the Girl with the Doodled Converse

Chapter 8

On Monday, Raine greets me with her usual hug as we meet at the bus stop, before handing me a glittery piece of paper.

"It's my birthday on Friday, and you are officially invited to my birthday tea."

"You didn't have to give me a sparkly piece if paper, I could've just walked home with you," I point out, raising my eyebrows.

"Oh, that's for my birthday party at the town hall on Saturday. Duh!"

"Oh, of course. That makes so much sense," ah, the joys of sarcasm.

So, do you want to come?"

"Hmm. Let me think."

"Please! Oh pretty, pretty please!" Raine begs, giving me what I think is supposed to be puppy dog eyes.

"Obviously I'm going to come! You're worth my while, remember!"

"But, nothing more?" Raine asks, her voice wavering slightly.

This is it. My chance to confess to Raine.

Oh, I hope I don't mess up...

"Well, I...um, was wondering whe-whether you'd like to," I take a deep breath.

"Well, I'd like to do what? Go on, it's only me," Raine prompts.

"Whetheryouwouldliketogooutwithme," I ramble.

"Slow down. I couldn't understand a word of what you said. Say it again, but slower."

"I really, really like you, Raine; in fact, I've wanted to ask you this since I first met you (since that day when I saw you blushing with your giggling friends). But I haven't had the guts to ask you, because no matter how scary," sexy," and sullen I am; I really lack social skills. So, before I literally die of embarrassment: will you go out with me?"

"I like you too. But, I don't want to risk my friendship with you. If we broke up, it'd be weird."

"But wouldn't it be weirder knowing that we both like each other?" I ask.

"Let me think about it."

Let me think about it. The procrastinating way of saying no.

What if she already has a boyfriend?

*

"Hey, Raine," the sleazy voice of Kieron purrs, "I heard Marc-ee asked you out. You can do so much better than that loser!"

"What, you mean go out with someone like you?" Raine asks, unimpressed.

"All you have to do is ask."

"No thanks. Your type isn't really my type."

"What! But you're exactly my type," Kieron says in mock surprise, "I'm totally into hobo hippies!" All of Kieron's mates jeer.

Kieron Branning just insulted the most beautiful girl in the world, and now he's going to pay.

"You take that back," I threaten.

"Never." Kieron really knows how to test my patience, and it's so annoying. So I lunge at him.

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" A large crowd (or should I say mob) scream.

"SILENCE!" The mob shuts up and Kieron and I stand up, looking sheepish.

"What on earth were you doing?" Mr Alistair demands.

"I was just joking around with his friend, when Marc threw himself on me!" Kieron explains.

"You were bullying her!"