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09: Let's Go To Pumpkin Hollow

Amazing cover by @0Pseudonym0 !

09: Let's Go To Pumpkin Hollow

When I saw Selena on Monday, I wasn't met with a greeting or a smile, or even a wave. I was met with a shriek and a little jump. She bounced over to me like a bird and I regarded her warily.

"There's a dance on Friday," she announced in excitement.

"Okay?" I said with a frown.

"Okay, so you'll be coming to my house to get ready on Friday," she elaborated.

"I don't remember agreeing," I said.

"I know. I'm making you. Get over it," she said flatly. I sighed and a grin replaced her expressionless face. "It's formal."

"Why are we having a dance?"

"Who knows? This dance happens every year for high school. We have a lot of dances. After this one will be the Snow Ball. Get it? Like a snowball that you'd throw? It's like our winter formal. I think this one is, like, our Dance of Fall or whatever they call it these days," she explained.

"Oh," I said. "Why do I have to go?"

"Because Emmett might ask you to go with him," she said flatly. "Wait, didn't you come here last year? How do you not know about these?"

"I wasn't there for these. Just for some Spring Formal and a homecoming for basketball," I explained. "And no. Emmett will not ask me. We are just friends."

"That's what they all say," she shrugged smugly.

"Why can't people understand that a girl and a guy can be friends without it being something more? I thought we were past the sixth grade," I growled irritably.

Selena laughed and shook her head. "You are. I'm not. You're going. I'll talk to Emmett."

"No, you won't," I said quickly. "Why would you do that?"

"Because," she sang as she walked off happily. I glared after her and shook my head. Sighing, I decided I ought to go to math. There was a test the next day, so today would be a "study day." Mrs. Bradshaw was so laid back, I didn't even know what to do.

My other teachers were basically in the middle of a lesson when they decided to give us the tests about the whole thing.

On my way to my desk, I felt my foot get hooked on the loop of Jacob's bag and I went down. A small shriek came out of my mouth before I put my hands in front of me and caught myself. A few people laughed and others asked if I was okay. I blushed and made my way back to my seat, but not before catching a small smirk from Jacob.

After my morning classes, I walked wearily to the cafeteria. The day was already tiring me out and it was only halfway over. Emmett dropped his tray next to mine.

"I thought we ate in the courtyard, now," he said first, skipping the greeting.

"I like you keep you on your toes," I shrugged, taking out my phone. He laughed sarcastically and began chomping down on his sandwich.

"I forgot there was a stupid dance on Friday," he growled. "I'd already planned on having a party. Selena came at me today all excited about it."

"Selena talked to you?" I asked with wide eyes. "What did she say?"

"Something about a horse. I don't know. I couldn't hear over her squealing," he said, letting out a breath. "That girl is something else."

"Sure is," I said.

"Hey, after school, do you want to do something different?"

"You mean skip work? Love to, but I can't—"