I had it planned all out in my head.
On Sunday, I went homecoming dress shopping with Augustine, and I bought a bright turquoise dress with sequins. On Friday, I overheard Piper telling her friends that she was going to buy a black dress, and the colors would match perfectly.
I had planned to walk up to and talk to her for a few minutes, probably asking about cross country. And then I would ask her to go with me.
But it didn’t go like that. But we’ll get to that soon enough.
I got to school with Augustine like normal. We got out of her car with our Dunkin’ drinks in hand, walking side by side into school.
I walked in and saw Piper and her friends in a corner. I love her sense of style so much. Today she was wearing a pair of flared pink, orange, and white pair of floral pants with a white crop top. The light colors looked amazing against her tan skin with her wavy, dark brown hair.
“Her outfit is super cute today,” Augustine said, nudging me.
“Yeah,” I replied, feeling my face burn up. I grabbed Augustine’s wrist and pulled her out of the cafeteria with me. I saw Piper’s face turn to glance at me out of the corner of my eye.
I pulled Augustine into the nearest bathroom, where there was a younger girl, probably a freshman, doing her makeup in the mirror.
“Girl, what’s wrong?” Augustine asked.
A tear dripped down from my right eye.
“I can’t ask her. Everyone’s gonna know…” I said.
“Know what? That Piper is the luckiest girl ever because you admire her so much? D, you have nothing to be afraid of! You’re amazing, super beautiful, and you’re so fun and hilarious! She would be so lucky to go out with you. And so what if everyone knows? Be proud! You would have a hot girl and everyone already loves you! You don’t have to go through with whatever plan you have in your head, just ask her, or like, write a small note or something,” my best friend told me.
She wiped the tear from my cheek and my lips started to turn up into a smile.
“Thanks, A,” I said.
“Anytime, girly,” she said.
We left the bathroom and walked to first period, which for me was choir. Which Piper was in.
As soon as I walked into the room to my seat, I started to panic. I couldn’t do this.
A few minutes later, Piper and her best friend, Aubrey, walked in and went to their seats. I made eye contact with Piper for a second or two then pulled out my notes to review so that she didn’t come talk to me.
She did anyway.
She passed by my seat on the way to hers, stooping in front of me. Her big brown eyes looked down at me, and she smiled.
“Hey, Dorothea. Your outfit is super cute today; I love that color combo. Are those cargos from American Eagle? I think I have those ones, too,” she said.
I loved my outfit today. I had on black cargo pants with a lavender tank top, with my hair half up, half down with my framing pieces out.
I smiled back at her and blushed.
“Thank you! Yes, they are. Your outfit is super cute, too,” I replied.
She smiled more and turned to give me the side view.
“Thanks!” she said, and she turned to walk to her seat.
When her back was turned, I gave out a big sigh of relief. That was terrifying.
*****
The bell rang signaling the end of fourth period, which meant I had one more class today before I got to leave.
One more chance to ask out Piper.
Maybe it was fate, but she popped out of a classroom and walked right next to me on the way to Calculus, a class we had together. She turned and smiled at me.
“Hi, Dorothea,” she said.
“Hey,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as nervous as I felt.
“Are you excited for homecoming?” she asked me.
I nodded. “Yeah, are you?” I said.
“Of course! It’s so fun! I got my dress this weekend, too, when I went with Aubrey and Makenna. It’s a satin black, it's so cute, I love it so much,” she said, sounding super excited.
I smiled. “That’s fun. I went with Augustine on Sunday. Mine’s a bright turquoise with sequins all over,” I told her.
Her eyes lit up. “That sounds gorgeous!” she said.
“Yeah, it is. I can’t wait,” I said.
We walked into Calc and she started to walk to her seat, which was across the room from mine.
“Hey, Piper?” I said before she left.
“What’s up?” she asked.
I looked down and instantly felt my face start to burn up.
“Um, I was wondering, maybe, if, like, you would want to go to homecoming with me, like as my date? If you don’t want to, that’s fine,” I said.
There was a short moment of silence.
I looked up and her mouth was open.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have,” I said, turning to leave.
Piper grabbed my arm as I tried to turn.
“No, I’d love to! It’s just that, well, I was planning to ask you,” she said, blushing.
“Wait, really?” I said, super shocked.
She giggled. “Yeah, you’re, like, super pretty and really nice,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
I blushed even more.
“Thank you! You’re so pretty too like oh my fucking god you’re so pretty,” I said.
Piper giggled more.
“Thank you!” she exclaimed, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek before running over to Aubrey’s seat.
I told the teacher that I was going to the bathroom, and I sprinted down the almost empty hallway to the nearest bathroom.
I started crying tears of joy and relief.
I pulled out my phone and called Augustine.
“Mission accomplished,” I said when she picked up.
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