Vanessa
Every year, the school held a winter formal at the end of January. Since we were freshmen, it would be our first year going, and Addison and I could barely contain our excitement as we made plans over what we would wear. We were at her house, lounging on the bed a few days before the dance and thumbing through fashion magazines as we picked out our dream dresses for the big event.
I sighed dreamily. “Look at this dress” I pointed to a picture of a model wearing a flowing black dress. “This would be perfect for winter formal. Do you think Matt will invite me?”
Addison closed the magazine she was reading and scooted over to look at the picture with me. She made a face as she studied the photo. “God, don’t you ever wear any color, V?” she teased. Addison had taken to calling me V now too, after the nickname Matt had given me stuck. She flipped onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. “For the twentieth time, why don’t you ask him? I keep telling you this and still, you don’t take my advice.”
I shot up. Each time Addison suggested I ask him my reaction was always the same. “Are you kidding?! I could never do that.”
“Why not?” Addison asked shrugging. “I could even do it for you if you want.”
I crawled on the bed over to her until our faces were only inches apart. “Addie, don’t even think about it. I need you to promise me, you will not do that. Ohmygosh. I can’t believe I even told you I liked him. You are totally going to blurt it out. I know you.”
She laughed, pushing me away. “Ok, I won’t ask him. Get off me. Geesh.” She studied her nails. “I don’t know why the idea of asking him out is so terrifying to you. He’s human, just like the rest of us. ”
I gasped, looking at her horrified. “I can barely manage to have the cutest boy in the entire world as my friend, and you think I can just waltz up to him and casually invite him to the dance like it’s no big deal? No way.”
Addison shrugged. “Why not? That’s what I would do.”
“Of course, you would.” I stared at her pointedly. “But you’re also a 5 foot 6 beauty queen with a dazzling personality. What guy in his right mind would say no to that? I’m short, plain, and nothing special. Matt’s way out of my league.”
She swatted me with her pillow. “Hey, you better watch your mouth. That’s my best friend you’re talking about there.” She pulled herself up. “Well, I think you should do it. Guys love confidence.”
I bit my lip. She had a point, however, I was severely lacking in the self-assured department after my brutal rejection from Aaron. I winced at the memory, having no desire for a repeat situation. “Addison, I need you to hear me. It’s a struggle just to get through Math class with him being only a foot away. Plus, he always insists on chatting with me before Mr. Chaplin starts class. Do you know how many minutes he waits to start class after the bell rings? Seven minutes, Addie. Seven!” I threw up my hands. “I don’t have what it takes to just ask him to Winter Formal, ok?”
“Ohmygosh, V. What would you do if he ever kissed you?” Addison teased.
“I would puke.” We giggled at the thought. Sighing, I laid down beside her. “What if he rejects me, Addie? Just like Aaron did?”
She looked over at me, all seriousness now. “Then he would be crazy. You’re cute, funny, and an amazing friend. Honestly, it would be his loss 100%.”
I didn’t respond, instead mulling over my feelings for him. This had become more than just a crush for me. I had it bad. It was one thing when I thought that he was just good looking but now that I had gotten to know him, I saw that he was so much more than attractive looks. He was sweet and thoughtful, always asking how my day was going or sharing his lunch with me when I forgot the money for mine at home. He also always listened to me ramble on about the latest book I was reading, probably the only thing that I could talk to him about easily. Matt truly was the total package.
Addison broke into my thoughts. “Never mind him, V. Let’s just go together, have a kick-ass time, and show him what he’s missing out on.”
And even though Matt never did ask me to the dance, that is exactly what we did.
***
Vanessa
As the first blooms of spring started poking through, Matt, Addison, and I were pretty much inseparable. We often hung out after school at the local diner, trading stories about our classmates and talking about the latest shows on TV.
Matt and I discovered that we both had a love of trashy reality shows and he started inviting us over to his home every Friday night so that we would binge-watch the latest episodes of whatever reality TV show was popular that week. Addison wasn’t really into it so she would often just sit there, rolling her eyes as Matt and I cracked jokes about the cast members. The trashier the show, the more obnoxious the zingers.
However, it was one snowy Friday in late February, as I was packing up my backpack to go home from school that Addison approached me. Her face was pale and she had bags under her eyes. “Geesh, Addie, what happened to you?” I asked, flipping through my science notebook debating about whether or not I needed to study the notes for tomorrow’s quiz.
She coughed. “I feel terrible.” Her voice was hoarse and she was rubbing at her temples. “I don’t think I’m going to make it over to Matt’s tonight.”
My heart sank at not being able to see him but I understood that was sick and didn’t want to make her feel bad. “That’s ok. There’s always next week. Go home and get some rest. I’ll let Matt know we aren’t coming.”
“You can still go, V,” Addison said sniffling.
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Uh, Addie, you do remember this is me you’re talking to, right? Or are you that delirious right now?” I had never been alone with Matt at his house before and really wasn’t eager to start now. Hanging with him one on one at school was one thing but doing it where he lived made it feel more intimate and way more intimidating.
Addison blew her nose. “It’s not a big deal, V. You can just watch one of your lame little shows together and make your wisecracks like you always do. Besides, you two pretty much act like I’m not even there half the time, anyways.”
I shook my head, still intent on canceling. “That’s ok. I’ll let Matt know.”
“You’ll let me know what?” Just then, Matt approached from behind me and leaned against my locker.
I jumped. “Geesus, Matt, you scared me,” I said swatting him with my folder. He smirked at me. Even though we were friends, he always had a way of making me feel nervous and on edge. “Addie’s not feeling well,” I continued. “Rain check on tonight?”
He glanced over at Addison, pretending to recoil in horror at her appearance. “Whoa, geez. Maybe you do need all that makeup, after all.”
She thudded him in the chest with a swing of her backpack. “I might be under the weather but don’t think for a second that I still can’t kick your ass.”
He grinned at her before turning to look me up and down “Are you sick too?”
“No.” I could feel my cheeks begin to flush. I knew where this was headed and I didn’t like it.
“Ok…” he said slowly “So you can still come over, right? I mean, it’s not like Addie watches those shows anyways.”
“Gee, thanks, Matt. I’m feeling the love.” Addison rolled her eyes, reaching into her bag for another tissue. “You two can work this out. I’m heading home.” She leaned forward, placing a wet kiss on his cheek. “That’s for calling me ugly. Enjoy my germs.”
Matt watched Addison walk away, disgustedly wiping his cheek with the back of his hand before returning his gaze to me and expectantly waiting for my answer.
“Yea…ok. Sure.” I could feel my cheeks on full-fire mood now. I tried to calm myself down. I would only be there a few hours, tops. Addison was right. This was no big deal. It was always just the two of us in class. Well, minus the other 20 students. Surely, this couldn’t be much different. Right?
“Cool,” he said. “I’ll see you later then.” He thumped me on the shoulder before walking down the hall as he whistled to himself.
I groaned and slumped against my locker. I had almost rather not see him at all than be completely alone with him at his house. On his couch. Nearly touching. Oh god. This was going to be a long night.
***
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