The Last Page

Chapter 7.5- Awkward Dates

California, 9 months earlier.

Anthony walked alone to the cafeteria after arguing with the Student Council secretary. It hadn’t been the first time they argued, but each time she just wanted to go a step further, just to get under Anthony’s skin and make him angry. Anthony entered the cafeteria, he glanced to the right to see if anyone was sitting at his group's table. Only Bethany sat there, she ate an apple as she read a book. Anthony took a seat, he looked out as he saw the cafeteria slowly fill in with more students.  “You ever think about the way others see you?” Bethany asked Anthony and remained silent as she waited for Anthony to respond.

“No, not really, why?” Anthony replied.

“That’s the problem Anthony, you’re not thinking about what others are thinking of you. And lately you’ve been changing.”

Anthony glimpsed at Bethany and returned to pulling out a journal from his backpack. “Why are you telling me this exactly?”

Bethany paused for a moment and took a deep breath. She tried to connect all the words in her head so they wouldn’t come out as offensive. “I think you’re letting this ‘President’ thing get to your head.”

Bethany tried recalling how much of a jerk he was being. “I don’t know what happened to the innocent Anthony from a couple of months ago, you’ve been an asshole to half the student body. You’re also being a kiss ass to the teachers, as if you’re trying to buy them just so you can win next years election.”

Anthony began to get agitated. Gabe approached as Anthony began to respond. He took a seat besides him and didn’t say a thing while Anthony spoke.

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me, I haven’t changed a bit. I’m a little more stressed, with the activities and planning stuff, but I’m still the same.”

Gabe was unsure of what Ant and Bethany were speaking about, but he then recalled what he and Bethany had spoken of the class period before. “Honestly, I think we’re all stressed, and hopefully we can all just relax a bit at the dance Friday,” Gabe spoke out.

Anthony sighed at the mention of the dance. The Fall Dance, the one Anthony along with the Student Council had been working very hard on. This dance was what everyone was looking forward to. Especially Anthony. After a couple of days of thinking it over he had come to the conclusion that he felt a strong attachment towards Valerie.

Gabe stared at Anthony, “You ok Ant?”

Anthony nodded his head, but his mind remained in the clouds. Valerie. Her name rang in his head. He continued to rehearse how he’d ask Valerie out over and over again.

“Yeah, just thinking about how a lot of things are going to change soon.”

. . .

Valerie and Bethany sat outside on the school steps as they waited for Anthony and Gabe to come out from the Student Council meeting.

“Do you think he’ll ask me out?” Valerie asked as she read through her Twitter feed on her phone.

“Honestly I think he will, all the signs he’s been showing lately, it couldn’t be more obvious.”

“It’s just so, so, I don’t know how to put it...”

“Awkward?”

“It could be, but I was thinking of, cute.”

“Cute that he’ll ask you out?”

“Well that too, but also all the signs he’s been showing, and how he’s so awkward himself around me.”

“So I’m guessing you actually like him?”

The doors opened behind them. Out walked Gabe as he held the door open for Anthony who was rolling out a crate with boxes full of decorations for the dance. Valerie could feel herself blushing as they walked by, Anthony smiled at her as he passed and she waved.

“Where are you guys going?” Bethany asked.

“To the gym, we’re going to store thiese decorations in there so it's less time consuming to decorate the dance tomorrow,” replied Gabe.

The boys continued walking, the girls remained silent until they boys were out of hearing distance.

“Anthony has a cute butt.” said Bethany.

“Oh my god, really? What’s up with you and boy butts?”

“What? They’re just so cute! Especially Anthony’s, and Gabe’s.”

“Oh my goodness.” Valerie said as the two of them began to giggle.

. . .

Anthony was finally ready to ask Valerie out.

“I don’t know Anthony, don’t you think it’s a little late to ask her out?” Gabe asked, although subconsciously he was completely against the idea. He still found it a little difficult to know that Anthony was about to ask her out.

“I don’t know, but I have to now before it’s too late.” replied Anthony as he set the last box of decorations down in the gym. “Now, let’s hurry up and get out of here and go ask them.”

As they walked out of the gym they saw the girls still sitting on the steps. Anthony felt a sudden rush of nervousness run through him as they approached them. Anthony took one final deep breath, while Gabe walked beside him with his head held low.

Anthony was now standing before Valerie, “Valerie I want to ask you something.”

Valerie found herself wondering what it could possibly be he wanted to ask.

“Will you go to tomorrows dance with me?”

Valerie’s heart stopped, she glance over at Gabe who was looking down at his shoes. Bethany was just as shocked, she glanced at Valerie nervously, “Um, Anthony, she’s going with me.” she butt in.

“Oh, well-”

“Sorry boys, we’re going together and either way it’s the day before and you shouldn’t have waited this long.”

“Aw, man, well maybe next time.” Anthony replied, he didn’t feel rejected, just disappointed, “In that case then I’ll go with Gabe.”

Gabe found himself confused but replied in agreement to what Anthony said. “Yup, seems like my date is Anthony.”

The boys walked away, Valerie sat awkwardly, “I really thought Gabe was going to ask me out.”

“I know Val, that’s why I had to say you were going with me, so it wouldn’t be hard on you.”

“Thanks Beth, I guess that did make things easier.”

“I know, but hey, that doesn’t mean you won’t get to dance with him tomorrow.”

“True, and do you really think they’ll really go as a date tomorrow?”

“Knowing those two I wouldn’t expect them not too.”

The two girls once again sat on the steps giggling.