Mina's POV:
I'm actually going to fail. If it wasn't for stupid Mrs. Carry, JESUS SHE'S SO STUPID. Like, I clearly didn't cheat, I got a 60 for god's sake. WHY WOULD I CHEAT AND THEN FAIL that literally makes no sense. Whatever, I don't even care anymore.
The first bell of the day rings and I move faster, shoving my backpack into my locker and scrambling to get some of the books I need and running to home room. I slam my locker in a hurry, books and papers falling over my arms as I slip into class unnoticed. The teacher has just begun attendance.
I take the time to organize my belongings and go through any unread texts. I'm surprised when I see 2 from Joe.
Hey Mina! Do you think you could meet me by the bathrooms during lunch?
Oh, and bring your science notes please (if you don't mind :))
My heart skips a beat. Why does he want to meet with me? It must be pretty important if he doesn't want to just tell me at our lockers or something. A little part of me hopes it's to ask me to the dance, but I really don't want to get my hopes up.
The next 2 periods fly by and before I know it, the bell is screaming and I'm being swept away by hundreds of my hungry classmates. I merge left and make my way to my locker. My heart is beating rapidly as I gather my lunch money and science notes. I slam my locker at walk briskly with the crowd. I begin searching for Joe as soon as I pass the busy lunch room.
I spot him a little farther down the hallway by the bathroom and quicken my steps. I can feel my face turning red already when he smiles at me and waves a little. I give him a small smile and make my way over there.
"Hey! You got my text!" he says brightly.
"Hey," I reply, suddenly nervous. "I brought my notes."
"Oh okay, thanks! Yeah I wasn't there when we got them and I need them for the test at the end of the week." I nod as I pull out my notebook. I hand it to him and he mutters a small thanks that is taken away in the noise from the lunchroom.
I stand awkwardly as he sits down against the wall and begins copying the notes.
"Didn't you say there was something else you wanted to tell me?" I bring up, trying to be casual.
"Mmhmm, one second," he replies. He bites his lip slightly as he concentrates and my breath falters slightly.
"Ok, yeah," he starts, putting his own notebook away and handing me mine. "You can sit down if you want, too," he laughs. I giggle nervously and slide down the wall, tucking my skirt underneath me. He sighs and avoids eye contact, making me squirm.
"So I was wondering, do you want to go to dance with me next week?" He looks at me with those big doe eyes and my throat closes up. I struggle to respond and cough awkwardly instead. "Are, uh, are you okay?" he asks, looking concerned. I nod, and fight to regain my composer.
"Yeah, I'm good," I reply, still feeling like I'm about to choke. "And I would really like to. Go to the dance, I mean." His face lights up and it makes me want to smile for some reason. There's a brief awkward silence.
"As friends, of course," he stutters.
My heart sinks.
"Oh, yeah. Of course," I reply, the smile falling off of my face. I stand up quickly after. "I'll see you around," I say over my shoulder as I walk towards the lunchroom. I can hear him mutter something from behind me, but I continue walking.
