Catching Feelings

Head over heels

"I thought you were having lunch with Jake." Hailey tells me as I sit down at our normal table.

"Yeah. We are but I can't find him. I'll just wait here. Maybe he got kept in or something."

"He wasn't. He was out of class before me," Leah says.

"Oh. Okay," is all I can think of to say.

"Don't worry. There has to be a reasonable explanation," Hailey says with smile.

"What are you doing with your hair for the dance?" Leah asks.

"I have no clue yet. I'll see how I feel tomorrow," I answer.

"I think I'm gonna pin it all up. It'll make me look all sophisticated," she informs us.

"That will look super cute! And do you have a necklace to wear with the dress?" I ask.

"I do not want to have this conversation. I already went shopping with you guys. Please spare me the make-up and accessories talk," Cody says, shaking his head.

"Fine," Leah says crossing her arms and pouting.

"So do you guys wanna come over on Saturday. My mom says she wants to hear everything about the dance from the main sources," I say with a grim expression.

"Sure. Then we can hear you tell your mom all about Jake and what a gentleman he really is," Leah says happily.

"As fun as that sounds I am going to have to pass. I promised my gran I'd re-paint the kitchen for her," he says.

"The day after the dance?" I ask.

"Yeah. To save myself from having to sit through another day of your ridiculous girl talk."

Hailey rolls her eyes at his statement. "You're going to hear all about it eventually. You know how much Emma loves talking," she tells him and I glare at her.

"Hey...isn't that Jake over there," Leah suddenly says. I turn and look in the direction she's staring.

She's right. Jake's on the other side of the cafeteria with a few of his friends.

"He probably forgot. It's no biggie," I say before looking down at my food.

"Really? Are you sure you don't wanna go talk to him or something?" Hailey asks.

"I'm sure. It's really not a big deal. We're not dating. We're just going to the dance together," I say and Hailey just looks at me and sighs.

"Look-" she starts but she's cut off by the bell.

I quickly get up and grab all my stuff. "I'll see you guys later," I call out as I run out the cafeteria.

I wish I hadn't though because I run straight into Jake. Today is just not my day. Jake sends me a huge smile as if nothing happened.

"Uh hi," I say awkwardly.

"Hey Em- oh crap we were gonna have lunch weren't we?" he asks and I nod. "I'm so sorry. Blake wanted to talk to me about something and I got distracted but that's no excuse. I really am sorry Emma," he says taking hold of my hands and looking me straight in the eyes. I take a huge gulp before answering.

"It's okay Jake," I tell him with a smile to show I'm not lying. And I'm not. He was forgiven the moment the word sorry left his mouth.

"Are you sure? I promise I'll make it up to you," he tells me.

"I'm sure. But I really have to get to class so I'll see you later okay," I say and he lets go of my hands.

"At least let me walk you to class," he says. He doesn't wait for an answer though. He grabs my hand and pulls me down the corridor.