Boundless Love

Chapter Eleven - Snacks

I leave the locker room with Ilaria and head straight for the school entry door to meet Azaiah. 

"I still can't believe you got a bloody nose playing dodgeball. This is just another reason physical education should be optional in high school, not mandatory," Ilaria says again, rolling her eyes. "Like, aim lower- you're a jock, I know you can do it.'

I chuckle, bringing my hand up to touch my sore nose. "Ria, it's dodgeball. Bloody noses aren't uncommon," I say, ignoring her comment about gym class. 

"Y'know what was uncommon though?" Ria asks suggestively. "Cayden getting back at his friends after they'd got you out." She wiggles her brows at me with a cheeky smile. 

"Bruh, it's not that deep. That's how you play dodgeball," I deny again. 

"Lizaveta, I know for a fact that you saw him whip a ball at each of his friends after they knocked you silly. That was his revenge." She nods at herself, seeming so sure. 

"Y'know, I see your point," I start, watching her get so excited at my admittance that I don't even bother mentioning my boyfriend, as I know she doesn't care for him. "But, Cayden was just trying to get his friends out all game," I continue, watching her excitement dimmer. "After thinking about it logically, I'm sure he was just looking for an opening to get his friends out. And them all being distracted by me was a perfect opportunity for him," I explain. 

She shakes her head and stops at the door, turning to me. "But-"

"No 'buts'. Cayden would never like me. We aren't in middle school anymore, Ilaria," I tell her firmly. 

"Fine." She crosses her arms over her chest and sinks back against the wall behind her, waiting for Azaiah. 

I follow her lead, leaning my back against the wall in the space beside her. I run my eyes over everyone in the Commons, smiling when I see Azzy making her way towards Ria and me. 

"Heyyy, "Ria and I sing to Az as she gets closer. 

"Hey!" she chirps back, wrapping us all into a big hug. 

"Oh my gosh, I have great news!" Ilaria suddenly excites up again, pulling away from the hug. "I wanted to wait until Az was here too, Lizzy, otherwise I'd have told you already, but..."

Azaiah and I look at each other and then back to Ria, prompting her forward. 

"Danny asked me out!" she squeals, a smile written brightly across her face. 

"You're kidding me!" Azzy smiles, gripping Ria's arm in excitement. "You've been crushing on him for at least this whole year. How'd he ask?!"

"Well, I was in Science after lunch when we got paired up for a partner project, and we were talking- and he's so much cuter up close!" she cuts herself off. 

"Right, right. Go on," I urge her with a smile, wanting to hear the details. 

"Well, we were talkin' when he just casually asked me out. He was so calm, and I was just absolutely freaked out on the inside," she tells us. 

"Did your face do that thing?" Az asks. 

"What thing?"

"The thing where it gets red as a tomato," I tell her, chuckling. 

Her eyes widen. "Oh no! No! Maybe? Why'd you guys let this happen to me?!" she complains, flailing her arms. 

Azaiah and I just chuckle, patting her on the back. 

"No matter, he obviously still thought you were cute enough to ask out," Azzy reassures her. "Where are you guys gonna go?"

"The point," she smiles, referring to the pier teens like to go to hang out. "Then, he said he would take me to get something to eat."