The Jealous Prom Date (A Damianya Story)

4. Getting in the Way

Anya sat at the edge of her bed and sighed. She and Damian got plenty of studying done that night, and Damian had seemed calmer, less annoyed, and less stuck up than usual. Anya giggled at the thought. Then an image of Damian's focused face from their study session appeared in her mind. She slapped her face. Why am I thinking about him again? I'm really losing it, aren't I?

She walked to her open closet and stared at the flowy pink dress covered in shiny beads and stitched flower patterns. Becky had insisted on getting it for her the other night. Anya let the dress flow through her fingers. The only thoughts that ran through her mind the rest of the night were of one thing. The decision of who her prom date would be.

~~~

The next day, Anya rubbed her eyes and walked groggily through the halls of Eden Academy.

"Didn't get much sleep?" Becky ran up to her from behind.

"Nope," Anya laughed.

"What were you thinking about?"
"Thoughts-"
"Oh wait." Becky took out her phone. "Ewen texted me to meet up with him, so I'll see you at class, yeah?"

"Oh-" Becky sprinted away before Anya could finish. "Okay," she scoffed playfully.

"Your friend is fast," a voice behind her spoke into her ear.

Anya jumped back and put her hand over her heart. "You scared me! What the..."

The sparkling eyes of the new boy gazed at her. What was his name again? Theo?

"I'm sorry about that." His smug smile stayed and he reached for Anya's hand, but she pulled it away.

"I see you don't have a line of girls behind you this time."

He laughed, "How observant of you. You know, Anna-"

"It's Anya."

"-that's what I like about you. I've only been here a day, but yesterday you were very interesting. Even through short conversations with your classmates, I saw how observant you were. Almost as if you could read their minds-"
Anya slapped her hand over his mouth to stop him from speaking. More students began to fill the hallways, including Damien.

She started to laugh nervously. "Haha, you're so funny, Theo!" Ugh, why am I saying these corny things?

"Mmm!" Theo backed up. "Wow, Anya. You like me don't you?" he laughed, his smug grin returning to his face.

Anya noticed only a few students were watching them. I got scared for no reason and then overreacted, didn't I? She turned back to Theo. "Sorry, but no."
"Playing hard to get, huh?"

She squinted her eyes at him. "Seriously? I-"

He put his finger over her lips. "No, no. It's okay. I can win you over. You're a very unique girl, but I-"

"Excuse me." Damian pushed Theo's finger away. "I need to speak to my partner about our group project. Come on, Anya." He took her hand and led her down the hall. Anya wouldn't know that Damian glared at the two of them for their whole conversation.

Damian's words were filled with rage. "Why were you with that guy? He sounds like a creep."
He looked down at their held hands and then at Anya. Her big eyes full of surprise stared back at him. "Geez..." He blushed and let go.

Anya smiled, and her grin slowly faded into a giggle. "You surprise me more and more, Damian.

His ears reddened. "Tsk, what's that supposed to mean? You know what? Let's just go. I think we should go... To our class." He awkwardly walked ahead while trying to hide a smile.

Anya's smile faded as she began to think. He keeps tugging on my heartstrings even though I know he doesn't want to go to prom with me. But wait, what if he does tolerate me? Or what if he even enjoys my company- No, that's stupid. He's just being nice to me for the project.

Anya followed behind Damian with her heart full of confusion.