Tomorrow Will Come- A Hatchetfield Story

Chapter Eight: I Need To Know

"So to be clear... I'm just gonna carry the equipment in the duffel bag for you guys?" Peter checked.

The men, Deb and Holloway sat in the car, driving down to Oakly Park. Their plan was to cut down an evergreen... on Evergreen. It was the best spot outside of Witchwood to get one. Henry was planning on doing the actual cutting with help from Ethan. Holloway would identify a good tree, and her, Deb and Ted would split it into pieces that they could work with. Peter... was their lackie. He should, at least, be able to do that.

"That's right." Henry nodded. "And you'll pass what we need to us when we need it."

"Is there nothing else I can do to help?" Peter bit his lip.

"You're doing enough, Peter." Ted assured him. There was silence in the car for a moment or two, as everyone tried to get in the right head space. 

"Hey, Ethan, can I ask you something?" Peter shifted nervously.

"Sure, I guess." Ethan shrugged.

"How do you... well, you know... get a certain someone's attention?" Peter blushed. Ethan smirked.

"You asking me how to pick up a girl, blood sugar bitch?" Ethan teased.

"Maybe..." Peter bit his lip nervously. "I don't know, I just-"

"Why didn't you ask me?" Ted scoffed.

"That should be obvious." Peter rolled his eyes.

"Who's the lucky lady?" Deb asked. "You're into girls, right?"

"I... think I'm into both, but I'm interested in a girl right now." Peter blushed. "She's, um... god, she's wonderful. But... no one really talks to her, and I don't think she's that popular. Which is okay by me, because no one likes me either. She's a bit older, but-"

"You aren't talking about Grace Chastity, right?" Deb's face fell.

"What? No!" Peter flushed red. "No, I mean... T, what's Melissa's little sister's name?"

"That would be Emily... but I think you know that." Ted smirked. "I've seen your diary."

"It's a journal!" Peter flushed deeply red. "And... and it's not for you to look at!"

"P+E is literally doodled on the front cover." Ted rolled his eyes.

"Oh." Peter muttered, looking to his feet.

"I don't know her..." Deb frowned. "Is she my age?"

"No... a bit younger." Peter shook his head.

"Probably why." Deb shrugged.

"First things first, dude... you have to be yourself." Ethan sighed. "If she doesn't like that, she isn't the one. You don't want to have to go through a relationship where you're always having to be someone you're not."

"E's right." Deb hummed. "You've also gotta be forward about how you feel about her. Otherwise, a sweet boy like you could wind up in the friendzone."

"Yeah, that's the biggest lesson I've learned." Ted hummed.

"Although establishing a friendship first isn't a bad idea." Ethan added. "Lex is my best friend."

"You just can't let that friendship go on too long with your feelings left unsaid." Henry agreed.

"Alright." Peter nodded nervously. "How... how do I tell her without her laughing at me?"

"Honestly? You just tell her. Maybe also add an offer to go for coffee?" Ethan shrugged. "Again, if she laughs... she's not the one."