No Love Songs For Shay

One Shot

Chapter 2

One Shot

Shay and Maya walked into school just as the bell was ringing.

"I need to see Brendan. Like, now."

"No, we need to get to class, like, now. Okay?"

"You're such a party-pooper," Maya grumbles.

Shay laughs and pushes her along down the hallway to English.

Maya runs over to Emily to tell her about Brendan, and Shay takes the only seat available:

Right next to dorky Joey Mitchell.

Joey looks up at Shay and gives a pleased smile.

"Hi, Shay."

"Hey Joey."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. You?"

"I'm great," Joey says, halting as if to say something more.

"You okay?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm-- fine," Joey stammers, getting lost in Shay' s eyes.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, um... Yeah. I'm fine."

"alright," Shay says slowly, turning to look at the teacher, Mr.Fosse.

"Alright class, this week we'll be taking up Spivak's The Sound And The Fury. Please find a partner."

Shay darts her eyes across the room to Maya, who gives her an apologetic glance as she pairs up with Emily. Looking desperately around the room, her eyes finally meet Joey's.

"Wanna be partners?" whispers Joey.

"....Sure," replies Shay with a heavy sigh. "This can't be so bad," she thinks, sliding her desk closer to Joey's.

As Mr.Fosse passes around the books to each pair, Joey looks at Shay and smiles.

"I'm really glad we're partners, Shay."

Shay glances at him, and can't help but smile.

"Me too, Joey."

Joey turns beet red.

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At the end of class, Shay runs to go meet up with Maya and Emily, but Joey pulls her back.

"Hey Shay, one last thing..."

"Yeah, Joey?"

"Look I was wondering if maybe..." Joey stutters, "Maybe you'd like to go out sometime? If you don't, like, have a boyfriend. I mean, uh, you probably do. But just in case."

Shay looks at Joey. Is this really happening? Is she finally getting asked out? WAIT-- this is Joey. Awkward Joey. Dorky, clumsy Joey.

Shay looks him up and down. Tall and lanky, dark hair and light blue eyes. They're quite nice really, when you can see past his long hair.

Shay snaps back into focus. Is it worth it? Is Joey worth it? "Practice," Shay thinks to herself. "He'd be good practice."

She makes her decision.

"Yeah Joey, that'd be great."

Joey's eyes widen.

"Wait, really? You're serious?"

"Yeah," Shay assures, scribbling onto a piece of notebook paper.

"Here's my number. Call me later, alright?"

Joey takes the paper, a little shakily.

"Um, yeah, um, yes. I will. I will call you. Man. I didn't think I'd get this far. Whew. Okay."

Shay laughs nervously.

"Okay Joey, I've gotta get going. Talk to you soon."

Shay smiles and walks away leaving a wide mouthed Joey.

Running over to her friends she yells:

"It happened!"