Enchanted

Chapter 26

Nicolette

Two weeks ago, Cedric walked over and sat with me during maths class. I didn't expect our friendship to rekindle so fast but Sabrina made it work like a bullet train. In the school compound, I would just wave or nod at him. He still sits with the boys whilst Sabrina and I stay together and crash our friend's groups. After-school or at weekends, we become the three musketeers or more like the time I spend being a third wheel.

"I need your help," He whispered to me.

I looked up at the whiteboard where a bunch of logarithms and surds were scribbled. I was barely understanding them and someone smarter than me trying to ask for guidance was an insult to my dignity. "Haha, not funny."

"No, I mean help with the homecoming." He explained, looking slightly awkward.

"Sure," I answered without knowing what help he needed, "I might need you to teach me today's lesson in return."

"You got yourself a deal."

I didn't want my best friend's boyfriend to be at my house and neither did he but we didn't tell each other directly. "Library?" I suggested.

"I think a cafe would be better unless you want to be kicked out by the lady for defying the silent rule."

Sabrina took the bus home because she wanted to work on her art piece that will be her submission to a competition to stand a chance of winning a trip to New York City that includes VIP tickets to The Museum of Modern Art and a feature of her artwork at one of the exhibits during World Art Day. During the days when Cedric has no soccer practice, he would offer to give her a ride home but I assumed Sabrina left out some details because she often seemed more joyful the next day.

"So what do you want to talk about homecoming?" I asked even though I have the slightest idea what his answer was.

"I want to ask Sabrina to dance but I don't know how to approach her."

Bingo.

"Will you be providing the tickets?" I cringed at my childish joke.

"Yes, of course!" He laughed. "I'll get you one as well."

"Oh, no thank you." I waved it off politely even though I wanted to go so badly.

We discussed some suggestions like sending roses with a love letter and baking a cake which didn't stand out to both of us. I wanted the best for Sabrina and so does Cedric. But Sabrina didn't like surprises and certainly not fancy parties. "Birthday is just like any other day in that 365 days being one year older," Sabrina stated last year when I took her downtown for her sweet 16 celebration.

"How about you write her a poem?" Cedric was very good with words, especially reciting them in the most affectionate way.

"No. I think I will stick to writing a message on cardboard and ringing her doorbell instead of asking her in school," Cedric said extravagantly.

"Up to you." I shrugged.

The next day, Cedric bought cardboard and stickers at the stationery shop and I lent him my 24 colour marker pens to draw. We narrowed down the proposal message ideas to two:

Homecoming with me? I donut want to be left on the dance floor alone.

I'm not Bobby Fischer but I would be delighted to have you be my queen on the chess board this homecoming.

We tried not to be cheesy so we ended up sticking to the second one.

"Do you want me to follow you?"

"I can handle the rest. Thank you, Nicolette. For everything." Cedric accepted the box of handmade glazed doughnuts I fried last night because I didn't want him to appear silly at the doorstep.