No Such Thing As A Hollywood Ending

chapter 5

Lucy paced around her room, her thoughts racing as she rehearsed what she was going to say to Henry. It wasn't like she'd never been to a school dance before—she had, plenty of times. But this time felt different. She wasn't just planning to go alone, like she usually did. This time, she was going to ask someone. And that someone was Henry.

Her heart fluttered at the thought. It wasn't like Henry would expect her to ask him. He wasn't used to people wanting to be around him, and Lucy knew how uncomfortable he could get in social situations. But that was why she wanted to ask him—to show him that he was wanted, that he wasn't just some outsider who didn't belong.

Still, the whole thing made her nervous. She wasn't exactly sure why, though. She'd told herself it was no big deal—they were just going as friends. That's what she'd explain to Henry, too, in the hopes of making it less awkward. And yet, despite her own words, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of her mind, the one that kept whispering, Why do I want this to be more than just friends?

Lucy shook her head, trying to clear the thought. Now wasn't the time to dwell on that. All she needed to do was ask him.

The next day, Lucy found herself sitting by the piano again, waiting for Henry. The cafeteria was loud as usual, but the little corner by the piano always felt like a bubble of calm. She fiddled with her lunch, picking at the fancy sandwich she had no intention of eating.

When Henry finally walked in, Lucy felt her heart speed up. He glanced around the room, his usual cautiousness in his movements, and made his way over to the piano when he spotted her.

"Hey," he said, sitting down next to her.

"Hey," Lucy replied, her voice a little higher than she intended. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. Just ask him, she told herself.

They sat in silence for a moment, Henry's fingers absentmindedly brushing over the piano keys. Lucy watched him, her nerves building.

"Henry," she began, finally working up the courage. "I was wondering if you'd want to go to the school dance with me."

Henry paused, his fingers freezing mid-movement. He looked at her, clearly surprised. "You... want to go with me?"

"Yeah," Lucy said, quickly adding, "But, like, just as friends. You know, so there's no pressure or anything."

Henry visibly relaxed at her words. The tension in his shoulders eased a little, and he gave her a small nod. "Friends. That sounds... better."

Lucy smiled, hoping her own awkwardness didn't show too much. "Yeah, I figured it might be easier that way. No big deal, right? We'll just go, have fun, and no weird expectations or anything."

Henry nodded again, his expression thoughtful. "I've never really gone to any dances before," he admitted. "I wasn't sure if I'd be any good at it."

Lucy let out a light laugh, feeling the tension between them ease just a little. "Honestly, I'm not even sure what 'being good at a dance' means. Most people just stand around and talk."

Henry gave her a small smile, and for a moment, everything felt normal. Simple. Friends. That's what they were.

But as they sat there, Lucy's mind kept drifting back to that question, the one she couldn't shake: Why do I want this to be more than that?

She didn't say anything, though. It didn't seem right to burden Henry with that. Not when he was just starting to feel comfortable around her. Not when she was still figuring out what those feelings meant herself.

Instead, she smiled back at him and said, "So, it's settled then. We'll go to the dance as friends."

"Yeah," Henry agreed, his voice steady. "As friends."

But as they sat there, in the quiet corner of the cafeteria, Lucy couldn't help but wonder if that was really all she wanted.