Skating on thin ice

Chapter thirteen: a girl of action

Jossan

Brooke and I were sprawled out on my bed, surrounded by a sea of nail polish bottles, makeup, and magazines.

A typical girls' night in. We'd been talking about everything from school gossip to our latest celebrity crushes, but my mind kept drifting back to Mat.

Brooke noticed, of course. She always did.

Brooke: "Okay, spill it," she said, nudging me with her elbow.
Brooke: "What's going on in that pretty little head of yours? And don't say nothing because I know that look."

I sighed, flipping onto my back and staring up at the ceiling.

Jossan: "It's Mat. I just... I don't get it. I've done everything, Brooke. Literally everything. And he still hasn't made a move. What's wrong with him?"

Brooke raised an eyebrow.

Brooke: "Everything, huh? Care to elaborate on 'everything'?"

I rolled my eyes, sitting up and grabbing a pillow to hug.

Jossan: "You know, flirting, teasing, the whole popsicle incident... I've basically thrown myself at him, and he just... nothing!"
Brooke: "The popsicle thing was definitely a bold move, I'll give you that. But maybe Mat's just... I don't know, shy?"
Jossan: "Shy? Mat? Have you met him? He's like the least shy person I know."

Brooke shrugged, taking a sip of her soda.

Brooke: "Okay, maybe not shy. But boys are weird, Jossan. Sometimes they need a little push. Maybe he's waiting for you to make the first move."

I frowned, considering her words.

Jossan: "But I've already done so much. What more does he need?"

Brooke grinned, leaning in closer.

Brooke: "Sometimes a boy just needs a direct approach. You've got to spell it out for them. You know, less hinting and more action."
Jossan: "You really think that'll work?"

Brooke nodded emphatically.

Brooke: "Absolutely. And if it doesn't, well, then he's a lost cause. But you'll never know until you try."

Brooke glanced at the clock and sighed.

Brooke: "I hate to break up our little therapy session, but I should probably get home. My mom's expecting me."
Jossan: "Alright."
Brooke: "Text me later and let me know how it goes, okay?"

I nodded, giving her a hug before she left.

I paced back and forth in my room, Brooke's words echoing in my head.

"Sometimes a boy just needs a direct approach."

I glanced out my window, my eyes landing on Mat's house next door. His bedroom light was on, a faint glow in the growing darkness.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I was heading downstairs and out the front door. The cool evening air hit my face as I marched across our lawns, my heart pounding with each step.

I reached Mat's front door and hesitated for just a moment before ringing the doorbell.

After what felt like an eternity (but was probably only a few seconds), the door swung open.

Mat stood there, looking annoyingly handsome in a t-shirt and sweatpants.

Mat: "Jossan? What are you doing here?"

I put on my best nonchalant smile, leaning against the doorframe.

Jossan: "What, a girl can't pay a friendly visit to her favorite neighbor?"
Mat: "I'm your only neighbor."
Jossan: "Are you going to invite me in, or do you make all your guests stand on the porch?"