Ashton and Angelina sat across from each other at the pizza place, pretending to be on a date, again. It was part of their prank war with Jake, who would constantly tease them, saying they liked each other, that the rivalry was fake.
But that rivalry was anything but fake. Since first grade, they competed in everything from art to academics to sports. They pushed each other to improve, but they also annoyed each other to no end. They rarely had a civil conversation, unless it was about their mutual passion for drawing, or getting back at Jake.
“So, how’s the art club going?” Ash asked, breaking the awkward silence.
“It’s going well. I’m working on a new project. It’s a portrait of you, actually.” Angie said, smirking.
“Really? What does it look like?” Ash asked, intrigued.
“It’s a picture of you with horns, a tail, and scales. You know, like the dragon you drew in first grade.” Angie said, teasing him.
Ash laughed. “Hey, that dragon was awesome. Everyone loved it.”
“Was not.”
“You’re just jealous because you know that I’m better in every way.” he said with a smile.
“Very funny, Ash… very funny…” she said in a deadpan tone. “Remember that time in second grade, when you were trying to make me your valentine?”
“Ah, yeah… we were so young and stupid back then.”
“Mostly you though. I was smart enough to reject it.”
I was running down the hallway, clutching a red envelope in my hand. I’d spent all morning making a valentine for you. I actually liked you at the time. I mean, I knew you were my rival, but… I could barely take a hint back then. Well, now I know that you’re just a stuck-up jerk who’s bad at art, but… we were all really dumb as kids, weren’t we?
I spotted you at her locker, surrounded by your friends. You were wearing a pink dress and a bow in her hair. Typical Barbie outfit, down to the blonde hair and green eyes, but to me that was ‘beautiful’. I took a deep breath and approached you.
“Hey, Angie, can I talk to you for a sec?” I asked. I still remember how sweaty my palms were that day.
“Ash? What do you want?” you asked, suspiciously.
I handed you the envelope. “This is for you. Happy Valentine’s Day.” I said, shakily. I bet my cheeks were red as tomatoes that day.
You took it from me and opened it. Inside was a card with a drawing of a heart and the words “You’re my favorite rival”. You looked at it, then at me, then burst out laughing.
“Are you kidding me? This is your idea of a valentine? A cheesy drawing and a lame compliment?” you mocked. “I hate you, with all my guts.”
Your friends, they joined in on the laughter, pointing at me and making fun of me. I still remember how embarrassed and angry at you I was. I snatched the card back from you, tore it in half, and trampled it.
“Fine! Forget it! I don’t like you anyway! You’re just a mean, stuck-up jerk!” I yelled at you. “I only gave you the card out of pity.”
I turned around and ran away, on the verge of tears. I swore to myself to never fall in love ever again after that.
Angelina nodded gravely. “Upon hindsight, that was probably sad for you. I’m sorry…”
Ash’s lips curled into a small smile. “It’s all in the past now. But… I never asked anyone out again after that.”
“Why not?”
“Fear.”
Angie stifled a laugh. “What’s there to be afraid of in asking some girl out?”
Ash bit his lip, and thought long and hard for a witty comeback, but realized, there were a lot of people who liked Angelina. Heck – even his best friend, Joseph did, and in his opinion, that was a questionable choice.
“I still don’t get it. Why would you ask her out to the dance, dude?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows, and mentally gagging at the mere thought of my worst enemy and my best friend dancing together.
“She’s really funny, and beautiful, Ash. Look, just because she rejected you back in second grade doesn’t mean I don’t have a chance.” Joseph snapped. “You don’t even like her anyway! Or, you do, and you’re too jealous to admit it.”
“I never said that! I said, she’s really stuck-up, and… honestly speaking, not the best choice for a date. Probably the worst, actually.” I replied. I took a deep breath. “Look, if you want to ask her out, go ahead. I can’t influence your decisions. Go, ask her.”
Joe nodded. “But where is she?”
“Over there,” I pointed, before really cringing at what I saw. There she was, standing by the eighth grade classroom, as usual, but it seemed there were boys walking in her general direction, a lot of them, in fact. And one of them could easily be accepted instead of my friend.
Ash was interrupted from his train of thought, by Angie, leaning back, saying “No reply?”
“Oh, I was just thinking about the eighth grade dance. My best friend asked you out, didn’t he?”
“Joseph? Yeah, I think so. A lot of them did. I rejected every last one.”
Ash scratched his chin. “It was confusing to me at the time. Why would you reject everyone? Because, I’m pretty sure the most popular guys did.”
“Cause they’re shallow-brained idiots, who just can’t take a hint.” she said in a deadpan tone.
“Hehe… but you’re here now.” Ash asked.
Angelina laughed. “Looks like someone’s too in character!”
Ashton responded with a chuckle. “Tell me the whole story though.”
Well, all I knew was that I was chilling with Lana and Lisa, standing by the lockers, when I saw a bunch of boys come closer to where we were standing. I tried walking off, thinking, ‘It must be for the twins. I think I’ll go before I’m asked out, and have to reject someone.’
But no, your best friend called out my name, prompting everyone else as well. They each came up with a pretty creative way to ask me out. They quoted Romeo and Juliet, sang love songs – heck, some of them wrote their own! I’ll admit, they were impressive, but I’m not interested! You guys should know by now.
The only thing I really like about all this is your determination. Some of them have been rejected many times before, but still don’t give up. I still hate it, but it is admirable to see what lengths you boys go through just to get our attention.
“I guess I’m an exception, huh?” Ashton joked.
“That’s cause you’re a ‘fraidy cat.” she replied, punching his arm playfully.
“I always wonder, when will I find my special someone?”
“Whoever they are, I hope they’re smart enough to counter your stupidity, and patient enough to tolerate you.”
“Gee, thanks.”, he said sarcastically.
“You’re most welcome,” she replied sweetly, before putting on a straight face and saying, “But in all seriousness, don’t worry. You’ll find your soulmate in due time. And when you do, don’t hesitate to ask. You need to learn to take risks. Why else would I keep competing against you?”
He smiled. “Yeah, yeah… thanks. I appreciate that. Guess you aren’t so heartless after all.”
She chuckled lightly. “This wasn’t so bad. And… have you been keeping watch of Jake?”
His eyes widened in shock. “Uh… oh…” he muttered. Jake had already left, a long time back. And upon checking the time on his watch, he realized, so should they.
They bid each other farewell, and went out of the restaurant, in silence.
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