Betting on the Nerd

Chapter 12: Secret Valentine

Important A/N At The End

*Thanks to moonbambi for the cover! If any of you would like to make a cover or fanart or something I would love to put it up at some point or another! <3*

Jessica's POV:

All I can say is that, in this moment, I feel beautiful. The way Chris's eyes light up as I descend the staircase, it makes me feel like I'm special. Like I'm the only girl in his world-woah woah woah. Hold the fudge up! We are going as friends! That's it! No mas! I wouldn't want to go as anything else either. Friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

I mean, for fucks sake, he's been my worst nightmare for most of my life! That fucker! Why am I even bothering going with him? When did I ever become okay with being anywhere near him?!

All of the sudden, the anger I've always had for him comes rushing back. Oh, this bitch is in for one hell of a night. Him and his pet tortured me for most of my school years, there is no way I would allow them to have a clean slate just like that. Sure, I'm a few years late, but better late than never, am I right?

I walk over to him, making sure to move my hips. But I wouldn't be Jess, if I didn't fall every two seconds. Luckily, I catch myself and scramble to him, my cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. I purposely step on his shiny, black shoes and cackle internally as I notice him wince, but smile at me nonetheless.

That's when it hits me. Here I am, about to go to the dance with one of my closest friends and I'm bringing back old grudges. He has changed so much and yeah it sucks what we had to go through to get here, but I love him....As a friend, of course. Jussssssttt Friends.

Before I have time to register where I am, Chris is opening my door, smiling at me gently.

"M'lady" he says in an exaggerated posh accent as he bows.

I can't help giggling as I put my hand in his, walking to the gym entrance. The decorations are cute, cheesy, but cute nonetheless. There are cut-out hearts hanging from the ceiling, as well as little cupids, and heart-shaped confetti all over the gym floor. Like I said, cheesy, but cute.

Beth and Alex are soon lost in the crowd of the dance floor. No surprise there, Beth has always been a dancer; I just hope Alex is too. And Jack disappear into a crowd of desperate girls who bathe him in attention. Which he gladly accepts.

"Do you want something to drink?"

I look up and smile instantly. Chris's cheeks are rosy and he's rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes glued to the floor. I'm tempted to say no because the punch will obviously be spiked, but just one look at his face has me saying, "I'd love a drink."

His nervous expression becomes one of a kid on Christmas, but he soon covers it with a lopsided grin. He guides me to the drinks table and looks at me expectantly as he hands me a drink. I eye it skeptically but chug it down anyways, cringing at the burning sensation in my throat.

"You realize that the drinks are spiked right?" I can only manage to nod as I'm too busy coughing my guts out to answer him. Classy, Jess, very classy.

He drinks from a different bowl and frowns. "This ones not spiked..." he says, pulling out a flask. My eyes widen as I realize what he's doing. "Do you wanna do the honors or should I?"

I open my mouth to scold him, but close it shut soon after. The alcohol must be getting to my head, because before I realize what I'm doing, I grab the flask and pour it into the bowl.

"Jess! Not so obvious! You'll get us suspended!" He, all but yells, at me, lowering my hand. I serve my self a cup of the newly spiked punch and shrug.