Yeah. I figured.
I'd never know she felt differently for me if I didn't say anything.
She thinks I don't know stuff about other people, but I am well aware, as long as she's there.
But mostly I don't really care about dealing with others. Well, my stupidity came on full force cos on tuesday, some chick from the cheer squad stopped me in the hallway,
"Is it true? You're dating.. her??!"
I answered with a 'huh?'
And before the day ended, another one came up, "really?! Her?!"
I think I responded with the same, 'huh?'
I only realized on friday, when Natalie actually pushed me to the wall while I was heading to the lockers after football practice,
"Bro. The hell. Put a name to it"
And I was like, "huh?"
Well she scoffed and said, "she's my little sister you idiot," and then shook her head sideways, "do you have feelings for her or not?"
Well. Yeah. Duh. My brain replied inside. I could only muster a-- "what's going on?"
This made Nat cringe.
"O good lord," she says while shaking her head side to side, "did you not see the swarming mass of cheerleaders coming on to you earlier?!"
Uhh. "Huh?"
"The coach makes you guys practice tackles, with half the team shirtless, including you"
"Uhuh?" Yeah. So?
"Have you looked in a mirror lately?"
"Uhh--, I'm bigger now?"
She sighed, "let's leave it at that. My point is, even girls older than you are taking an interest in you, and our squad practices right next to your team"
I could only nod.
"I have been telling the cheer team that my sister is your girlfriend, not many know her, but they've been snooping around. And apparently they asked you, and you never confirmed"
She gave me a pointy manicured finger.
Ahh. Yeah.
"I was wondering why girls have been asking me questions about Nia since yesterday"
Nat sighed, again, "have you asked Nia to be your girlfriend?"
Huh? "I have to ask? I asked if we could be a couple"
"Give it a formal high school word, Mikey," her tense face softened into a smile, "if she says yes to being your girlfriend. Then you are her boyfriend"
Well. I intend to keep her forever. I guess it's a start.
"Ok. I'll ask her," I say, looking at her bright blue eyes.
"Good. And whoever else asks if you are dating Nia, tell them she's your girlfriend, and," she paused for emphasis, "if they prod. Say you two are exclusive"
"That means she can't date other people, right?"
"Yes, Mikey. You need to emphasize that when they become persistent. I can only try so much until I graduate"
I give her a solemn nod.
"Promise me one thing, Mikey." She crossed her arms and looked at my eyes again. I nodded again.
"No going to parties without her by your side"
"I don't think I would want to anyways"
"We all make stupid decisions when there's alcohol involved. Girls will want to get inside your pants. Don't you ever hurt my sister by cheating on her"
