High School Sweethearts? •JAMES HINCHCLIFFE & SHARNA BURGESS•

[three] it's official!

"Conor told you?" I ask, looking at her. "but why would he do that?"

"I have no idea" she replies. "but I find it cute that you have a small crush on me."

"uh, yeah sure. a small crush.." I mumble under my breath.

"James, don't be mad at Conor.. be mad at me. I was curious as to why you weren't yourself this morning so Conor told me why."

"oh" I reply, scratching the back of my neck. "about that. I can't help myself when I'm around you. I just.. I don't know. I guess I fall apart when I'm around you."

"James, that is the cutest thing ever" she giggle softly. "but you wanna know a secret?" she asks, looking at me.

I look at her, raising an eyebrow softly as I eat a couple more fries from the basket on the table.

"sure?" I reply in more of a question.

"it's a good one, I promise" she replies, smiling. she then grabs my hand, holding it in hers as she looks at me. "James, I've basically liked you since we first met last year. I didn't want to say anything about it because I was terrified it would ruin our friendship if you didn't feel the same way. but now that I know you do.."

I blink a couple of times as I look at her, trying to take in everything she just said then smile softly.

"y-you like me back?" I ask, stuttering my words a bit.

"mhmm" she replied, squeezing my hand softly. "and it's because I love your personality and the person you're becoming, James. I don't love you because of the fame you have from being a race car driver. I love you because you're a dork and a nerd and I don't know. you're just so perfect to me."

"Sharna.." I reply, giggling softly. "you honestly have no idea how happy that makes me to hear you say that. I'm so beyond happy that you like me back. but I don't know if I'm ready for a serious relationship.. Val would kill me if he found out and I would like to stay alive if I'm going to date the girl of my dreams"

"I'll take care of Val if I need to.. as for right now, don't worry about him. I'm all yours, James. I can promise you that. I won't let anyone come in the way of us."

"wait" I reply, looking at her. "does that mean..?"

she giggles softly then nods her head softly. "yes, James. I'd love to go out with you"

•••
an hour later, Sharna and I arrive at school, realizing that lunch is pretty much over. I sigh softly then grab her hands in mine as I look down at my feet.

"hey" she replies, lifting my chin up with her fingers. "what's wrong?"

"nothing" I reply, looking at her. "it's just.. we barely have any classes together now that you've dropped advanced chemistry."

"I know but hey. we still have three out of five classes together. I'll see you when you're done class. I promise."

"okay." I reply, smiling softly.

she giggles softly then leans up to kiss my cheek softly. "now, stop being a debby downer and get to class. I'll be waiting outside when the bell rings then we can walk to English together."

I smile softly then nod my head. "okay, Burgess. whatever you say"

"hey. be careful when you use that last name of mine, Hinchcliffe."

I roll my eyes playfully, letting go of her hands as I make my way into the school.

"yeah yeah." I reply, causing her to giggle. I make my way to my locker just as the warning bell rings, smiling softly to myself as I open my locker door just as Josef and Conor appear next to me.

"so" Conor replies. "how was your lunch date?"

"spill the tea dude" Josef replies. I chuckle softly then look at Josef.

"really dude?" I ask. "spill the tea?"

"what?" he asks. "it's my new catch phrase."

"uh" Conor replies. "that's what Sharna says."

"exactly" I reply. "don't steal my girls words."

Josef gasps playfully then hits my arm softly. "dude! are you two dating?"

"okay first, OW!" I reply, glaring at him as I rub my arm. "and second, yes.. we're dating. she admitted to liking me when we were eating so she said yes to being my girlfriend without me even asking. which makes me happy because I was going to do something romantic to ask her but I'll save that for Friday."

"Oooo. whats going on Friday?" Josef asks. Conor punches his arm, causing Josef to wince in pain.

"Ow!!"

"well.." Conor replies. "don't ask him about his love life. you don't have one so."

"ouch" I smirk softly. "it's okay Josef. you still have Cindy."

Conor laughs softly. "James, you do realize that he doesn't like Cindy, right?"

"oh come on. you and Cindy have been friends since like the third grade. you two kissed on the playground"

"it was a dare!" Josef complains.

"true but you didn't stop it from happening.."

"unless.." Conor replies, smirking softly.

"unless what?" Josef asks.

"no." I reply, closing my locker door then look at Josef. "do you.."

"do i what?" Josef asks.

"like guys?" Conor asks.

"what?" Josef asks, confused. "I don't like guys."

"I think he does, James." Conor replies, giggling. "I think someone has a crush on you."

"uh, imma just walk to class now" I reply, walking away. I shake my head softly as I walk into class, heading to the back of the room. does Josef actually like guys? and if he does, does he have a slight crush on me? nah, Josef's my best friend. he would've told me if he did.. wouldn't he?