Last Year of Seventeen

Chapter 16 - Double Date

It was August's turn to decide on our third fake-date, and all I can think of is how we haven't even completed half of our fake-dating scheme and I am already crushing on her for real. But this is something she doesn't have to know. It's something I can just keep forever.

"So it's set!" Gwen declared giddily. The four of us were rounded by the cafeteria and by four, I meant, August and I, as well as Gwen and Royce. "Will you be picking up Auggie or should she just ride with us?" Gwen was asking me a question but I was busy thinking of ways on how I could stop having a crush on August. And August noticed my blank stare so she gently jab me on my sides to help me refocus.

I fluttered my eyes as I felt my consciousness slowly drift back to me. "Sorry, what was that again?"

Gwen rolled her eyes, "Ugh. Hello..." she waves her hands in front of my face, "Earth to Henry. Are you here?"

"I'm here now," was my reply. This only gained another eye rolling from Gwen.

She answered me anyway, "I was asking if you'll be picking up August for Roycee-boo's Photo-Exhibit, or if she'll just ride with us and meet you there?"

I looked over August to confirm what she wants. And she looked right back. I don't know when and how it happened, but somehow, we just started communicating with our eyes.

"Okaaaaay–" Gwen started, "When did the two of you start being this close?"

We looked at her at the same time and I could tell, August was as confused as I. But then, I noticed how we might have looked for Gwen. I was sitting beside August, my arms lazily draped over the table and she wasn't really leaning on me but her posture was facing me, with our knees closely touching. Despite being called out though, neither of us moved from how we were seated.

It was August who answered, "None of your business." To this Gwen pouted, but she was never the nosy one. And August was fast enough to answer another one of her questions before Gwen could even collect her thoughts. "And he'll be picking me up. We'll just meet you at the venue."

By eight-forty five in the morning, I was already parked in front of August's house. This is actually the first time I've been here. Usually, I just drop her off two or three streets away. But today, she said her mother wasn't home, so nobody will question her if some dude picks her up.

"This shall be our third date." August said once she had entered my car.

"Okay." I replied. She was wearing a burgundy coat, black high boots and a black dress. We were once again unintentionally matching, for I too, was wearing a burgundy tux, paired with a black shirt and black pants. We laughed upon noticing.

"How many times are we going to wear almost the same things?" I observed.

"Well, you know what they say, great minds dress alike." She said, smiling.

Upon arriving at Hayville Clubhouse– the venue of Royce's exhibit, we were immediately greeted by Gwen who also noticed our matching outfits. "Wow! You're really looking like the power couple that you are." I noticed the tip of August's ears reddening and I entertained the idea that maybe, she also likes being called a couple with me, just as much as I like being coupled with her. But I remembered my footing. I reminded myself that this isn't real and that this stupid crush could actually compromise everything. So I took a glass of champagne and asked Gwen where Royce might be.

"Oh, he's just over there. Let's go. You have to see his works. It's just lovely."

Royce was talking with two older gentlemen when we found him. From how they looked, I'm pretty sure that Royce is closing a deal with them. He was beaming from ear to ear.