Falling for The Wrong Brother

Chapter 7: The Wrong Brother

The first week of school passed by. I hang out with Jake most evenings. He took me out to dinner one night, bowling another, and one evening we spent dancing in the moonlight again. We were officially dating.

It was the most romantic week of my entire life. But in all the Jake and I were together, he never asked me to the dance. I wondered if he just assumed that we would go as a couple now that we were spending so much time together.

Several guys had asked me if I would go with them, and I turned them all down. By the time Friday rolled out, I was wondering if I had made a mistake. If Jake would not ask me then I would be stuck without a date.

I was starting to panic. Could Jake really ask someone else to the dance after he and I spent practically every evening in each other’s arms?

Lunch break came.  The seniors had a different lunch period than the juniors, so I was surprised to see Jake there.

The noise in the cafeteria dropped as he made his way toward me and draped his arm around so casually at the back of my chair. I could feel everyone’s gaze on me.

“I know it’s late to be asking.” He started, “but I was hoping that you would go to the dance with me tomorrow night.”

I almost blurted out ‘yes’ before I remembered that my plan called for me to be more aloof. Jacke shouldn’t have waited till the day before the dance to ask me.

“I don’t know, several guys have already asked me …”

I watched as Jake’s fell into a gloomy frown.

“But I turned them all down…”

Jake smiled, and I decided to continue the game one step further.

“I turned them down because Cynn and I plan to see this awesome movie…”

Jake frowned again, he looked disappointed.

Then I felt a sharp pain in my shin. Cynn kicked me under the table.

“But I guess we can go another night, right Cynn?” I asked her with a smile and she nodded.

“Does that mean you’ll go with me.” He broke into a wide grin.

“Yes.”

“Cool. I’ll pick you up at eight tomorrow.” He stood up and jogged out of the cafeteria. About a hundred pairs of eyes following him.

I was rummaging my closet for the dress I am going to wear to the dance when my phone rang. I waited till the third ring to pick up.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hi Dana, this is Jake.”

“Hi Jake.” I said as if I always got calls from  gorgeous guys.

“I, uh can’t pick you up,” Jake said slowly. “I’m really sorry but I sprained my ankle playing football and I have to get it treated. I’ll meet you at the dance, okay?” Zach will pick you up and drive you there for me.”

“He doesn’t have to do that. I can get a ride with Cynn.”

“No really, I feel terrible. Please let Zach take you. He’ll keep you company till I arrive. Besides I don’t want you getting swept off by your feet by another guy before I get there.”

“But doesn’t Zach have a date?” I asked.

“Are you kidding? Zach dating?” Jake laughed.

I could think of a bunch of girls who would have gone to the dance with Zach if he’d asked them.

“Okay, what do you think?” Cynn asked parading around the room a few hours later. We had done our hair and makeup.

“You look absolutely fantastic.” I assured her.

“So do you.”

I was wearing a deep red silk thick strapped dress that is fitted perfectly to my figure. It ends a little past her knee. It’s sexy but not too much. I had on a pair of black peep toe sling backs with a five inch heel. My hair was hanging in loose sexy curls.

We were getting our purse when we heard the honk of Zach’s pick-up truck. It was eight o’clock on the dot.

We quickly got down the stairs. My Dad opened the door to find Zach standing there, holding a single long- stemmed yellow rose. That was my favorite color of roses. I remember telling him that.

Zach was wearing a tight white shirt with a few buttons undone and a black pair of jeans, his hair styled in a messy look. And oh my! He looked great.

I stopped and stared holding my breath.

“Oh Dana,” Cynn said from behind me. “I think you’ve got a thing for the wrong brother.” She whispered. “How come, you’re looking at Jake when you have Zach right in front of you all along.”