Past Tense (editing)

Six//Dates

"Are we going to the prom?" Jacqueline randomly asked "I mean.. it's on Friday."

They were taking lunch at school and she just broke the silence asking that.

"Oh, maybe I could bring Douglas to the prom, what do you think?" Elaine said excited.

"I don't want to go." Tim said quietly.

"I find it a good idea." Don spoke up "Well Jacque, we're still going together, right?"

Jacqueline looked at him feeling kind of sorry. "Look, the reason why I asked was because, Mark asked me to go with him. I don't know, Donny."

Don and Jacqueline had promised to go to the prom together every year, as a sign of how strong their friendship was and that no girl or boy could split them. But they promised that when they were six.

Last year Don had a date and he dumped her for Jacqueline, her name was Nikki, and now they don't talk as much as they used to.

"But, Jacque. It's a tradition! It is our last year!" he said.

"I don't know should I tell him no?" Jacqueline wondered out loud.

"You will." he said in a strict tone "I dumped Nikki for you last year." he reminded her, making  her feel guilty.

"Fine fine. I'll tell him, today."

"So should I bring  Douglas?" Elaine joined in on our conversation.

"Sure, I can't see why not?" Jacqueline said.

"Since we're all going."

"I'm not going." Tim said irritated.

"Yes, tou are." Jacqueline said "You're not ruing this for all of us. You can come with Don and I."

"Whatever. I also want to meet the weird boy." he teased.

"For the last time." Elaine said "He's not a weird boy, nor a kidnapper - rapist - psycho whatever."

"Well fine." Tim said and left our table.

~

Things were tensed all day between them since Tim left the lunch table.

Jacqueline then left as well, with Don, who kept on telling her, she should tell Mark no, and that she was going to ruin their tradition.

Jacqueline found it a good idea to go and talk to Mark early enough for him to find an another date.

She had never been dumped since she was going with Don every year.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.

Jacque saw Mark walking some feet in front of her and hurried to catch up with him.

"Hey, Mark!" she greeted.

"Jacqueline!" he smiled sweetly at her, his green eyes sparkling. "What's up?"

"Everything's fine I guess." she smiled back "I wanted to talk to you."

"Yeah, sure."

"About the prom." she looked at him in the eyes with an apologetic look on her face. "Well, I wasn't planning to go. But then Don and I have this stupid tradition-"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." he said. "It's fine, Jacque. I get it."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay really. But-" he started. "since we're not going to the prom together, can I take you out sometime?" he asked her shyly.

Jacqueline wondered if he was really asking her out "Like on a date?"

"Erm, yeah." he said and looked at her. "I-If you want."

He looked so cute.

"Of course, Mark." Jacque replied. "That'd be lovely."

"How about tomorrow then?"

"Sure."

"I'll pick you up at 7."

"Perfect." she smiled at him and left his side, heading outside.

When she left the school building she saw the guys waiting for her. "There she is!" Tim said and pointed at her.

"Where were you?" Don asked.

"I was talking to Mark!" Jacqueline explained.

"We were going at Starbucks, you coming?" Elaine announced.

"Sure let's go."

~

They were sitting at Starbucks, sipping their coffees and talking.

"Jacqueline, are you coming with me tomorrow?" Elaine asked.

Jacqueline had totally forgotten about it. "Ugh, yeah, about that." she said with an apologetic look stuck on her face.

"What do you mean?"

"I have a date tomorrow." she said quietly and Don chocked on the coffee he was drinking and started coughing.

Tim hit him in the back and the people that were sitting on the table next to them started looking at them weirdly.

"Don't tell me you met someone , too." Don said and looked at her.

"No, I just wanted to make it up for Mark." she started. "Well, he asked me out and I said yes." she explained.

"Wait? Why Mark?" Don asked.

"What are you talking about?" Tim said. "Thank god its Mark and not a random stranger!" he said staring at El, a stare full of hidden words.

"I don't like him. He's so-" he paused. "weird." he continued.

"I like him." Tim told us. "He's a cool kid."

"Um, are we missing the point here?" Elaine joined.

"And that is?"

"Two things." she started saying. "Number one, Jacqueline has a date. And number two, he's freaking hot." she said pointing out two fingers.

Jacqueline chuckled and the boys looked at Elaine weirdly.

~

The next day passed very quickly.

It was time. Time for Jacqueline to go on her date. She was kind of nervous.

She didn't know what to wear. Formal or casual clothing? Where was he taking her?

She finally went with a pair of black jeans and a simple t-shirt.

The well-known sound of her phone ringing, echoed Jacqueline's small room.

She picked it up, after seeing that it was Mark who was calling her.

"Hey, I'm outside of your house." he said in his soft voice.

"I'll be right there." Jacqueline said and ended the call.

She grabbed her phone and her keys and went for the door.

As she went outside she saw Mark's car parked in front of her house.

She opened the passenger door and made herself comfortable on the passenger seat.

"Hello." she greeted and smiled.

"You're so beautiful." he commented.

"Well, thank you." Jacqueline answered and checked his clothes.

He was wearing casual clothes like her and she felt better. "where are we going?" she asked when he started the car.

"You'll see."

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