Crush 2021 (Tamber)

Chapter 5: after school

Things between Tara and I have felt different for a while. Since the party and the day we spent in the library, there was almost this unspoken thing between the two of us.

No one mentioned anything, though, and I was glad. I just had to figure out how to make this unspoken thing... spoken.

I had changed into a short sleeved black crop top and baggy pants after art because of all the paint that destroyed my previous clothes.

"I'm gonna have to wash this good." I said, putting my clothes in a bag.

"I'm just gonna throw my stuff away, I hated that outfit anyway." Mindy said as she came to stand beside me.

We were on our way to the courtyard and hadn't met up with anyone from the group yet.

"So Tara's birthday is coming up." I said.

"YUP, I'm excited." Mindy replied.

"I was tryna figure out if this would be a good time to tell her."

"Tell her you like her?" Mindy asked with a smirk.

"Yeah, I mean, it's been a long time, and Taras is so sweet. I don't know what I'm so afraid of." I admitted as we continued down the hall.

"I know what you're afraid of." Mindy said.

I gave her a curious look.

"You're afraid of her being straight or saying no and then things being weird between ya'll because she knows you like her." Mindy explained.

"You know me better than I know myself sometimes."

"Amber." Mindy said, stopping and holding both of my hands.

"Yeah."

"Tara has given you sign after sign. I think the chances of rejection are slim to zero." Mindy said.

"Sometimes you can't tell if a girl likes you back or if she's just being a nice girl." I said.

"Hmm, that's true, but also you're Tara's friend, and whether she likes you back or not, I'm sure she'd appreciate your honesty rather than never telling her." Mindy said.

"You're persuading is working." I said as we kept walking.

"I have an idea." Said Mindy.

"What?"

"Have a little homework session with Tara, but mentally treat it like a chemistry read." Mindy replied.

"Chemistry read?"

"Yeah, like, see how the energy feels, if it feels like you're talking to a friend or talking to a romantic interest. Just really zone in and look for signs." Mindy explained.

"I guess I could try that." I said, looking down at my shoes.

"Hey guys." Liv waved, walking up with Wes, Chad, and Tara.

"What's up?" Mindy said.

"We're gonna go to the park for a bit, ya'll wanna come?" Chad said

"I have homework." I said.

"What kind?" Mindy asked.

"Math. I'm gonna fail." I said.

"I could help you, but I'm not all that good at math either, Tara's better." Mindy winked at me.

"Yeah, I'd rather be inside anyways, I could help you with math." Tara smiled.

"Alright, we'll see you two around." Mindy waved and winked at me when Tara turned around.