Nice Guys Finish Last

Chapter 8

“Hey, Tyler,” Rohan said to me. I stopped gluing decorations together and looked up. We were at a Prom Committee meeting. Rohan hadn’t really signed up for the committee, but he had been coming and hanging out here, and Mrs. Simmons didn’t really mind, as long as he helped us out a little too.

“Yeah?” I said.

He motioned to Jay with his head. She was on the other side of the room with Maria, also making decorations. “Do you think I should try asking her out today?”

“Sure, go for it!” I smiled encouragingly. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll say yes. I think she has a better opinion of you now.”

“Alright…I’ll just get her to stay for a few minutes after the meeting is over and everyone’s already gone.”

“Good idea. Should I wait for you?”

“If you want.”

“I might as well, Sayu went home with a friend today so I don’t have to drop her home anyway.”

Rohan nodded. “Okay.”

We worked on the decorations for about half an hour until the meeting was over, and then Rohan walked over to Jay as she was packing up her stuff. “Hey, Jay, can you stay for a few minutes?” he said, kind of quietly.

“Uh, sure, I guess,” she said.

Mrs. Simmons walked toward the door and turned around. “Aren’t you leaving too?” she asked.

“Yeah, uh, I need to talk to Jay,” said Rohan. “Is that okay?”

She nodded, looking puzzled. “Alright, the door automatically locks after it closes though so make sure that you get all your belongings before you leave. Have a nice day!” She left the room. I realized I should leave too, so I picked up my backpack.

“Good luck,” I mouthed to Rohan when Jay wasn’t looking, then walked out. I stood outside the room, waiting. I could still hear them, since I was pretty close to the door. I guess it was kind of wrong of me to listen, but I pretty much knew what he was going to say anyway.

I heard Rohan clear his throat. “Uh…well…” That was strange. He was never awkward around girls. He always knew the right thing to say. But for the first time he seemed at a loss for words. I guess he knew that his cheesy pick-up lines wouldn’t work on Jay. “Look, Jay, I know I was a jerk to you at first, but the truth is, I really like you. And if you’re willing to give me another chance…maybe…we could go out sometime?”

There was a long silence, then I heard Jay speak. “Alright. Sure. I’ll give you another chance.”

“Great! So…would this Saturday be fine?”

“Sure. Call me, you have my number.”

“Alright!”

“Okay, well, I have to go now, but I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Yeah, bye!”

 I quickly moved away from the door. I didn’t want to look like I’d been eavesdropping. A few seconds later, the door opened and Jay and Rohan walked out. “Bye, guys!” she said, and walked off. I waved, and then Rohan and I left, too. Although I was happy for him, I couldn’t help feeling a little bit sad, too. But I still had Maria, so it was okay.