The Mirror Coal

Less than Three <3?

   The next day after school, I had basketball practice in the gym. Arden watched me practice on the bleachers. She's already gotten permission from her Dad to work on our project. We're going to work on our project at my house. I should have cleaned it a bit. Oh yeah, I told Mom. She probably cleaned the house because she's obsessed with Arden. Oops. Gotta go join a team. I walked around the court trying to find a team to join and bumped into Derrick.
"Sup bro," said Derrick.
   "Sup," I replied. I'm pretty sure I've seen Derrick a few times before. He was in Chemistry class - I think - and I've seen him a few times in the hallway as well.
"So you wanna join my team?" he asked.
   "Sure, I guess." I walked to the group of people. I saw Will, Sean, Greg, and a couple other guys there.
"Sup Ryan," said Will.
   "Sup Will."
   "So you joining our team?" he asked.
   "Yeah."
   "Cool bro," replied Will.
We practiced for about an hour on the court. We did some drills, shot some hoops, and played Knock Out with the other teams. I looked over at Arden, who was sitting on the bleachers. Arden was carving stuff out of coal, but I did catch her staring at me a few times and blushing. Maybe she does like me. Maybe not like really, really, like me. But she likes me a little. I hope so.
It was time to get ready to go home so I gathered my belongings and went to change in the boys' locker room. I smelled like a gross, dying cow. Sweat was dripping rapidly on my forehead. I grabbed my towel and wiped the sweat away. I should really put on some deodorant and cologne.
After I finished getting dressed and putting on cologne and deodorant, I walked out the boys' locker room and met up with Arden.
"Sorry that you had to wait for me," I said.
"It's okay. I got all my homework done and got to finish two of my coal figurines," she replied quietly.
"Nice," I replied awkwardly.
"You . . umm . . did a pretty nice job on the court," mumbled Arden as she walked faster blushing.
"Thanks. Hey! Wait up!" I yelled as I ran to her. She walked faster and grabbed the door handle and went out; I followed behind her. Suddenly, she tripped and all her papers and notebooks fell out of her hands.
"Sorry," I apologized. She didn't saying anything back. I gathered up papers and notebooks and placed them in her backpack. There was one paper left on the ground and I attempted to pick it up. Instead of touching the paper I touch Arden's hand by accident. I guess she was also trying to pick up the paper. I looked up and saw her beautiful, dark brown eyes. She stared at me too and blushed.
"We should really be going now," said Arden as her cheeks turned into scarlet red.
"Okay then," I said.
We walked to the front of the school where Mom was waiting.
"So this is Arden!" said Mom as she winked at me and pulled over.
I started to blush and so did Arden.
   "Hi nice to met you, Arden. You can call me Mrs. Higa," said Mom with a wide smile.
   "Nice to meet you too," said Arden shyly. We went into the car and Mom started driving.
"Umm. Mom. Can you drive us to the store? We need to get some supplies for our project," I asked.
"Sure," she replied. 
   I felt a little embarrassed asking since Arden was there. Mom continued driving and after a few minutes we were already there.
"Don't take too long you two okay? Ten minutes max," she said as she parked the car.
   We went out of the car and started walking.
"So what do we need for our project?" I asked.
"First, we need to use our textbook and our laptops for research. And then, we need to make a poster about it. So, I guess we need a poster board and some art supplies." said Arden quietly.
"Okay, " I said.
   We walked into the store and I noticed someone really familiar.
"Ayeeee!!! Sup my boy, Ryan!" said Lilly.
   "Hey GURL!!!" I replied as we chest bumped and did our secret handshake. Lilly is a friend of mine that moved here too. (Sorry Rylly shippers, but Lilly and Ryan are just close best friends that slay. 💁)
"So...how was your summer?" I asked.
    "Dude, it was so boring! Ugh, but now we have school, so at least I got to sleep in. Hey enough about me. Who that cutie you with huh? Ryan you lil naughty boy how come you never told me huh?"
Arden blushed and her pale face turned bright red.
"Uhhhhh...this is Arden. We met a day ago.  We have to do a project together so we're getting supplies. Mom's going to be mad if I don't hurry up. See ya Lil!" I replied as we walked to the art section.
"So we need a poster board, umm... some markers, colored pencils, and maybe some stencils?" I said to Arden. I waited for a reply but it was silent. I looked at Arden and she was staring at the ground.
"Hello? Ardennnn?" I said, trying to stop her daydreaming.
"Ohh! Sorry what did you say again? " Arden said, startled.
"So we need a poster board, markers, colored pencils, and maybe some stencils, right?" I repeated.
"I don't think we need stencils," Arden said, smiling.
I sort of blushed and turned the other way to grab some markers. She does like me right. But it only has been one day. Maybe we'll just be bros like Lilly and I?
"Hey, umm.... I gotta get something..... meet you at the cash register okay?" I said.
"Okay," she replied as you threw more supplies into the shopping cart.
I walked around the store, trying to find a little gift for Arden. Hmmm...what should I get her....this teddy bear..nah. Ah ha! I should get her this rock shaped like a heart! (sorry guys the cheese I can't OMG!!!!! Super cheesy sorry )
"I walked to the cash register and payed for the gift before Arden came. When she arrived I insisted to pay but she wanted to.
"How 'bout I'll pay half and you pay the other half?" I suggested.
"Okay then," said Arden.
She calculated the amount we each have to pay and we actually gave the cashier the correct amount of money. Geez she's smart too!
"You guys are such a cute couple!" said the cashier as we walked out the door.
   I wanted to go back to explain but I decided not to. Arden was blushing and didn't speak at all until we arrived at the house.
"Arden, so this is our house. Make yourself feel like home," said Mom as she unlocked the door.
"Wow, your house is amazing " Arden said.
"Thanks sweetie! I got a lot of inspiration from Tumblr and Pinterest," said Mom smiling wide as walked to the kitchen.
"Hey, your Mom's pretty cool," said Arden shyly.
"I know right she's the best. We should get started on our project."
"We researched and worked on the poster for about an hour. Arden did most of the research since I didn't really know what we were doing because I wasn't paying attention in class.

• • •

"Hey, gotta go. It's getting a little late," said Arden.
"Wait!" I said as I grabbed her hand.
(OMG GUYS THE FEELS WHEN I WAS TYPING THIS o-O <3)
We stared into each other's eyes and I felt like I was in a romantic movie.
Uh...I got this for you from the store. I knew you liked coal but I couldn't find a heart shaped piece of coal. So that's why it's a rock instead," I said as I smiled awkwardly, presenting the heart shaped rock to her.
"Thanks," she replied quietly as she smiled.
   "Ummm....do you want me to ask Mom to drive you back home," I asked.
"No, it's okay. I happen to live down the street actually," she replied.
"What a coincidence! Do you want me to walk with you?"
"Uh....it's okay," she replied as she blushed.
   We walked down the stairs and she grabbed her backpack and binder.
"Bye, Mrs. Higa. Thank you for driving me here," she said as she put on her shoes.
"Aww...that's so sweet of you. Be safe and have a great evening," replied Mom as she hugged Arden.
Arden walked out the door and waved. I waved back while butterflies tickled my stomach. I watched her walk back to her house and went inside.
"Arden's such a pretty and sweet girl. Hope  you two become good friends," said Mom with a smirk on her face.
"Well she is something."

A/N
   OMG, SORRY THIS IS LIKE THIS CHAPTER WAS SO BAD SORRY 😭 I STARTED SCHOOL THREE WEEKS AGO AND COULDN'T WRITE. SORRY!!!!!!