Bring Me In

Chapter 3: Stranger Dannger!

October has rolled around and fall is coming! My first month of school has been crazy but the bond I have made with Todd is crazy. Can you imagine spending every Saturday and maybe extra days with your crush? His personality is amazing. Emma and I have actually become really close. She’s into a lot of the same things as me. She’s easy to talk too and someone I can have a little fun with. We have most classes together except science and gym, which of course are the classes I have with Drew. Drew is pretty rad he has some serious art skills. He has even promised to teach me on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Today was a slow morning. Those Mondays that everyone gets tired of. I make my way to science and grab a chair. Mr. Daniels is an amazing scientist. I love this class. “Today we do the chemical lab. Partner up.” I look right at Todd but he looked at Joey. I sigh. Luckily I have Drew in this class. He came and sat next to me. “Hey!” He smiles like a goof on purpose. “Hi.” I make myself sound strict. “Someone was hoping for a different partner.” I just make a loser face and put on my safety goggles. “Pass me the Zinc.” Drew nudges me, but I couldn’t pay attention because right across the room Todd is staring at me grinning that beautiful grin. I can’t help but stare back. I try not to break eye contact, but then Drew gets annoyed and I could tell Todd’s partner was too. I shove him the Zinc and we continue the lab. Does Todd like me? I mean he was just staring at me. As soon as class is over I clean up my table and Drew and I are talking about our art lesson tomorrow. I walk to the trash with Drew following behind. I stop at the trash and look up. “Hey Rachel. My mom told me to give this to you. Well to give to your mom.” I don’t know what to say Todd has me speechless. “Thanks.” I start for the door when Todd jumps in front of me. “Um actually there was also another reason I stopped you. I was just wondering,” Hold on is he doing what I think he is… “I mean you don’t have to, but I was going to ditch book club Saturday and go to this Halloween party. Would you like to come?” He scratched his head. Oh. My. Gosh. I don’t know what to say. It sounds like a date, but it could just be a hang out. But as long as it’s with him I don’t care! “Yeah, I’d love to.” I smile and walk out.

            Walking to lunch feels like heaven. Todd just asked me out and I am extremely hyped. Drew is like totally staring at me. “What?” I say trying to kill the awkwardness. “What’s up with you? Is this about Todd?” I quickly try to change the subject. “No! Not even. Speaking of which. What do you think of Emma?” Emma thinks Drew is so cute and I can see she really likes him.

“Emma? What?”  

“Stop acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“I really don’t.”

            “Do you like Emma?”

“Where is this coming from?”

“Nowhere. I’m just curious.”

“No need to be.”

“I think she likes you.”

“Oh.”

“Least you could do is give her a chance. Come to the Halloween party and ask Emma to go with you.”

“Sounds like a command. Besides she’s not my type.”

“What exactly is your type?”

We stop in the middle of the hall while Drew is looking up thinking of an excuse. “Please? I’ll do anything. I just know you guys will work out. She really likes you.” I keep pushing, more like annoying him. Some may say I have persistence. “Look. I just-.” I can’t hear any more so I put my finger to his mouth. His body tensed under my finger. What’s that about? “Please.” I flutter my eyelashes. “Ugh! I can’t say no to you.” I laugh and grab his arm so we can go to lunch.