Oblivion ✓

B| A date I

Highschool

JOSEPHINE

The bell rang, signaling the end of the last class before lunch, and a wave of noise swept over the hallway. I hurried through the crowded corridor, weaving between groups of students chatting and laughing. My sneakers squeaked against the linoleum floors as I made my way toward the locker area, my mind already on the next class. 

"Josephine!" I turned the corner to the row of lockers, eyes fixed on mine. "Hey, Cottencandy!" Oh, I hoped I did my assignment right. Mr. Carlton wasn't my biggest fan already, thanks to Valentino. "Marini!"

I stopped, looking around to see who had called me. Me, and every other student in the hall, it seemed. Great, the center of attention, my most favorite place to be. Oh God, it was Luke. I glanced down at the floor, hoping that somehow, this moment would pass without anything more happening. But of course, it didn't.

"Hey, Josephine!" His voice was smooth, like warm caramel as he made his way toward me. I couldn't help but glance up again, and for a split second, I wondered if I was hearing things. What was he doing, talking to me?

"Hi," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, but it came out much softer than I intended. Luke took a step closer, closing the distance between us, his presence somehow making everything feel more intense. I wanted to say something clever, but nothing came to mind.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" He leaned against the locker next to mine, his eyes still on me. I didn't know whether to nod or just blink at him like I'd lost my ability to form coherent sentences.

"Uh, sure," I managed, although the words sounded foreign in my own mouth. What did he want? Did I forget something? Was I supposed to know him better than I did?

Luke smiled, but there was something different in it now. A little more hesitant. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime." I blinked, staring at him. My breath hitched in my chest. This was absurd. I had to be misunderstanding this. Luke Hastings, asking me out?

"I—what?" The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I felt my face heat up as I fumbled to process what was happening. Luke Hastings—Luke Hastings—just asked me out? After everything he had to endure because of me?

He seemed to sense my confusion, his expression softening. "I know this probably sounds weird, but, um... I really like talking to you. And I thought maybe you would say yes. Just, you know, in case..." He paused, a slight nervousness creeping into his voice, which I found oddly endearing. "I mean, you don't have to say yes. It's just... a thought."

My heart was beating so loud in my ears, I thought everyone in the hallway could hear it. I stared at him, still processing the fact that he was standing in front of me, waiting for me to respond. I felt like my brain was short-circuiting. "I... I didn't—" My mouth was dry, and my palms suddenly felt clammy. What was I supposed to say? Yes? No? Why was he even asking me?

Luke seemed to sense my hesitation and took a step back, his smile faltering slightly. "Hey, if you're not into it, no big deal. I just thought I'd ask, and I don't expect an answer already. How about you think about it and let me know on Tuesday?"

The relief I felt at his nonchalant attitude was followed by a new wave of confusion. What was I supposed to think now? What was I supposed to feel? "Um... I didn't expect that," I finally said, managing a weak laugh as I forced the words out.

Luke chuckled too, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah."

I nodded, my chest tight with uncertainty. I wanted to tell him yes, that I would love to go out with him, but I couldn't quite bring myself to. I wasn't sure if I was even capable of handling the idea. What if it was all some kind of joke? Or worse, what if it turned out I couldn't keep up with someone like him? "Let me think about it?" I said, though it didn't sound as confident as I hoped it would. "And I need to ask Vito first, to see if he's okay with that."