How?

Anthony, he is the one I have devoted my heart to since the begging of time. We met in 7th grade and were friends until the second day of Freshman year. When he changed everything with one question.

"Em, I just need someone to help me understand what were doing for homecoming, I'm so confused." Yells Elaine, who is one of my best friends. "So do you have a date? That's honestly all I really need to know, Alex says he knows a guy who's been asking if you were free."

"Elaine, I'm fine without a date for homecoming, I'll figure something out. I don't need a guy to be happy." Oh wow was I ever lying, I'm Em Huntsman almost 15. I can not tell a lie, I am a hopeless romantic. Who everyone secretly wants to kill. My excessive need to compete... and win is what turns them away. I'm happy with myself so why should I change?

"Em, I know who has been asking about you and you won't find out until you say you will come."

"Fine what the hell, let's go to the ditzy dance," I shout with anger. "Elaine, just tell me who and tell them to get a tux." Greg Elaine's boyfriend walks up and asks her,

"So you tell her yet who it's been."

"Just getting there, this might be good news for you Em."

"For god sakes Lane just tell me."

"It's Anthony." I look at her in absolute shock. Who ever thought Anthony Decrier would want to ask me to homecoming. We have been friends since seventh grade, he made it pretty obvious he was satisfied with our non-excitant relationship.

"But Em," says Greg slowly makings sure I catch on, "You can't tell Anthony we told you, he said he wanted to ask himself. He was honestly so worried, almost could not work up the nerves to even tell me the plan."

"It's ok you two just take a chill pill." I say and walk away, but I forgot to tell them I wanted to go with him, so I run back, "tell him I'm not taking anyone, but I would like him to ask me."

"Got it Em," says Greg he sees Alex his friend looks at Elaine and she says,

"Just go Greg I'm totally good with it." He walks away and she watches him Until he reaches Alex. "Em."

"Yeah, what is it Lane."

"He told me we get to see each other after school. He claims he needs time with his friends before school and during lunch. I'm so confused, just I don't know what to say."

"Then why are you asking the girl who turned Aidan Nam down, who hasn't managed to get a boyfriend. Go ask someone like Vittoria, does she ever know how to keep a guy interested."

"I don't want to sleep with him, I've told you the risks haven't I?"

"You've definitely told me more that 2 trillion times."

"So we've come to a conclusion do not ask Vittoria. I should ask someone like EllA Hounder she's managed to keep her College guy interested for at least two years."

"That was probably a sleep free plan to," I say.

"Okay, I'll ask her. Tonight."

"Got it, I'm going to the restroom Lane."

"No problem you're seat will be saved." I give her a thumbs up and start heading over to the restroom.

I was barely done washing my hands when Elaine walks in and sees me.

"Why are you in here," I asked somewhat confused?

"Anthony sat down with Greg, me, and all of the JV guys. But he asked, where's Em I've been meaning to talk to her."

"Do you think the ask is going to go down." I ask Eliane feeling a lot like a middle schooler again.

"Not yet, he's probably wanting to get to know you."

"But El I honestly don't know what I'd do differently from what happened in seventh grade."

"Just take things slow Em you'll never go wrong." After Elaine mentioned the idea of taking things slow that made me realize maybe I was rushing into this. "Em, you're capable of so much. You just have to slow down a bit." What El was saying was true, very true. When I'd slowed down on my final exam in Geometry I had gotten a perfect score. Yet this wasn't just true within my academics but also my social life.

"Yeah, I completely understand. Thanks girl." I tell Elaine as I walk into the lunchroom unable to comprehend all the kids in one place. It was only my second day of High School though I still had three more years to explore, now I just had to leave room on my plate

"Hey, Em over here." I hear Anthony shout as he raises his hand. I wave, and run over to his full table. "Em, these are some of the track guys. I stand there for a moment as Anthony and the Anthony speaks up "Can we make any room at all for her"

"How about she sits in Hunters seat."

"Great idea Aidan," Anthony says as Hunter gets out of his seat and mouths what the heck to Anthony. Hunter moved to the end of the table making room for me next to Anthony.

"Hey, how are you all today?" I say as I sit down awkwardly as Anthony sets his hand on my leg.

"Fine," says Graham looking at me as if he was irritated.

"Good," all of the guys sort of mumbled I was feeling unwelcome until Hunter piped up and said,

"So Em how did Nutcracker Audition go?" I look at him and relived I say,

"perfect, your looking at the newest Clara!"

"Guess I'll be coming to the show this year then," Anthony says as he moves his hand up my leg.

"Yeah, guess you are." I say to him trying not to sound to snotty.

"What is it Em."

"While you've shown remotely no interest in me since the beginning of eighth grade, and not to mention you acted like a real jerk. Now you just think I'll be all it's okay I don't remember that?" I question him. "I'm not like that anymore," I say strongly. I could tell I was just making things uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to fight with you not right now." As soon as I say this he looks at me and says,

"I'm sorry Em." I look up at him and replied with the one phrase that came to mind,

"Why did you do it."

"I was a fake,"

"Anthony, I know it was because of the secret you told me." He looked away from me and started to talk about what had happened.

"I thought you told everyone the secret, I found it the next week it was Amanda. I never really had the guts to apologize." He paused for a moment then said, "Em I feel something real between us. Will you except my apology and come to homecoming with me." I looked at him in shock, and I leaned into him gently.

"Yes, I can't wait," I whispered in his ear. I heard his friend cheer and whistle and I giggled waiting for all of the noise to die down before I started talking to Anthony again.

"But first will you go on a date with me."

"When," I ask.

"How about after the football game, my brother offered to drive, he's going out with his girlfriend also."

"Great you can count me in, but I have have to be back home before one in the morning I have ballet at eleven Saturday morning so I need to get some sleep."

"No worries, our Families curfew on Friday nights is one."

"Really?"

"No, but I can get you home don't worry."

........