The Valentine Dance

Chapter 3

January 20

It's been two weeks since my friends broke up. They were together for three weeks which, luckily, I didn't have to see the most of because of Christmas break. Tristan explained himself to me, saying that he was simply trying to see from my point of view on her but it grew awkward for him because he viewed her like a sister. November told me that he wasn't the guy she was looking for. I know I should've felt for her but I couldn't help being pleased by all this.

I still had a chance.

November and I were sitting at one of the picnic tables at the park waiting on Tristan, Nightingale and a friend of hers that she wanted us to meet.

Even though they had dated, nothing seemed to be awkward between them, which I think is a good thing. I don't know what I'd do if my two best friends were weird around each other.

Like I said, we were still waiting on our friends to arrive. November had invited them along but they were about 15 minutes late.

"Are you sure they're coming?" I asked for the 10th time.

"Yes, I'm sure they got my message" November replied calmly.

"Are you sure? I feel like I should call them..." I started to reach for my phone,

"No no it's fine" November said, putting her hand on me "You don't need to"

That simple gesture sent a shock up through my arm. She didn't seem to notice though and began looking around. She seemed to be growing more impatient as well.

"Hey" She said suddenly "What about that girl you mentioned to me? Your crush? How's she?"

"Uh," I started feeling warm, "She's good"

"Oh good" November said, nodding, "When were you going to ask her to the dance? We don't have much time left you know.."

"Oh I," I chuckled nervously, "I don't know I kinda forgot about all that" No I hadn't. I'd just been too nervous to do anything. Also I didn't want to seem too soon, like I had been waiting for them to break up.

"Well will you at least tell me who it is? Please?" She started giving me her infamous puppydog eyes. She'd perfected this look over the years and I was still as affected by it as when we were kids.

"Ah, well.." I began, "Well you see -'

"Hey twerp, I think we have a score to settle"

I jumped and twisted around. Aaron. He was joined only by Mason, which was a good thing. Had he brought more I'd be sure to be dead. Then again, Aaron didn't need anyone else to pummel me to death. I guessed that he and Lauren had broken up, given by her absence. Normally when they dated, she'd seldom leave his side. Key phrase 'Normally when they dated'. They had a history of breaking up and getting together that started back in freshman year.

I opened my mouth to say something but November moved from behind me and got in his face.

"You'd think after five weeks you'd stop caring but no. You can't just let of of the fact that Oliver got the best of you that day in the cafeteria" Woah, what?

She moved to hit him but he caught her arm. "Sorry, sweetie, but it's not you I want" He threw her at Mason, who held onto her tightly.

"Let me GO!" She yelled, trying to fight her way out of his grasp. But Mason was a football player, and far stronger than her.

"Let her go!" I found myself standing in front of Aaron. No way I was going to sit around and let them hurt her.

"Aw look, the little twerp is getting protective of his girlfriend" He said mockingly.