The One That Matters (complete)

Chapter 14

   “I can’t do this, Mark!” I said to him once I found him by his locker after school. “There’s too many of them! I’ve got a life too you know!”

  “Relax Amelia! You can do this! Think about the dance you’ll save and the happiness of those who are looking forward to it.” He persuaded me.

  I thought of Lucy whose going nuts about the dance. How would she feel if the dance was cancelled? “Alright.” I sighed. “Who is first on the list?”

   “That’s the spirit!” He patted my shoulder. “Ouh! Here he comes! The first lucky guy.” He glanced at someone behind me.

   I turned around and there he is. Spencer Earls stood there five feet away with his too-tight pants. Great. I turned back at Mark. “Ican’t do this! I so do not have the spirit! I’m not strong enough to handle three hours with Spencer Too-tight Pants Earls!” I whined.

   “I’m sorry Amy.” He shrugged. “He’s a paying customer and there is nothing I can do anymore. Every senior saw you agreed to it this morning.” To his credit, he actually does look sorry for me. Then he took out a piece of paper from his bag pack and handed it to me. “Here, take this. It’s the list of guys who signed up for your service so that you could keep track on who you already went out with. Now go and raise some funds!”

   I faced Spencer again. He blushed and grinned when he saw me looking at him. Well, how bad could three hours be right? I walked towards him and extended my hand. “Hi Spencer!” I smiled. His mouth opened but no words came out. He stared at my extended hand in awe as if it was gold. It has only been a minute and I’m already creeped out. How am I supposed to last for three freaking hours! “Errmm...Spencer? This is the part where you shake my hand.”

  “Ouh right!” He grabbed my hand and shook it hard. “It’s a pleasure to speak to you Amelia Leonardo.” He said excitedly.

  “Please, just call me Amy.” I smiled and tried to pull my hand away from him.

  The look on his face was pure happiness. “You really mean it Amelia?” I nodded my head. “Okay then, Amy. I’ve booked us a place at a nearby cafe. Are you ready to go?” He asked.

  “Yeah. How are we going to go there? My car or your car?” I cocked up an eyebrow.

  Spencer’s cheeks turned bright red. “I...uh...don’t have a car. I ride the bus every morning.”

  “Oopps! My bad. I guess we’ll take my car then. Come on.” I started walking to my car and he followed. Everyone in the hallway was looking at us.

  “Enjoy it while it last, dude!” Someone said.

  “Way to go Spencer!” Another cheered him.

  “Looks like tight pants Spencer just scored himself a hot date!” One jock shouted and actually fist-bumped Spencer.

  Spencer was looking uncomfortable. No doubt he’s not used to getting all this attention. I suddenly felt bad for him. I hooked my arm around the crook of his elbow and smiled at him. “There’s no need to be shy, Spencer. Just have fun alright?”

  

  When Spencer said it was a nearby cafe, he wasn’t kidding. I literally had to drive straight, turn right and we’re there. It could have been a five minute walk. We went in, found our table that he booked and ordered our meals. While waiting for our food, I tried to make small talks with him. “So Spencer...what do you like to do in your free time?”  

  “I like to read comics. I have a huge collection of action figures! Want to see them?!” He asked a little bit too enthusiastically.

  “Errmm...you actually brought them along?” I asked. Is this dude being serious? Does he really bring his toys to everywhere he goes?

  “Nope.” He answered. I breathed a sigh of relief. “But I took a picture of them on my phone!” He took out his cell and showed me twenty-three pictures of dolls in underwears and capes

   “Interesting.” I lied. Thankfully a waitress came and served us our food, stopping him from showcasing the rest of his dolls.

   “Amy?” Said the waitress.

    I glanced up from my plate and recognised the waitress instantly. “You’re Nora right? The one who writes our school newspaper?” I asked.  

  “Yup, that’s me.” She smiled and glanced at Spencer and then back to me. “Wow... I never thought I’ll see you with someone like Spencer Earls.” Disbelief shown on her face. Spencer choked. “No offence, buddy.” She patted his back.

  “Really?” I felt curious. “What kind of person did you thought you’ll see me with then?” I teased her.

  “I don’t know. Someone like Daniel or Mark. Or even Jarred.” She swooned when she said Jarred’s name but then shook her head as if to bring herself back to Earth.“Anyway, I thought you’re going out with Christopher.” I snorted at her comment. “I take that as a no then.”

  “I’m currently single.” I smiled. “But may I ask why you thought I was dating Chris?” Are rumours spreading without me knowing?

   Nora shrugged. “I saw you getting out from Chris’s truck the other day. At the cinema parking lot. So I just assumed that you guys are seeing each other. He is a good looking guy after all. And decent too. Errmm...I have to get back to work now. See you guys in school and enjoy your food.” She added before heading to serve another table.

  I watched as Nora serves the customers with a smile and recalled what Lucy told me about her- that she has a crush on Jarred. Does she know that Jarred asked me to the dance? Wouldn’t she be extremely devastated once she does found out?  Here I am making Jarred wait for my answer when there is someone who would accept him in a heartbeat. Compared to me, Nora definitely deserves Jarred more.

  “Hello? Amy, are you alright?” Spencer snapped his fingers, interrupting my thoughts. “You barely touched your food.”

   I looked at my untouched plate. “Sorry. Was just...uh...thinking about something.” I said before digging into my salad.