Dream Boy

Chapter Thirteen

It has been a month since Evan asked Christine out, and they seem to be the "it" couple, if you know what I mean. Everyone is obsessed with them, and they are "so cute," and "perfect for each other." Also, no one else had gotten asked out in the last few weeks, so they still stand in the spotlight.

Talking about boyfriends in February is never a good idea though, because I always get really sad. I've been single for every single Valentine's Day I've lived through. And it looks like I will be again. I mean, I think I kind of have Christian, I guess, but he still hasn't made an official move. After that one date, we haven't gone out again. Sure, he still sits with me at lunch, walks with me to and from my locker, and occasionally steals, a kiss, but something seems different. Like he is hiding something, or is unsure about something. I am just too awkward, and frankly too unconcerned to ask. It's high school. Casual dating is normal, right?

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, so I have to go over to Taylor's house and help her get ready for her date with Harrison. She wants me to help her pick out an outfit for school, and then an outfit for dinner and a movie afterwards. This is a big deal for both of us--one of us has a boyfriend for forever alone day! It is no longer forever alone day, at least for her.

"Come on Sarah, really. The pink dress or the red dress. I want to look cute but casual for school, so I need you to help me decide!" I am staring at my phone, trying to decipher a message Christian has sent me.
"Um, the pink one. Wear red at night, it's fancier." I look back down at my phone, confusion spread across my face.
"What is it Sarah?" I look up. "What is so darn important on that phone of yours that you can't put it down for ten minutes and help me?" She comes over to the bed and flops down next to me. I sigh.
"Well, Christian texted me. And--"
"You don't understand what it means, right?" I shoot her a how did you know look. "Boys are like that. I'm slowly starting to figure Hare-Bear out." Yup. She nicknamed Harrison Hare-Bear.
"Well, it says 'hey Sarah, can't wait for lunch tomorrow. You are going to be there, right?'"
"Why is that so confusing, he just wants to make sure you are at lunch--no way. NO WAY!"
"What? What 'no way?'"
"HE'S GOING TO ASK YOU TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND!"  I drop my phone and stare at her.
"Well then, I think we need to pick out my outfit."

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My alarm goes off at its usual time: too early to get up, but too late to go back to sleep and still make it to school. I sit up, my eyes half open, praying for a miracle like a two-hour delay. Then I remember the text message, and spring up. I run to my bathroom and jump in the shower (I know--I'm breaking my "night showers are better" rule). I wash my hair and body, leaving the bathroom smelling like a rose garden. I run to my room and slide on my black polka dot tights, and then my red skater skirt. I pull on a long sleeved, thin grey top over my only black bra, grey leg warmers, and a black cable knit scarf. I grab my black combat boots out of the closet, ready for the day.

Well, almost. I run downstairs and eat a quick breakfast before hustling back up the stairs to do hair and makeup. My hair is down to my shoulders now, and back to its natural brown color, so I pull it up into a topknot and curl the pieces that fall around my face. I mix some concealer with my daily face cream and applied it to my face, a trick I learned from the hours I spend on YouTube. I attempt a grey smokey eye, and it turns out alright. I somehow manage to do winged eyeliner, don't ask--I don't know how I did it either. I put on some light pink lipstick, not wanting to be too dramatic, and scramble to apply mascara so I won't be late to school.

I run out the door to my car, hurriedly thanking my mom for her compliments on my outfit (thank goodness I don't have gym class today) and slide into my car. I check one last time to make sure I have everything, and then slump against the seat, catching my breath.

What if Taylor is wrong? What if he isn't going to ask me out, and just has something to give me or something? But he could just give me something in English class.

I continue running thoughts like this through my head as I drive to school, contradicting my own decision that high school relationships are merely casual and are not meant to last. By the time I arrive at school, I am mentally drained. That is not a good way to start the school day.

"OMG! SARAH! You look A-mazing." Taylor runs up to me, forcing me to twirl for her so she can take in my whole outfit.
"You don't look too shabby yourself." We both smile  and hold in squeals.
"I'm so excited for lunch. I wonder what he is going to do! It's going to be great."
"Okay, Taylor. Whatever you say. I'm trusting you on this one."
"Believe me, I know boys."
"Uh-huh."

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"Sarah, you look stunning! I didn't get a chance to tell you in English." I feel hands on my waist and then am spun around to face the man of the day, Christian.
"Wow, I could get used to all these compliments. Thank you, I actually tried to look decent today."
"What do you mean? You look good everyday."
"Wow, thanks for that. But I mean, I wear sweatpants every other day for gym."
"You look cute all sporty like that."
"Okay, whatever makes you happy."
"You do Sarah, you do." I blush and look down at my feet.
"You make me happy too."

We walk hand in hand to lunch and follow our regular routine: he walks to the lunch line, and I head with my lunch bag to the table. But today, something seems a little different. He is way more talkative on the walk to the cafeteria and seems nervous about something. If Taylor's assumptions are right, then I know what he is nervous about.

I sit down at the table and engage in a conversation with Taylor when suddenly, the cafeteria goes silent. I turn around, and there is Christian, standing on top of a table, holding a pillow with something on it. I look closer and realize that it is the shoe he stole from me over winter break! I bring my hands to my face, trying not to laugh, or cry, at the fact that he had kept my shoe just for this moment.

"Sarah Lucas, I know you love to read. And I also know that you love fairytales. So, if the shoe fits, will you be my Cinderella?" I start laughing and crying at the same time. Damn hormones.

He walks over to me, slides off my boot, and slide my heel on.

"Well, would you look at that. The shoe fits. Sarah, will you be my girlfriend?" I nod my head up and down and jump up into his arms.

"Christian, that was the cutest thing ever. You've kept my shoe all this time?" I look down at my foot. "Wow. It sure looks good with grey leg warmers." I look up at him and he smiles. It's like the whole cafeteria has disappeared.

"You look beautiful, no matter what you're wearing, Princess." I look into his eyes, and he leans down to me, his lips meeting mine. I hear Taylor whisper to Harrison "I knew it," and I laugh through the kiss. I am no longer forever alone.

As I hug Christian, I look over his shoulder, and see Evan slipping out of the cafeteria.