Flower Boy

Chapter Eight

"Rosa!" Ami called, and I turned, seeing her in the hall before lunch.

"What's up, Ami?" I asked when she got to me.

"We got our quizzes back in math today, and I was so happy! It's the best score I've gotten-"

"Wait wait wait," I interrupted her, "Math quizzes? Back today?" I asked, the blood rushing out of my head. She nodded.

"Why? What's wrong?" She tilted her head, her eyes filling with concern. I smiled grimly and shook my head.

"Nothing, nothing. I was just surprised, that's all. I'm fine." I lied, putting my stuff in my locker.

"Let's go get lunch, 'kay?" I asked, trying to get off the subject.

"Rosa, you don't look so good. Something's wrong, right?" she probed

"No, no, nothing's wrong. I'm fine." I said. Why can't she just leave this alone?

"Rosa, you don't have to keep secrets from me. You can talk to me." She said gently.

"I said, I'm fine!" I lashed out. Immediately I felt bad for snapping at her. Ami had been nothing but nice to me. She was just worried. I was going to apologize, but one look at her fallen face and dark eyes told me that it was too late. I tried anyways.

"Ami, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, don't apologize, Rosa. I understand. It was my fault for prying." Ami said, giving me a forced smile.

"Ami... Really, it wasn't your fault. I'm just having a bad day that's all..."

"Rosa, don't make it worse than it is. Let's just eat lunch." She turned, and I reached out to grab her shoulder.

"No, Ami, I can't leave it like this, I have to just fix this..." She whipped back to me, her eyes burning slightly. You wouldn't be able to tell if you didn't know Ami, but I did.

"Too bad, because I can leave it like this." She hissed and I blinked in surprised. This wasn't the Ami I knew. She sighed and the fire left her eyes.

"Rosa, I'm sorry. It's just that, we can make up as time goes on, like at lunch or something. It's so small, you should just let it go. I started this, and this is how I'll end it, okay?" She said quietly, giving me a small smile. I paused, debating whether or not to tell her it wasn't her fault. I sighed and nodded, letting her have her way.

"Okay, let's go to lunch then." I said, walking forward a little so we were side by side. She smiled a little wider and I felt warm, a small smile tugging at my own lips.

We pushed through the doors, sitting down at our usual table with the Serena, Donavan, Kyle, and Lucas. For the rest of the lunch period, there were no more fights. Ami and I made up, slowly getting more comfortable with each other and by the mid-way point of lunch, we were talking just like we used to. No one in the group seemed to notice the tension between us in the beginning, thank goodness.

"So, how was your little date, you two?" Kyle said, turning to Donavan and I. I blinked, feeling my face get hot.

"I-It was good." I stuttered.

"Did you two finally kiss?" He asked, grinning. I felt like my head was going to explode, it was getting so hot.

"There was no time to." Donavan answered simply and the group laughed.

"Oh, there's always time." Serena said with a grin. Kyle nodded in consent.

"Well, yesterday wasn't the time." Donavan said, shrugging. Serena laughed.

"I bet you were just too scared to." She teased. I shook my head.

"W-we're just not ready!" I protested.

"It's just kissing!" Kyle countered. I covered my face with my hands. I felt an arm around my shoulders. Then I felt something brush my forehead, so gently I almost didn't notice. The group went silent. Then we all heard an exaggerated gasp. I looked up.

"OH MY GOD HE FINALLY DID IT!" Serena screamed. I didn't think it was possible, but I blushed harder. Kyle shook his head.

"That doesn't count!" He said huffily. Donavan pouted.

"I think it did. Don't you, Rosalena?" He looked at me and I nodded vigorously.

"Th-this definitely counts." I got out. Donavan smiled and rubbed my shoulder in an assuring way. Kyle sighed.

"Whatever. We'll be waiting for your first real kiss." He said, grinning again. It was my turn to sigh as the conversation continued. I smiled, the thought of the quiz slipping from my mind for now.