The Boy I Fell For, Literally

Chapter 7

Prom is coming up in two weeks! It's been exactly one whole year and I'm gonna get Alexander a whole-year-together-anniversary present.

I get ready extra early and go to the sport store before Alexander comes and gets me. I go down the opposite side of the hill to where all the shops and malls are. I stop by several stores before finding one that actually has some skateboards. I go up and down the aisles- pink skateboards, green ones, skull faced ones, boring black ones. Then, Right there like a glowing, golden statue, is a gorgeous white skateboard with clearish, neon blue wheels.

I check the price tag. $120 and my purse, pulling out a hundred dollars.I rummage through my purse to see if I have anything else.

"Man!" I say out loud.

"Hello, 'mam do you need help finding anything?"says one of those obnoxious staff people who don't know what to do with themselves.

"Oh-uh, no, thanks though."

"Ok, have a nice day!"

"You too." I turn around and walk away towards the door. I get outside and check my watch. "Shoot!" It's 7:50. He's been waiting for me for ten minutes! He's gonna know somethin's up. I rush up the hill, wind roaring in my ears', heart pounding. I get inside the house through the back door and comb my hair once more and put some perfume on.

I grab my backpack and rush out the door. Alex is sitting in our bench swing. "I'm so sorry Alex!! I woke up late and-"

"It's okay Ash, it happens sometimes..I've never seen you so rattled by being late though."

"Ya, ya, ya, I'm really sorry- I was just in such a rush and-"

"-I told you Ash, It's O.K."

"Ok, ya, ya, let's go."

"RIGHT." he said, pointing the way to school with two fingers.

We got on our skateboards and went to school. We didn't feel like racing.

In class I could barely relax, with Alex glancing over at me every few minutes-throwing me questioning looks. The bell rung for lunch-finally. I practically jogged out the room trying to get away from Alex. "Hey Ashley, wait up!" It was Alex. He came up and walked right next to me. "Yes?"

"Well. I couldn't help noticing that you seemed pretty nervous during class."

"Ya, well, if you could stop glancing over at me like I'm a suspect of a murder twelve million times, maybe I might not be so nervous!"

"Ok. I'll try to stop doing that."

"Thanks. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm buying lunch today and the line's getting long."

"Oh, sorry." I left him standing in the middle of the cafeteria trying to figuring out where to sit. I was crushed. I wanted to be with him more than anything! Yet here I was, trying to get the point across that I'm too busy with school to be with him today.

It's the end of the day and I'm running out of excuses. He keeps finding a way to be with me.

"Hey Ash," Alex said, "I don't know what's goin' on with you, but all day you've been quite jittery around me. Whatever it is-please, let's work through it together."

"I'm fine-really Alex. Just, please. I have a lot of homework to do, and if I don't get this report done on time I'm gonna have to do this- " he cut me off.

"-Ashley. It's okay, why didn't you tell me before though?"

"You know what, you're right. I should've told you sooner. I'm sorry. See you tomorrow though, k?"

"Ya, but-"

"See you tomorrow honey, love you! Bye!" I turned around to get on my skateboard and raced up the hill before he had a chance to say bye in return. I felt horrible! Who knew buying a gift for someone you spend every second with could be so hard! Now I just sound like an idiot.

I dropped my skateboard on the porch and ran inside to get some more money. I came back out a second later with thirty dollars in hand. I raced down the hill on my skateboard and ran into the sports store. "Finally!" I said to myself, a little out of breath. I jogged to the isle with the perfect skateboard for Alex. When I got there I saw an empty spot where it used to be. I panicked, searching for one of those annoying staff people. Why can't you ever find a staff when you need them? Finally, I spotted one. The same person from this morning. "Um, sir? I REALLY need your help. What happened to the white skateboard with the neon blue wheels?"

"Oh, ya. I bought it."

"WHAT!?"

"Woah, ma'am. We have more in the back." I calmed down and felt less panicky

"Oh, THANK GOODNESS!"

"Not to seem too nosy, but-uh, you seemed real attached to that skateboard.."

"Ya, I know. I'm sorry. It's just the most perfect gift for my boyfriend and it took me forever to figure out a way to get him away from me!"

"O.K. I'll go get that skateboard then." and he walked off to the storage room. I was so relieved, I was still in shock from him saying he bought the thing-I swear my head was screaming Hallelujah!

    He came out a minute later with the beauty in his hand. "Here ya go ma'am. Did you need anything else?" again with the annoying acting! "No, thank you." I took the skateboard and went to go pay for it. "That'll be 125.87!" the lady said behind the counter. I handed her the money and the skateboard was finally mine! I ran out the door and rode my own skateboard home-the white one tucked safely underneath my arm. I was grinning like an idiot the whole way.