Prom Committee

Butterflies & Spaghetti for Lunch

A couple of hours went by and it was finally lunch time. It was a needed time for my brain to recharge and my body to relax.

Layla and I both walked over to our usual table by the soda vending machine and set our trays down. We have always sat at this specific table since we started high school and I don't think that was ever going to change. It was a safe place where gossip, ranting, and crying happened.

"How did you do on that geometry test?" Layla asked sitting down.

"Oh that was easy. Passed it," I replied following suit.

"Wait, how do you know? Mr. Jones hasn't even graded them yet."

"Lay, I'm smart, remember. But why are you worrying about that right now? Aren't you at all peeved that Mrs. Greene is making Beck assist us?" I questioned setting my phone on the table.

She popped a grape into her mouth, and nonchalantly said, "No."

"What is wrong with you? Do you really want that slacker involved in our personal after school time?" I remarked.

"I just don't care Tara."

"But how?" I uttered.

"Well that's easy. I am me and I just don't worry about things like that," she grinned grabbing my phone off the table.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I wondered.

She was tapping away at my screen with her fingers moving swiftly. Dammit. Sometimes I wish I never told her my phone password for these obvious reasons.

"There," she stated putting my phone in her sweatshirt pocket.

"What? Why are you smiling?"

She chuckled, "No reason."

"Are you really not going to tell me?" I squinted at her.

"No I am not."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes before shoveling a fork full of spaghetti in my mouth.

I was a very studious human being, but I was certainly not the cleanest. Specifically whenever I tried cooking, baking or just eating there was bound to be a mess.

"Can I please at least have my phone back?" I asked still chewing my food.

She shook her head, and laughed, "Do you have any table manners Tara?"

"Yes. No. Sometimes," I babbled laughing.

"Here," she said handing me a napkin.

"Thanks buddy," I replied taking the napkin and using it on my face.

I finished wiping my face and then all of a sudden everything went dark. My senses told me that I was still in the cafeteria, so I decided to reach for my face. I placed my hand on the thing that was covering my eyes, and I concurred it was a hand. It was a bigger hand though, so it wasn't Layla's.

"Hello?" I softly spoke.

"Guess who?" a deep voice whispered in my ear.

Signs were going off that I knew right then and there who it was. The whisper sent chills down my spine, and I felt my face get warm. My palms were slightly sweaty and my heartbeat started beating a little faster than normal.

"Josh," I uttered.

He removed his hand from my view, but placed it somewhere else. My eyes now fully focused and opened I saw him standing there with a tray in one hand and my chin in the other.

"Hey little T," he smiled removing his hand from my face and sitting down next to me.

"What are you doing over here?" I stammered.

"Well you texted me to come over here today for lunch," he quipped.

"I did?"

I looked over at Layla confused and she nodded her head with her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. What was this girl up to? She was surely scheming again, which I loved but hated at the same time. I might as well go along with whatever she has cooking in that head of hers.

I turned towards Josh, "Right, I did. I'm sorry I forgot, it's kind of been an off day for me."

"Oh, why's that?" he questioned chomping on a carrot stick.

"Um I rather not bore you with my problems. I'm sure you don't want to hear me ramble on about something stupid," I responded trying to avoid looking at his gorgeous face.

He took a sip of his milk, and said, "Tara, you know I like talking to you. I enjoy hearing you talk about random facts or complete nonsense."

"But w-why?" I stuttered feeling my face get warm.

Josh put his hand on my shoulder, looked me straight in the eye and explained, "Because you are a breath of fresh air compared to hearing the rest of the basketball team talk about the size of their genitals. When I'm talking to you it's as if I'm speaking to an actual human and not an immature five year old."

I giggled and started blushing, shaking my head.

Dammit. Butterflies. This Greek god always gives me butterflies, no matter what he says. Ugh I wish I could just ask him out already, instead of being a chicken.

"Thank you, that does make me feel better," I smiled as he let go.

"So tell me why you're not having a good day."

"Beck Johnson."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"What she means is," Layla butted in, "he got in trouble again and instead of doing detention, Mrs. Greene is making him be a part of the prom committee."

Wow. I honestly forgot that she was still here. I am a terrible best friend. I get distracted by hotness way too easily.

"Oh. So what is he helping with?"

I sighed, "Decorations."

"Now I see why you're upset. She's literally making him work on a committee with you. And clearly I can tell that you don't like him."

"If anything she is clearly punishing me instead of Beck," I mumbled crossing my arms.

"I told you that it will be okay," Layla stated now putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, Layla's right. Just try to stay positive and if that does not work just be stern and don't let him get to you. You guys will make this work no matter what. I believe in you," he voiced giving me an encouraging smile.

I swear one day I want to marry this human being.

"Thank you, to the both of you. You guys are the absolute best."

Layla put her hand up wanting a high five so I returned it grinning. I was lucky to have her as my best friend. I turned towards to Josh and he had his fist out per usual. I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and connected my fist to his. There was something about this man that favored fist bumps. I mean not that I was complaining, it gave me the chance to touch him. Appropriately of course.