Prom Committee

Pushy Crush Encounters

Luscious brown locks that mostly swept to one side. Chocolate eyes that sparkle when I stare at them. That perfect smile when he laughs. His six foot stature towering over my five foot four self is so attractive. And the evenly tan skin is the icing on the cake.

This was Joshua Spring, the guy I have been crushing on since fifth grade. We were friends but unfortunately to my dismay we were nothing more. Damn he was so easy to look at, but all the way across the gymnasium. He was shooting hoops, basketball is his favorite sport, and here I am sitting on the edge of the stage listening to Mrs. Greene talk about prom ideas.

"So with that being said Sadie Witherton will be in charge of this committee," she stated smiling.

"Thank you Mrs. Greene, I will do this prom justice," Sadie beamed.

"Wait what?" I whispered.

"Alright, meeting adjourned. Same place, same time tomorrow," Mrs. Greene clasped her hands and walked off.

"Hey Layla?" I asked jumping safely off the stage.

"Yeah Tara?" she responded doing the same.

"What did she mean by 'Sadie will be in charge'?"

She chuckled and shook her head while grabbing her backpack off the gym floor.

"Were you not listening again?" she questioned crossing her arms smirking at me.

"Uhh-"

Layla Newman was my best friend and she has been since pretty much kindergarten. We only lived a block away from each other, which was very convenient. When we were little our parents would set us up on play dates and we actually tolerated each other. I mean we would tease one another, and sometimes would have to be stern to the others face. Fortunately, no matter what, we would have each others back and would understand what we were after in life. Also, I have come to realize in the past few years that she will always be the pretty one and I'm the "get good grades, better your future" girl.

Layla had shoulder length blonde hair, that was somehow always wavy, and bright blue eyes that popped. She was going to break a lot of hearts and thankfully for me she was my best friend. Except I wasn't always a fan of the fact that she knew what was going on with me even if I didn't say a single word.

Pointing her finger at me she chuckled, "You were gawking at Josh again, weren't you."

Flabbergasted I bent down to pick up my backpack off the floor and shook my head.

"Tara," she raised an eyebrow.

I sighed quietly, "Yes I was."

"Ohmygosh. You have a serious problem."

"No I do not," I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah okay right, because you haven't had a crush on him since like elementary school," she stated sarcastically. She started walking away, then turned around, grabbed my wrist, and dragged me with her.

"Hey, hey, where are we going?" I questioned keeping up with her pace.

She stopped at half court and released my wrist from her grip. I rubbed my wrist with my left hand dramatically.

"Oh you're such a drama queen. I did not grab your wrist that hard."

"I know, I just wanted to prove a point," I giggled sticking my tongue out at her.

She grinned, "You're such a goof."

"But anyway back to my question. Why were you dragging me across the gym?"

"Why do you think?" she motioned towards Josh, who was still shooting hoops.

"It's just Josh. What about him?"

Layla playfully slapped my arm, "Talk to him."

"Lay, Josh and I are friends, we do talk sometimes," I explained.

"So then explain you constantly blushing when he talks to you?" she smirked.

"Oh shut up. You already freaking know that I like him," I whispered.

She smiled, "Exactly. And it's not like he hates you, I mean if you're his friend he at least likes you as a person."

"Yeah," I nodded. I mean Layla did have a point. It's not like he didn't know me or was my enemy.

"So, then go ask him out on a date or something Tar. I believe in you, you can do it."

I opened my mouth baffled and muttered, "I can't."

"Yes you can," she stated grabbing my arm again. I walked with her dragging my feet behind me. Once we got close to the free throw line she pushed me in Josh's direction. Layla cleared her throat, standing a couple feet behind me, causing Josh to look in our direction.

"Oh hey Little T," he waved picking up his bouncing basketball off the court. He was smiling and sweat was dripping from his eyebrow. Damn that guy was gorgeous.

"Uh h-hi Josh," I stuttered glancing back at Layla and then taking a few steps closer to Josh.

"So how's prom coming along? I see that you're on the committee."

"Um its going well, I think. Apparently Mrs. Greene left Sadie in charge, so that's kind of a bummer," I chuckled.

"Oh," he said shooting the ball through the hoop, "that is quite a bummer. But I think with you and Layla helping it will be an awesome dance."

"Thanks," I blushed tucking a piece of my long dark brown hair behind my ear.

He smiled at me and his eyes glimmered as he continued to dribble the ball. Then once he was ready he brought the ball up and made his shot through the net.

"Actually I came over here to ask you a question," I stammered.

"What is it?" he turned to me.

I took a deep breath and asked, "I was wondering if you, if you, w-would like to uh-uh."

"What is it? Just spit it out T," he smirked.

I looked back at Layla and she nodded her head at me. I nodded back at her, took a deep breath, and faced Josh.

"I was wondering if you would like to maybe sometime teach me how to shoot a basketball like that?" I grinned widely.

Dangit! Why did I ask that? That wasn't even what I wanted to ask him in the first place. I obviously panicked and I knew Layla was disappointed in me without even looking at her.

"Oh, well duh of course I will. I'm glad you asked, and we'll have to set a date. Anything for you, Little T," he beamed putting his fist out wanting a fist bump.

I smiled at him, still blushing, and returned his fist bump. God he makes me want to just melt into a puddle.

"Okay, it's a figurative date," I said cringing at my own words. I started walking away angry at myself shaking my head.

"See you in class tomorrow Tara. Oh and hey Layla," he shouted as I kept walking.

I reached Layla and I was right, I could tell she was disappointed in me. Her arms were crossed, her eyebrow was raised and she was shaking her head at me.

"What?" I asked knowingly.