Linger

F I F T Y - F O U R

Fortunately there weren't any other senior meetings throughout the rest of the week. And between homework and studying and everything else, Daniel and I hadn't had much time.

Part of me felt awful for the way Kelsey and the other girls treated him during the senior meeting. 

But the other part of me knew it was nothing serious and was positive he knew that too. 

Friday couldn't come soon enough and when it did seemed as if the whole school came alive all of a sudden. Bright, colorful posters advertising the upcoming Prom lined the walls as the halls buzzed with excitement about who was going with who and who was wearing what. 

"Do you ever miss dance?" I wondered out loud as Tyler and I sat in the courtyard during break, watching Chelsea and Alice hang up more posters.

"Yeah, but I don't think it misses me." He sipped on his juice box.

I let out a laugh. "I think it does." 

"Hm." He rubbed his chin with a pensive look. "Maybe I should start dancing during games then, huh?" His green eyes danced with amusement as a goofy grin lit up his face. "Think Coach would like that?"

"I would! Then I'd definitely have to go to your games."

"You're coming to our games?" a new voice asked and we both turned to see Ben walking up to us. 

"Only if Tyler dances." I nodded to Tyler with a laugh and he nodded along, taking another sip from his juice box.

Ben gave us an odd look. "You should come though." He nodded, glancing at Chelsea and Alice. "All of you. We're really close to making the playoffs and could use all the support we could get." 

"Support for what?" Chelsea asked as she and Alice stepped up to us. 

"Our team!" Ben turned to them. "We're about to make the playoffs so if you guys can come out and support that would--" He stopped as Alice lifted her eyes to him. "Yeah, that would mean a lot." He inhaled deeply, nodding his head. 

"Perfect!" Chelsea exclaimed, nodding to Alice and me. "I've been trying to convince these two to go--"

"We'll go!" Alice burst out. "I-I mean, yeah. I'd really like to see you." She nodded at Ben before quickly shaking her head. "All--All of you. The whole team," she finished with a nervous laugh. 

"Yeah." Ben nodded at her, chuckling slightly as he scratched the back of his neck. "I'd like to see you there."

A small smile grew on her lips as heat rose to her cheeks. "I'd like to see you there too." Her blue eyes suddenly widened and she shook her head. "I--I mean, you'll be there, obviously." She rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Because you play and . . .yeah." She let out another laugh before grabbing my hand. "Come on. I need my locker."

I bit back my giggles as she led me out of the courtyard and into the hallway.

"Please do me a favor and pretend that never happened," she pleaded as we stepped inside, bringing her hands over her face. 

"Pretend he didn't just ask you to go his game?" I raised my eyebrows at her. 

"He didn't ask only me." She lifted her head with a huff and stepped up to her locker. 

"He didn't take his eyes off of you once." 

"He was making eye contact. It's polite." She nodded, opening her locker. 

"You were both blushing." 

She gasped, bringing her hand to her cheek. "Was I?"

"He was. He likes you," I told her with a smile.