Feelings

6: Parties

On the day of the party, I decide that it's a good time to tell Alex and Zoe about my crush. The last 4 days definitely proved that I like Wren. Yesterday, her fingers brushed against mine while we were doing the presentation and I almost had a heart attack. I couldn't do anything for a few seconds. Plus, Zoe's becoming way more affectionate. Every time we had lunch together, she'd just rest her head on my shoulder again while we talked about stuff. I don't really mind it. I kind of like her affection even though I don't like her. She only does it if no one's around, though. I manage to get Alex to meet up during lunch at our spot, telling him it's 'important'. I arrive first, then Zoe and finally Alex.

"So what's so 'important' like you said?" Alex says.

Zoe scolds him, "Shush, Alex." They're both looking at me really intently. Now I'm feeling really nervous about telling them.

"I like Wren! There. I said it," I blurt out. Zoe makes a small whimpering noise and Alex needs a moment to process what I just said.

"You mean, you like her, like a crush?" says Zoe in quiet voice.

"Yeah," I confirm.

Why does she look so sad about it? "Oh, ok."

Alex starts to leave. "About time you had one! Good luck with her."

"Yeah, I need to go too." Zoe's voice sounds a bit shaky. Why is she acting strange about it?

As if on cue, Wren magically appears. That makes my mind go into panic mode. Why is she here? How did she know?

"Hey. You made up your mind about the party?"

I still can't speak properly. But if Wren's going, I'm going too. "Y-Y-Y-Yeah."

She crosses her arms. "Why's it that every time I talk to you, you can't talk right? It's weird."

"Huh, yeah." Definitely weird.

"Anyways, you know where the place is?"

Funnily enough, I actually do. The place is next to Alex's house. He said it's been under construction for almost a year and suddenly they stopped building it halfway. Now people use it for whatever. "I do. It's by my friend's house."

Wren starts playing with her hair in that cute way. "Um, I know we've only known each other for a week, but, could you maybe pick me up and bring me there? My mom... can't drive me."

I was originally planning on walking there by myself, but I'm not missing out on this. "Ok."

"8:45. Also I live at 3286 Hedge Street."

I engrave that into my mind. "Got it."

Wren smiles at me again. "Thank you." Wow, she looks so pretty when the sun hits her face. Her hair glimmers in the sun and her brown eyes seem to light up.

Anything for her. "Anytime."

We head off to our different classes because it's almost time for the next class. All I can think about in Drawing and P.E. is the party. What should I wear? What will Wren wear? Who else is going? Those thoughts follow me all the way home with willow in the background, and soon it's almost time for the party. I end up wearing beige jeans and a purple hoodie to add some spice to my usual boring black. The colour combination looks cool. I hope.

"Okay, let's go pick up your date," says Dad all smug.

"It's not a date!" I exclaim. Seriously, he's overreacting about this party.

He shakes his head as we get into the car. "Yeah, but you'll be together in a car that's going to a party. Sounds like a date."

"It. Is. Not. A. Date."