would have done if it was someone else. Note  to self; don't run blindly out of class.

   "June, where are you running off to? Is someone chasing you? You almost knocked me over." She said while holding her chest with her hand.

    I moved away from the door and apologized to her.

   " I'm sorry, I'm just really hungry and I have something to tell you." I started walking towards the cafeteria with her beside me.

    "Okay, but whatever you have to say, has to wait. The principal asked to see me."

  "The principal? What does cabbage patch head want with you? Are you in trouble?"

   She laughed at the nickname we called the Principal, I don't know why he's called that but decided he deserved it anyway. The man was too strict for his own good.

    "No I don't think so. He didn't sound displeased when he spoke to me. I'm sure it has something to do with the Prom. I'm assisting with decorations."

   "Alright, I'll wait for you at the library, it's a private matter"

   "Is it really serious? Should I be worried? You're not leaving the country are you?" She sounded so scared I almost felt bad for what I was about to do. Oh well she'll forgive me.

   "I think so, I overheard Jane blabbing on the phone  this morning, let's just talk when you're done." I feigned a sad look and lowered my voice for her to actually believe me. I walked away before she could say anything else.

   As I walked down the stairs to the cafeteria, I remembered the text I got from Shawn.

   I hadn't seen him yet, not that I was looking. Part of me hoped he butt texted me and he wasn't really asking me out on a date or to prom.

    Hopefully he didn't come to school and I wouldn't have to be bothered to find out.

   I got my food and walked pass some few tables,hiding  beneath my black hoodie. No one recognized me, it helped me a lot. I almost got to my table when I heard someone laugh. I knew that laugh, it's the same laugh that haunted me for years.

    Slowly I turned around and our eyes locked. Shawn Prescott was sitting at his table and he was looking at me!!. He winked and made to get up but I turned around quickly and ran out of the hall.

   "Wait!! June!!"

"Come on, I don't want to have to chase you. Can't we just talk quietly." He said in between labored breaths.

   We already ran all the way to the back of the school. I stopped when I realized we were alone. This was not going well at all.

    "What do you want Prescott" I spun around, causing my hair to fly a round me and end up on my face.

    He moved close, and I retreated. He took another step forward I took another backwards, all the while locking eyes with him.

This continued until I had my back to the wall and he stopped a few inches from me. He was  tall and well built. He towered over my small frame.

   He was so close that if I pushed my head from the wall I would kiss him. I looked at his blue eyes. Those damn things sure knew how to captivate me.

  He leaned closer, and put his hand on the wall behind me. He  used his other hand to hold my waist and pull me closer.

   I was about to have my first kiss and honestly I didn't know what I should do. What if I ended up biting him. I mean I've watched movies where the characters shared a long passionate kiss in this position. I kept thinking if he'd  be disappointed when he found out I didn't know how to kiss. These thoughts and many other unholy  ones like how his body would feel between my legs while I'm pressed down on a bed kept bouncing in and out of my mind until one quiet one finally made its way to the surface. That's when I realized.

  I was about to share a kiss with the guy I hated most in school and instead of kneeing him in his balls, I was getting worried over how great the kiss would be.

    I tested my throat to make sure I still had a voice. After few minutes of coming back to my senses, I was about to speak when he took his face to my ear and I lost control again.

  "Just say yes to the date,just one. And if after this you still don't want to go with me, I'll respect your decision and stay away."

  I tried to think about what he said clearly but with the way he was so close To me, thinking was becoming a battle.                      

    But even I knew that the chances of me enjoying the date were high, I knew I couldn't do it. So I opened my mouth and...

  "Yes,I'll go on the stupid date." The words came out before I could stop them.

I thought I was going to say no. Yet the opposite came out from my mouth. What changed the words so swiftly?

  I looked up and I saw why. His blew eyes bore into mine and I saw the silent plea behind them. At the moment, my answer hadn't registered of course and I wondered if I could change it before they did. His eyes lit up and I knew it was too late. Damn you Prescott. I clenched my fists and I could feel the uneasiness seeping through.

