The Secrets We Share

TWELVE

Dawn

It turned out that my mind was right- I hadn't been able to get a good night's sleep for the past two nights. I would lie down, tell my brain to go to sleep, and then see something in my room that would remind me of him, so much that I ended up letting my thoughts drift.

And then I'd turn over in the bed, only to see my alarm clock blaring out its shrilly beeps.

I'd fling out a blind hand to make it shut up, roll over onto my side, back facing the threat, and shove a pillow over my face.

Which worked until mum barged into my room, rolled up the blinds, then told me to hurry up or I'd miss the train.

Today was no different. And now Sunday was suddenly looming, a weight on my shoulders that would only pass once Monday arrived- or maybe, gotten only heavier by then if something went wrong.

I was definitely freaked out about my date going wrong. Horribly wrong.

In fact, I was that desperate that when I saw Aria in roll call, I went straight up to her and asked her if she and Jason would like to go on a double date with Noah and I. Kat could hug a beach ball or something.

Replying that she'd love to, and that it'd probably be better for Jason to be there for Noah in case things got out of hand, Aria sat back down to text Jason on the new development.

I hadn't even asked Noah if that was alright.

Never mind.

Now that both Aria and I were sharing the burden of preparing for the beach, my load of worry was considerably lighter.

Especially since Kat accepted the invite, saying that if Noah and Jason ditched us, we could be the Three Musketeers and do girl stuff at the beach. 'We don't need jerks to mess up a perfectly fine day' was what she said.

Nodding and smiling nervously, I went online to check the weather for Sunday- and indeed it seemed as though it would be a cloudless day with deep blue skies.

We were going in the afternoon, around four, so we could experience the sunset.

It seemed so romantic. Note the word seemed.

Though of course, if everything went well, it totally would be a romantic date. 

If everything got messed up... well, that would probably cause some awkward history. 

Focus on the positive, the glass half full with water, not half empty, Dawn.

Okay. No need to stress out. Stay calm. 

I slipped into my seat next to Kat in period five. "How's life?"

Okay, that was random. 

She gave me a weird look. "Boring as hell."

"It won't be on Sunday," I replied. Gosh, I was still thinking about it?

Sighing (in pity I guess) Kat patted me on the back. "Just stop worrying about it, Dawn."

"I know, but I can't! It's so annoying." I scowled at the whiteboard.

"Sad."

I glared at her. "Really?"

When she didn't reply, I glanced over to look at her. 

Inside, I did a double take. 

"You- you got an upper ear piercing!" I got out.

"It's called a helix piercing," she replied, smiling at me. "I'm glad you noticed. Aria still hasn't."

We both turned to look at Aria basically drooling on Jason's shoulder.