Party Boy

Accidental Ask

Sitting with Nico at lunch did have its downsides. Any time I talked to Lila and Evelyn, they would ask if I was dating him yet. The concept of a friendship and nothing more with a male was apparently impossible for them to grasp. I also noticed that the girl who sat on the end of the table had moved her focus from down at the table to me. Almost everyday, her unbreaking stare was on me rather than her book. It made me wonder why, but moreso, it was starting to creep me out.

Eventually, I discovered another con of sitting with Nico. Anthony knew exactly where to find us.

One day he approached us with an obnoxious smirk on his face (that he most likely always wore). It made me want to punch him in the face.

"So, when's your first date?" he asked.

Nico shot him a murderous look. "Go. Away."

"You shouldn't keep secrets from your brother."

I rolled my eyes. "There is no secret. We're not dating. Leave us alone."

"What do you mean? He confessed his love for you. That always works. And if it didn't, you wouldn't be hanging out with him."

I glared at him. "I know you're the one who sent the text. Besides, you can't fall in love with someone after spending one week with them. Also, I wouldn't cut someone off completely because a feeling isn't mutual. I'm not like every other shallow girl you associate with," I said bitingly. I was shocked that I was brave enough to speak my mind. I guess he made me angry enough to forget my inhibitions.

"That was a lot of words. Can you make that less long and boring?"

Nico replied, "I'll help you understand. You're an idiot."

"Is that all you were saying?" Anthony asked, turning back toward me with a fake pout. "That's not very nice, Red."

I felt my face burn with anger. "My name is Ava."

Anthony laughed. His laughter made me more frustrated. Everything about him made me mad. He radiated smugness and arrogance. It drove me crazy. "What, you don't like nicknames?"

"What I don't like is you."

"Ouch. You're a feisty one, huh? I like that. If my brother doesn't want you, I'll take you." He winked at me.

"I'm not an object."

"Of course not. You're a lady. I have plenty of experience with ladies. I'll give you a good time," he said with another wink. I was enraged at what he was insinuating. I didn't have a witty comeback this time, just a face redder than my hair.

I saw Nico stand up. He looked more furious than I was. "Get away."

Anthony looked down on him and laughed. "Make me."

Nico balled his fists. I began to worry. He was nowhere near as tall as his brother and probably nowhere near as strong. As much as Anthony deserved to be hit, there was no way Nico could win in a fight, which is what he looked like he was about to start.

"Stop. Please," I pleaded.

Anthony looked over at me and smiled smugly. "Whatever you say, Red." I gave him a death glare while he sauntered away.

Nico shook his head and snarled, "I swear, I'm going to kill him one of these days."

"That's probably not a good idea," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

He sighed in frustration. "I'm really sorry about him. He's always a douchebag, but he usually leaves me alone at school. I don't know why he likes to bother you so much. Probably just to piss me off."

"Don't worry about it. Besides, we could always sit somewhere else so he can't find us."

"Like where?"

I bit my lip, thinking. "Well... we could sit with my friends?" I offered, unsure. I didn't quite know how they would react to me bringing Nico to our table. They might be overly excited because I brought a boy with me, or they could be rude because they don't approve of him. I told myself either would be better than being irritated by Anthony.

He shrugged. "That's fine," he answered. "Where do they sit?"

"We can meet here tomorrow and then I'll show you."

"Sounds good."

"Yeah," I added. A silence fell over us. I felt like kicking myself for being so awkward and brainstormed something to say to break the even more awkward silence. "Do you like coffee?"

A puzzled look crossed his face. "What?"

I tried to mask the horror I was feeling. That was an entirely random question that had nothing to do with anything. I tried to save myself by explaining. "Coffee. I was just wondering, do you like it?"

"Uh, yeah," he replied. His confused expression didn't leave. "Why?"

Why? Why did I wonder if he likes coffee? "...Maybe we could grab some some time?" I inquired before considering the consequences.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh. Sure. How about Saturday?"

There was no doubt my mortification was showing through my face. I asked an awkward question, then explained it with another awkward question, leading to what would inevitably be an awkward... date. I didn't want to call it that, but what else would it be? A friendly meeting? You don't ask a friend to get coffee with you. At least not a guy friend. Trying to save myself from one awkward response led to me accidentally asking someone out on a date. Nice save, Avery.