Prom Committee

Mixed Emotions

This morning when I woke up I felt slightly more relaxed and not so much on edge. Talking and unwinding with Layla last night definitely decreased my levels of stress and uncertainty. When I arrived at school and caught up with my best friend we immediately ran into Sadie.

I rolled my eyes at Layla and grunted, "Hi Sadie."

"Hey ladies," she grinned, "I hope decorations are coming along real well."

"They are," Layla responded, crossing her arms.

"Good," she nodded and then walked away.

Layla and I exchanged glances of confusion as we turned around and watched her walk down the hall.

"Okay, that was weird," I stated.

"No, ranch on pizza is weird Tar. That was unnatural," Layla joked.

I pondered, "You don't think that me standing up to her yesterday changed her attitude."

She chuckled, "There is no way that the queen of evil turned good overnight. She has to be up to something."

"Well," I sighed, "I sure hope not. I don't think I have any more mental capacity for overthinking."

We continued conversing by our lockers waiting for the time for school to officially start. I could see Layla's eyes dart past me with a big, goofy grin and decided to turn around. Noah came strolling up wrapping Layla in a hug while Josh was trailing behind him with a small grin.

"Hi Noah," she chirped.

He beamed, "Hey Lay Lay."

Josh and I stood there watching this little rom-com movie scene, and I turned to him with a small grin and he returned a grin back to me.

"Oh my gosh, can you two just date already?" I teased.

"Oh stop it. We're taking things slow," Layla answered.

I rolled my eyes, "It's clear that you two like each other, so just get together before I turn old."

Noah smirked at Layla and then raised an eyebrow at me, "You know it's almost like I've heard this conversation before."

Layla added, "Yeah like maybe when we were teasing you and Josh about being all cute and shooting heart eyes at each other."

I turned my head to look at Josh and he was staring at the ground scratching the back of his head. It was slightly awkward hearing her say that because everything was so strange now. I saw him peer back up with a small smile across his face and he shoved his hands in his pants pockets like a little kid.

"What can I say," he shrugged. "It's kind of hard not to when you're around Tara."

"Um thanks," I softly voiced, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear.

I understood that he was trying to keep peace between us but it was difficult to not hug him in that moment. He was so cute and I really was attempting to not get swept up in those big brown eyes of his.

Ugh, I hate this.

"Sorry," Noah cleared his throat, "I wasn't trying to make the situation awkward. I guess this is why I let Layla do most of the talking."

She shook her head and giggled, "Yeah, we didn't mean anything by it. We know this whole situation is uncomfortable especially for you two and Beck."

"It's fine," I began.

"Yeah," Josh stepped next to Noah, "it's no big deal bro."

As the four of us continued talking I noticed Beck walk past us so I gave him a little wave. He waved back with a small smile and I nudged Layla with my shoulder. Josh and Noah were having a funny conversation about video games and I didn't want to interrupt it by talking about Beck. She furrowed her eyebrows at me as I nodded my head in his direction. Her gaze followed my head and she finally understood what I was attempting to say and nodded.

I quietly left the group and strolled over towards Beck as he was stuffing his supplies in his locker.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Hi Terror."

I chuckled to myself because I didn't know why he still called me that considering we were on good terms. I didn't know if that was his version of a cute nickname or what, but I decided to let it go for now and ask him about it later.

"I wanted to let you know that we won't have a meeting today since pretty much all the decorations are done. We do still have set up tomorrow since prom is literally the day after," I divulged.

He nodded and faced me with a cheeky grin, "Okay, cool. I know it's a long shot, but does that mean you could hangout with Mia today and possibly me?" 

I rolled my eyes and let out a small giggle, "I'm sorry, but I can't. I already have plans after school today."

"Oh," he looked past me and directly at the group. "Are you hanging out with Josh?"

I rubbed my arm and uttered, "No, I'm chilling with Layla and Noah. I needed some time away from my situation."

He nodded and sighed, "Oh okay. I get it. I'm sorry once again."

I stared at him as he continued putting things into his locker with a sad expression on his face. It was hard to see him like this, but I needed this time away from both him and Josh. I wanted to hangout with him, especially since I figured out that I like him too, but I knew I couldn't.

"It's okay Beck," I softly voiced, peering down at my shoes.

I walked back towards my locker and the group and noticed that Josh was no longer standing there.

"Hey, you're back," Layla quipped.

"Yeah, where did Josh go?" I asked, pointing at the empty space where he was standing.

"I think he saw you talk to Beck and said that he needed to get ready for class," Layla replied.

I nodded, biting my lip, "Oh okay."

"Hey don't sweat it little lady, he knows that you haven't made a decision yet," Noah said, patting my back.

I smiled, "Yeah you're right. I'm not going to lie I am a little excited to just hangout with the two of you today."

"I think it's the first time you're actually hanging out with Noah without Josh by his side," Layla stated.

"So I'm sorry if you're going to feel like the third wheel," Noah scratched his neck.

I pointed at him and retorted, "I hate to break it to you Noah, but you'll actually be the third wheel."

Noah shook his head as the three of us laughed at my comment.