Switched Up

13-IV: One more

"Sure, Ricky. What's up?" said Sam.

He took in a deep breath before continuing.

"If... if Opal and I win the Group Tennis Event... I'm planning on asking her to be my girlfriend." 

A huge smile exploded across Sam's face.

"REALLY?!" she screamed. 

Ricky held a finger to his lips and aggressively shushed her.

"Don't be so loud! I don't want her to get any ideas."

Well, you already kinda messed that up, thought Sam with a chuckle.

Coming back to reality, Sam asked, "What made you decide to do this all of the sudden? And why only if you win? Just do it! Don't let your dreams be dreams!" 

"Stop! Don't bring dated memes into this! I'm serious."

Ricky looked away from Sam and towards where Opal was in the cafeteria.

"Opal and I have gotten really close over this short period of knowing each other and I feel like we really click. It sounds cliché, but I feel like I've known her way longer than I actually have. I just want to be the person who is there for her and will always support her. She's so beautiful and honest, I don't even know how I was able to get close to a girl like her. I mean, c'mon, I'm this tall, lanky basketball dork."

Sam was about to burst from all of the emotions of happiness going through her body. She controlled herself before putting her hand on Ricky's shoulder.

"Ricky, you have no idea how Opal feels about you. Don't be so negative and just go for it." 

He smiled.

"Thanks Sam", he said while looking back to the cafeteria doors, "...but I can't ask her out just yet."

"How come?"

"I want to feel like I'm worthy to be someone she can be with." 

Sam started laughing at his awkward reasoning. 

"Don't laugh!" whined Ricky.

"Sorry, sorry. But, well, if that's what you want to do, then don't lose, okay?"

A soft expression spread on his face.

"I won't. I like her too much to lose now."

Sam whacked Ricky in the back of his leg with her crutch.

"Ow! What was that for!" exclaimed Ricky.

"Nothing. That's my smack of good luck to you," beamed Sam.

Ricky laughed and wrapped his arm around Sam's neck and put her into a gentle headlock.

"Let's go head in now. I gotta get some energy food," he said.

"Yeah, let's get you filled up on some foodies, lover boy," teased Sam.

Ricky tightened his hold around her neck as she struggled to keep up with him with her crutches. 

"Okay, okay, okay! I'm sorry! Let go!" she yelled while laughing. 

Once they entered the cafeteria, they found where the others were sitting and went to join them. Sam noticed that her food was already at the table and looked at it confused.

"Oh, Sam, I got that for you so you wouldn't have to hobble around for food. I hope what I got you is okay. I know you like the pesto pasta," said Oliver. 

"I do! Thanks Oliver. You saved me from the hardest part: choosing what to eat."

The group laughed as she sat down next to Oliver where her food had been placed.