ALGEBROS!!

chapter five

these scenes are set in the past, as this is just a recap of chapter three but from danas full perspective

Dana was rifling through her locker, looking for a specfic book before something caught her eye. It was a note, folded up and taped to the inside of her locker. She was originally suspicious: who could have opened her locker to put it inside? She might have just left it unlocked. Curiosity got the best of her and Dana hastily ripped it of and opened it. It read:

"To Dana, meet me behind the building after school. From ???"

She frowned: that had not been the handwriting she knew from anywhere. Who else would know her name? Maybe this was an attempt at blackmail... but who would go out of their way to do something like that? There were no threats or demands in the note. This must be some kind of prank, then.

Nonetheless, she was interested. What if it wasn't a prank, or blackmail? Dana knew she must be stupid to do this, but in head she decided to meet with this mystery person after school. After all, there wasn't any harm in checking, wasn't there?

~~~

The bell rung, signalling the end of the school day. All the students began packing up their books to leave. Everyone was eager to go, but Dana Flores was probably the most excited to leave, considering she had to check out if the note was actually true.

Her heart felt like it was going to burst right out of her chest as she sneaked out of the back doors of the school. Behind school grounds, there was a field and a tall tree, that loomed over you. Most people speculated it was older than the school itself.

Dana had never believed anyone could make out its name, but then again she hadn't thought she'd find anything in this deserted place.
The only other thing Dana knew about the tree was that it had a secret spot where you could hide when you wanted to be alone, and where no one would bother you. That was her safe place when something terrible would happen and she needed alone time. But, she saw another figure there.

He was almost instantly recognizable, with his leather jacket and haircut. Julian Albans. Aka, the "bad boy" and most popular boy in 5th grade. He looked nervous, an expression Dana had never seen him have before. Something must be up...

He looked up from the ground, now realising she was here. "Oh, Dana! I...um...didn't see you there." Now she knew something was 100% wrong. The only time she had seen someone like this was when Rocco asked for help confessing to Atticus.

Julian's eyes darted around nervously as he shuffled his feet, trying to think of how to explain what was happening. "Okay, so," Julian began, "you remember the note I wrote today?"
Dana frowned, confused. Of course, she remembered the note, why wouldn't she? It was embarrassing to admit it, but she had a feeling why he had asked her here. And she was secretly hoping it was true.

Suddenly, she felt a hand link with hers. It was Julian. Dana immediately felt her face heat up. "Dana...I don't know how to say this...but I like you. A lot. Ever since we met in summer, it was like you were the missing puzzle piece in the jigsaw puzzle of my life, you made me complete. And this is embarassing to say, but will you be my date to the 5th grade prom?" He confessed.

"And will you be my girlfriend, Dana Flores?" Julian finished, blushing furiously. Dana stared in shock. He had come here, asking her to be his girlfriend? Her mind went blank. She couldn't believe this. Did she hear correctly? Was he telling her he liked her? And did she just agree? "Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure!" Was that really what she just agreed on?

I mean, she totally has a crush on him (a fact she is now willing to accept) but her mind was spinning like crazy! WAS THIS HAPPENING?? DID THE POPULAR BAD BOY ASK HER LOSER SELF TO DATE HIM?! It was playing out like one of those fanfics. The point was, Dana Flores was having a very strange day.