Can I Have That in Writing?

Riley: Music to my Ears

Once the meeting adjourned, Vera walked up to Emily and said something. I couldn't make out what it was, but I knew that she was pissed. I just hope most of that anger was directed towards me and not Emily.

As if to answer that hope, Vera approached me. Her eyes burned holes in my skull, and her bottom lip was trembling. Yep, she was angry at me. Rightly so.

"I hope you know what you're doing," she said in a low, trembling voice.

"I do," I replied firmly. "Vera, the moment he even looks at you wrong, he's out. I promise."

Vera nodded. "I don't trust many people. Just you, Allison, Seb and Kim. That's it. Just... keep that in mind the next time you do something like this. Okay?"

I nodded. "Okay."

"Vera!"

Matt approached us, phone in hand. His lips were pursed together. "Uh... you want to exchange numbers or something?"

Vera raised an eyebrow. "Isn't my number on the GroupMe?"

"Well, yeah... but I don't know how to make your number come up on the screen."

"Why do you even need it? It's not like we're friends or anything."

"Ver!" I scolded.

"What?"

Matt slumped his shoulders. He didn't pout or whine, but I could hear the hurt in his voice when he said "We're not friends?"

Vera chewed on her bottom lip. "No... at least, not yet."

She pulled her phone out of her pocket. "Come on. What's your number?"

Matt smiled softly and recited his number. Vera's fingers flew across her screen. Then she looked up. "I sent you a text. Let me know if you got it."

Matt retrieved his phone. Sure enough, he nodded. "Got it! Thanks!"

Vera simply nodded and left without a word. I could've sworn there was some red in her face. Matt looked to Noah, Seth, and Jacob, who called and motioned to invite him over. He said good-bye to me and joined the boys leaving the classroom.

Rose left me the sole occupier of the room. Taking a deep breath, I exited the room to see Emily talking to Allison and Sebastian.

"Sure! I'll come and get you when I'm ready to leave."

These were the words Allison spoke before leaving with Sebastian. I tilted my head in confusion. Did Emily have another club? Why else would Allison be leaving her behind?

I ignored my confusion and smiled at my new friend. "Hey! Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, I did," Emily said, smiling.

A conversation should have unfolded naturally, but it didn't. I mean, I was awkward because I had no idea what was going on. Also because Emily had voted in a guy that my best friend-slash-former crush despises.

So now it was time to mentally argue with myself.

Great, now what, genius?

Hey, didn't you say you were going to invite Emily to sit outside with you next time you had a chance? You could do that.

Oh, a good idea for once, brain. Thanks!

"Want to hang out for a little outside?"

I blurted it out. No thinking, just a straightforward request. She was going to reject said request. Probably. After all, I wasn't the only one who was feeling awkward.