Dancing, Love, and tutoring?

Chapter 6

                Almost two weeks have gone by since I was Asher’s apartment. I never hear from him or see him in the halls anymore.  My schedule has reverted back to normal with dancing being the first class. I’ve become absorbed into my practices and school work. I barely even see Icy anymore. Ashton has become a regular face everywhere I go.  I see him during practice, lunch, my last two classes, and even at my house having dinner with my parents and I. It’s like the old days again when we were together. Inseparable.  My mom questions why Ashton and I broke up in the first place. Sometimes, I question it too. Sure he would become controlling and almost violent when we use to date, but I feel like he has changed. He has become a lot more comforting and compassionate, like when we first started dating. Without Asher, Ashton has become the only boy I talk to. The only boy I think I like more than a friend, but in the back of my mind, a little voice is telling me that I don’t really like Ashton. I ignore the voice.

                After spring break, posters advertising prom have been plastered on every wall around the school. Prom is a big event for the seniors, since it’s the last hoorah before graduation. Girls start dress shopping when tickets go on sale and hair appointments have been booked months earlier. Guys are saving their money for limo rentals and are probably stocking up on condoms for the night, hoping to get lucky. As for me, prom isn’t a very big deal in my eyes. I hate getting dressed up and standing around in a hot, stuffy gym with sweaty, hormonal teens. Personally, I rather be working on my dance routine than go to prom. But if someone asked me, I suppose I would go. I mean after all, its prom.

                At lunch, I poke my spaghetti with a plastic fork as a squealing Icy comes skipping to the table, a huge smile plastered on her face.

                “Oh my god, Lydie! You’ll never guess who just asked me to prom!!!!!” shrieks Icy, practically hopping up and down.

                Trying to be a good friend , no matter how much I don’t really care, I look up at her smiling face and with fake excitement ask “Who?!”

                Clearly too excited, Icy ignores my fake cheerfulness and says “Danny Blakely from Art! He is SO attractive!”

                I smile up at her, genuinely happy for her. She has liked Danny since sophomore year and I had a feeling he liked her back by the way he’d look at her with love in his eyes.

                “That’s great, Icy. I’m so happy for you.” I excitedly say.

Icy starts gushing over how Danny came up to her at the beginning of second period with a bouquet of roses and a beautifully drawn sign saying “Will you go to prom with me?” on it.

 On the outside, I was smiling and acting very happy for Icy, but on the inside felt a pang of jealousy. I could never be jealous of Icy, my dear best friend, but I was jealous that no one asked me. I mean, sure I don’t like dances, but it’s still nice to be invited.

Icy finally calms down enough to notice that I was unhappy. She obviously felt bad for bragging by the way her smile had faded into a frown.

                “Oh Lydie, I’m sorry I’m like totally rubbing this in your face. I’m just excited because I really like Danny.” apologizes Icy, looking away from me.

“Oh no, it’s okay Icy. Really. I am very happy for you. I’m just being a jelly-jenny because no one asked me. I’m sorry for making you feel bad.” I apologize, feeling bad for being jealous.

Icy sighs and wraps her arm around me, giving me a quick embrace. “Don’t worry, Lydia. Someone is bound to ask you. Like Asher.” Icy says comfortingly.

My eyes widen at her last words. “Asher?! Are you kidding me? We haven’t talked in weeks and I’m pretty sure he hates me for practically bailing on him! I don’t even like him like that!” I yell loudly, mentally slapping myself for lying when I said I didn’t like Asher more than a friend.

I’m not in love with Asher, but the day he brought me to his apartment, my attraction for him grew to a small crush. However, my heart is blinded by my feelings for Ashton. I’m just so confused at the moment.

Icy gives me her “you’re obviously lying” look and says,” Oh come on, Lydia! Wake up and smell the romance in the air. You so have a crush on Asher. I see the way he looks at you and it’s clear that he likes you back. More than likes. Loves even. You just can’t see it because you’re so wound up with Ashton.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Icy actually thinks Asher. Asher Moore. Likes…no loves me? Lydia Cooper? Give me a break. Asher and I are friends. That’s all we will ever be, no matter how much a small part of me wishes we could be more. I like Ashton. I love Ashton and he loves me. He tells me all the time even though we aren’t together. But he wants us to be. And so do I. Or….do I?