   "Really? You're gonna come? Okay. Thanks." His words came out rushed as he was unsure of what to say. This was probably because he expected me to decline the offer so he was already thinking of words to convince me. So my answer threw him off guard.

   He stopped when he realized he was rambling, breathed in and out and his cocky facade fell back into place. Yup that's the Prescott I despise.

  "Okay, so Friday? I could pick you up at 7?" He stepped away a bit to give me some space to breathe.

    I had forgotten how close he was. When he moved away,I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Slowly my self control began to surface. We stood there in silence, he waited patiently for my answer, I on the other hand, was thinking of changing my mind. But his offer was attractive. I just had to go on a stupid date. If he was as cocky as he seemed, then there's no doubt I'd hate the date anyway. Which means I'd be free from him.

   " Yes, 7 is good. I'd love it if I could drive though. I don't want to be stuck in a care with your attitude." My voice was hoarse and I immediately closed my mouth.

  "No you can't drive, you don't know the place and it's a surprise so I can't tell you. Guess you'll have to bear with my attitude." He feigned concern and I narrowed my eyes at him. Somehow I felt this weird feeling that I shouldn't go through with this.

  Well I can't back out now. We stood in silence again. Neither of us knowing what to say. He kept stealing glances at me when he thought I wasn't looking. It made me blush a little, I had no idea why this mr popular wanted anything to do with me. The silence continued to eat at me until I finally decided to say something and the bell rang. Well there goes my lunch.

  "I have to go, I've got three minutes to sneak some snacks into class since I didn't get lunch." I made to walk away but he stepped in front of me.

I looked up at him and raised my eyebrows in question. What does he want now? I thought to myself.

   "We have the same class, let's walk together. I can help with the snacks."

  "So everyone would start the gossips again? No thank you, I can walk alone. I walked away and went to class.

   When I got to the classroom, I stood at the door deciding on which chair I'd sit on. The class was still empty save for the few students scattered around the room. The last sit by the window was open so I made my way there and sat down not so gracefully.

I picked a doughnut from the snack bag and began eating. The class began to fill up. Lisa walked and I saw her searching for something or some one. I waved my hand. Immediately she saw me, she walked over and took the empty sit beside me.

   "Sooo what was the important stuff you wanted to talk about? I've been dying to know. I didn't even listen to what the Principal was saying."

   "Well, last night..." I paused and waited for her to adjust herself. When she seemed settled down, I continued.

  "I got a text from Shawn. I know what you're thinking, but trust me I didn't give him my contact." I paused again for any comments but she raised her brows as I sign for me to continue. And I did.

   "Well it wasn't a long message, he asked me out on a date but I didn't read the rest of the message."

  "So, are you going?"

"Should I?, he's your crush. I feel like a bad person already."

  " Don't be silly June. If he's asking you out,you should definitely go, you just have to be careful and alert in case it's a trick. Plus, he's just a high school crush, I'm not in love with him." If she was hurt she didn't show it, and God knows reading her is like trying to read French backwards.

    I was about to tell her about the incident behind the school but the teacher walked in and every conversation died down.

  The rest of the day passed by in a blur and soon, the last bell was rung and I dashed out of the class trying to meet up with Lisa. But I couldn't find her anywhere. It was odd, I felt like there's something she wasn't telling me.

   I looked around some more and when it was clear I wouldn't find her, I gave up and drove home.

   On the way home, I kept thinking about the kids I almost shared with Shawn. That's if he was planning on kissing me anyways.

   I needed music to take my mind off things so I connected my phone to the speaker and played Fast by Juice wrld. It calmed me down a bit. I played his songs the rest of the way, and my thoughts vanished along the way. I felt a moment of peace, until I pulled up on the driveway and saw Jane standing besides her Maserati waiting for me with a fuming face.

  Oh Boy, what did I do now.