When (If)

Chapter 2

Today, I think to myself, is the day I am going to speak to him. I admire him from afar even looking at his Twitter on a daily basis; ever since he arrived at school two weeks ago. I know his name, Nate and his first lesson on a Thursday which is English. I only know this because I'm in that class. I see him and I get butterflies. It's strange because I hardly know him, but I am drawn to him. I promise I will talk to him.

I'm walking to my locker, thinking how stupid I am for promising myself to speak to him. I look up and to my surprise, Nate is standing right there. I stop and stare with my mouth wide open, he turns to me and smiles.
He says to me, "Hey Zoey, I, uh, need to ask you something."
Am I dreaming? "Hey Nate. Sure, okay," I grab a book out of my locker and I notice my hand shaking. He looks down at my hand and chuckles.
"There's no need to be nervous. I want to know if you'll go on a date with me."
I say, "What?"
"This may sound weird, but I find you interesting and I want to get to know you. Plus, I think you're beautiful."
I feel my face go red so I look down to try hide it, "Yes, I'll go. Message me with details?"
He says with a smile, "I will."
I walk away, smiling obviously. He shouts after me, "Wait Zoey, I don't have your number!" I write it down on a piece of paper and hand it to him. Nate smiles and walks away. That smile.

I can't believe that just happened. I need to tell someone. I hear my phone go off and I look down to read the message from Katherine, "Please come to the benches xx." What a perfect opportunity. I walk to the benches and hug her.
She looks at me and says, "Why is your face so red? Did you see Nate?"
I sit down next to her and say, "Not only did I see him, I spoke to him. Well, he spoke to me mostly."
"What? What did he say?"
"That he wants to get to know me and if I wanted to go on a date with him," Her mouth fell open, "Oh and the best part. He said he thinks I'm beautiful!" I can't help but blush at what he said. Kat stands up and jumps up and down.
She says, "You have to go!"
"Of course I'm going. He said he's going to message me with the details."
"When? Now?"
I laugh, "Probably tonight."
"I'm more excited than you are!"
I get up and start walking with her, "That's not possible. I'm dying inside."
"You have to tell me everything that happens. I'll plan your outfit."
"Obviously and you better," We stop outside of her class.
Kat smiles, "I am so happy for you, Zo!" She hugs me and walks into her class. I sigh and walk to my class, smiling.

I manage to get through half the day without dying from excitement. I realise my next lesson is English, with Nate. I walk in and see him, sitting and writing something down. He looks up and mouths hi to me. I smile and sit down.

I'm thinking, "Oh, holy crap. Why didn't I say hi? Did I have to smile?"
I feel a tap on my shoulder and my stomach drops.
I turn around and Nate says to me, "You know I missed school yesterday?"
"Uh, yeah, why?"
"Well, did I miss anything important?"
"No, unless important classifies as verbs."
He laughs, "Definitely."
I turn back around and see Kat walking into the class, smiling at me. She raises her eyebrows a couple of times. I chuckle softly and look down. She bumbs me with her bag, sits down and mouths, "Are you his girlfriend? Did he ask you?"
I smile and say sarcastically, "Yes, of course."

I get home and run up to my bedroom. I lay down on my bed, smile and say to myself, "That didn't just happen." I pull my phone out from my pocket and look through my messages. None are from Nate. I'm beginning to think that he is second guessing himself or he did it as a joke. Overreacting is such a stupid thing. I do my biology homework while checking my phone regularly. I can't focus on anything until I get a message from him. I decide to switch my phone off so I can be somewhat productive.

Two hours later, I turn on my phone and just wait. I rotate my chair a few times until I feel quite dizzy. I hear my message notification and grab my phone for my desk. I click the unlock button and see Nate's name. I immediately smile. The message says, "Hey Zoe, how are you?"

Isn't it weird how one simple message can make your day so much brighter?