Subtle and Sweet

chap 3, the crush

Bianca's P.O.V.

After the game ended, the marchers got back on the bus. I was mostly silent on the way back. I was lost in thought about the night's events.

When we got back to the school, everybody gathered up their uniforms and got in line to return them to the closet. I had lost sight of Mara, Lacey and Kaitlyn, so I was standing in line by myself.

I got a text from my dad saying that he was waiting for me in the parking lot. Thankful for a distraction, I texted him back telling him I'd be out in a couple of minutes.

I put away my phone and I nearly froze. Great, Hayden was in front of me in line. I silently started praying that he wouldn't turn around.

"Hey Bianca," Hayden said, turning around. I inwardly groaned. My luck was cursed.

"Hi Hayden," I smiled weakly.

"Listen, I just wanted to ask you..." he trailed off. I nodded, signaling for him to continue. "How do you like Chaplin Falls?" Hayden brought his hand up to his hair and he bit his lip.

"It's great actually. People are way more nicer here than they were at North Fairwood. The education is a million times greater," I exclaimed, laughing. Now, I spoke more softly, "And I have the best friends in the world."

Hayden blushed deep red and he gazed into my eyes deeply. That caused my face to go red.

"Well," he said clearing his throat. By this time, it was his turn to return his uniform. "That's really great Bee." He handed his uniform to our band mom, reciting his number. "You'll text me, right?"

"I don't know your-" I started.

"DM me," he smiled. "Night Bee."

As I handed in my uniform, the band mom winked and I smiled so hard, my face hurt. My heart started exploding with happiness. Hayden Hepart was going to text me. And he had a nickname for me.

I wanted to tell Kaitlyn everything, but I knew she wouldn't approve, and neither would Kacey. So I searched for Nolan.

"Nolan," I exclaimed, squealing. "I think I have a crush on someone. Because he's really cute and he have a nickname for me and we're going to text tonight and we were talking at the football game and he's really really really sweet and-"

"Woah sister, slow down," Nolan laughed. Then he stopped. "Oh my god, it's Hayden Hepart, isn't it?"

I nodded and Nolan proceeded to run around the band room screeching "SHIP" and "OTP" while I sat giggling in a chair.

"So," Nolan said breathlessly after his little rampage. Plopping down on the chair next to me, he asked, "Are you going to ask him out?"

"Wha-I, me, ask someone out? No way. I don't have the courage to do it. And besides, he'd probably reject me," I stammered, blushing.

"Bianca," Nolan rolled his eyes. "It's obvious he likes you. The nickname, the texting, the shoulder incident..."

Yes, I had told him about the shoulder incident. I was dying to tell someone and right now, Nolan was the only one I could trust.

"You think?" I asked nervously.

"I know," Nolan smiled, patting me on the back. "Nice talk Bianca. See ya on Monday!"

"Bye," I called as he walked out the door, baritone in hand. "Text you later!"

Picking up my trombone, I walked to the door and smiled. Maybe Hayden Hepart did have a crush on me.

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