Is This Love?

Chapter 25- Yes or No?

Kriss's P.O.V.

My hands were clammy, and I had to think twice to be sure I wasn't dreaming. I stood there for moments looking at his face, a look of eagerness clouding it. When nothing happened, I was sure Pete had said it. He did ask me to be his girlfriend. And I had no idea what I felt like.

Wasn't this too sudden? I never thought he would ever ask me this specific question, but here he is now, and I had no idea how to respond. Should I gasp? Squeal? Stammer of nervousness? Or say yes?

I don't think I'll say no, but I don't know if I'll say yes. What if I reject him for now, telling him to take things slowly?

And my mom...I should have told her that I liked Pete too, so she won't be too shocked when I tell her this....and I knew Kaylie and Janine shouldn't have lied to her. I need time to think. That's what I need.

Pete's eyes bored into mine, now having a worried expression on it. I don't know what to say, but suddenly words began to tumble from my mouth.

"I...I have to use the comfort room, if that's fine...?" The last words came in a questioning tone, but it was too late to back out.

First he said nothing. Then he nodded his head once, a little uncertainly, and I flipped around fast and dashed to the restroom outside.

No one was inside when I got in, which was good. I looked at the mirror for a long time, my thought all confused.

What should I say when I go back? I am going back there, right? I can't just ditch him or something. How do I respond?? If I say yes, will that be a mistake? If I reject him, will he be mad at me, or will he be able to understand my decision?

Think fast, I thought, it's been 5 minutes already...Pete might think I'm trying to avoid him or something.

I got no idea. When I was about to head out, I heard footsteps, and Kaylie and Janine got inside before I could move.

"Hey!" Janine said to me. "What's up? I saw you come in here."

"Yeah. Why aren't you out there enjoying your date?" Kaylie teased.

"Help me think, please," I said to them. There faces became worried.

"Did something go wrong? What is it?"

I bit my lip. "Pete just....he just...asked me to be his girlfriend," I whispered the last part.

Unsurprisingly, Kaylue squealed. Janine gasped.

I shushed them.

"What? Pete didn't say anything about that! That wasn't part of the plan!" Janine said, but she looked happy anyway.

"So?" Kaylie said. "That's not a problem. Say yes, that's the obvious answer." I hesitated. "You do want to say yes, right?" She looked at me expectantly.

"Well..." I muttered. "Yeah, I guess. But..."

"But what?"

"My mom...now I have to come up of a lie." I knew it was lame.

"Your worried about that? Don't worry, we'll tell her it's all our fault and you knew nothing about the hangout, or about the date."

That cheered me up, but my mind still wasn't set. "Now what's the problem? Pete's waiting," She reminded me.

"Tell me the truth...Don't you guys think this is so sudden? I mean, weeks of not speaking to each other, then I had one date with him, then he asks me to be his girlfriend?"

Kaylie answered instantly. "Of course not."

"A little," Janine said quietly. Kaylie shot her a look and Janine shrugged, as if to say "She said to be honest! What was I gonna do, lie?"

So I was right. It is too sudden.

"Look," Kaylie looked at me. "If you reject him, it might take very long before he has the courage to set this up again and ask you. If you do like him, which you do, say yes. Who knows when he'll ask you again. A year maybe? 5? I'm sure you don't want to wait that long. That's my opinion." She gave me a small smile.

I turned to Janine, asking her silently for her advice. She cleared her throat. "I stand by what I said just awhile ago." Then she smiled warmly at me. "But I support you for whatever decision you make. That's what friends do."

I smiled back. "Thanks, both of you. I think I got a decision already."

"You go on," Kaylie said. "Pete's waiting for you, and I don't want to let him know we've been talking to you."

I nodded and went out.

10 minutes, I thought, He'll never believe me if I tell him that I just peed. He'll think I was coming up of ways to reject him.

He mustered a weak smile when he saw me.

"Why don't we talk outside? That way we'll get to walk around or something." I don't know how I came up of that, but I just did.

He went with me without speaking, but just nodded. I wish I knew what he was thinking now.

"So...." I said slowly and nervously. "About that thing awhile ago..."

I did not dare look at him, and I think he felt the same way. We walked a few steps before he said something.

"Yeah...So...have you thought about it yet?" He said nervously. "Of course you have...you took a long time in the restroom.." He laughed weakly. I joined in, not knowing what to say.

"But, uh, you know, if you don't like, I totally understand that. This must be too sudden, let's take time slowly, yeah? I mean, if you say yes, that's also fine, but I'm just letting you know that you shouldn't be scared if you want to say no. That's no problem...maybe another time or something...I don't know what made me think to bring the question up,  I know it's not the right time--

"Pete, what are you saying?" I laughed freely. He looked at me with eyebrows raised up, confused. "It's the perfect time."
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(As promised, it's longer. but you'll see more of what happened in the next chapter! Btw, we left the chapter like this cuz it's obvious what Kriss's answer is. Enjoy:)