Juliana

8. Better date than that non-date

I casually hung out by the lockers waiting for Juliana to get here. I grabbed my math book out of my locker, and I was shutting the door when Juliana walked up.

"Morning!" She smiled her usual smile.

Almost immediately, I noticed that she was wearing her glasses, no makeup, and sweatpants with a big sweatshirt.

Must be her time of the month...Prepare yourself for hormones like crazy, Robbie. I thought to myself. I was snapped out of my thoughts though when Juliana started talking again.

"So are you going to question me to death like you were last night? By the way, I knew you wouldn't die." She winked.

"Yeah." I crossed my arms and leaned against the locker. "Who was that guy?"

"Robbie," She sighed. "I don't know how many times I'm going to have to tell you this. I'm single. Like. Super single. There's no guy in my life that's at that level of significance."

"Then who was the joker that came and picked you up yesterday for some hoity toity restaurant downtown that required reservations."

"Ohhhhh...." She giggled a little. "That was my cousin, Alex. He was picking me up to take me to the family function."

"You're pranking me..." I said, crossing my arms.

"No. No, I'm not, Robbie. I'm being dead serious with you. That guy was my cousin. He was just picking me up to take me to my other cousin's birthday."

My eyebrows furrowed. "How many cousins do you exactly have?"

"Several." She smiled and took a deep breath. "They're pretty much the only family I have. My parents and brother might as well be dead."

My jaw dropped, but I quickly shut it. "Why do you say that?"

She just shook her head. "I don't wanna talk about it right now, Robbie. Okay?"

"Yeah. Of course. I'm here for ya, Juliana, if you ever wanna talk. Alright?"

"Thanks Robbie." She said before diving into my open arms.

I hadn't been expecting a hug, but hey, I'd take a hug from Blondie any day.

Yup. She's definitely hormonal. I thought to myself, breaking away from the hug.

***

"Jules!" I ran after her after school let out for the day. She was almost to where the car riders were picked up.

"Yes?" She spun around, her backpack hitting me in stomach.

"I was... um.. wondering if you'd be interested coming to the game on Friday to watch me play, and then, we could maybe uh grab some dinner afterwards?"

"Are you asking me out on a date?" She clutched a few binders closer to her chest.

"Yeah," I said.

"Sure." She nodded. "I'd like that."

"Good because I can guarantee it'll be a better date than that non-date of yours." I winked.

She laughed and shook her head. "I'm sure it will be."

I just smiled. Operation: Ask Juliana Out had been accomplished finally, and it was successful!