Cupid's Sabotage (COMPLETED)

Chapter 5

That next Monday at school, I prowl the hallways looking for Gwen or Zane before class. I'm not even sure why I do. Maybe it's because I'm curious to see if they will walk the halls together hand-in-hand. Even if they are, it's not like I can do anything about their relationship. Well, not until we use Reggie's video game induced plan, if it even works at all. I'm still shocked he talked me into it. I must be more desperate than I realize.

Half the school day slowly passes. Earlier, I spotted Zane between second and third period; he was standing around his locker chatting with three other guys. I wasn't able to listen in on what they were talking about, but the smug grin on his face told me it was about his upcoming date with Gwen. And what's even worse is he's copying my signature look! Today, he's wearing a shirt and tie with a sweater vest over it, and a gray sports jacket over the vest, along with skinny jeans that are tucked into his Sperry's. Not to mention, he combed his hair over to the side like mine. People say imitation is the best form of flattery. I say it's grand larceny.

I feel my skin itch every time I envision his suave outfit. It's official: I'm jealous. Zane Archer has never worn clothes like that. Never! He's only doing it because he knows Gwen likes it. Preppy. She likes preppy. I think back to the day in first grade when Gwen told me I looked preppy. Flash-forward four years and she's saying that exact thing to some other guy. How did we grow so far apart?

You know what? I'm just gonna ask her. I'm gonna ask Gwen exactly where and when things between us derailed. What's the worst that can happen? She tells me the truth—whatever the truth may be. Okay. I can deal with that. So she tells me the truth, and then I'll fix it. Boom! We'll be back together before lunch. Why didn't I think about doing this sooner?

Renewed with hope, I march into world history class and find Gwen already sitting in her usual seat. I drop my books down on my desk with a loud thud hoping to grab her attention. She looks up and our eyes meet. My legs wobble for a moment, but I regain control.

All right. This is it. Now's my chance to ask her what went wrong between us. I march over to her desk. "You wanna do something this Saturday?" My entire body tenses up as those words leave my mouth. What did I just do? What did I just do! I just asked her out. No, I didn't just ask her out. I asked her out on the same day as her date with Zane. How did that happen? Those weren't the words I wanted to say at all. I think I'm going to be sick.

I stand there completely frozen in place, wishing I could dig a hole in these linoleum floors and bury myself. Gwen dodges my stare, clearly just as surprised as I am. She tucks a stray hair behind her ear. "Um. Christian, I'm—" She pauses, glancing around the room as if to see if anyone is watching. "I'm busy that day."

I take a step back. "Oh. Okay. Sure. I understand. But maybe I could call you, ya know, after you're not busy?" What is wrong with me? My brain is telling my mouth to shut up, but my mouth won't listen!

"Christian, I don't think that's such a good idea."

A stifled laugh slips from my throat. "What? W-why not? I mean, we go way back you and me. And yet, it feels like we've been drifting farther apart. It'd be nice to catch up some time. You like coffee?" I know very well Gwenevere hates coffee, but I'm desperate for an opening.

The bell rings signaling the start of class. Gwen immediately drops her head to her textbook and pretends to read. I know she's only pretending because her eyes aren't moving like they would if she were actually reading. Reluctantly, I return to my desk and plop down in the chair.

Through the entire duration of class, my mind is elsewhere. I can't focus. Every so often I'll hear the teacher speak and I'll listen for a few seconds, then subconsciously space out. The process repeats over the course of the next hour.

The back of my neck is hot. I completely humiliated myself by asking Gwen out. For once, I'm glad I can't see her. I never want to see her again. Well, that's not entirely true. She's no doubt staring at the back of my head, the whole scene of me asking her out playing over and over in her mind. I cringe just thinking about it.

After class is over, I pretend to search for something in my backpack, so as not to make eye contact with Gwen as she passes by my desk. She's quick to gather up her own textbooks, then leaves the classroom. From my peripheral, I wait and see if she will look back at me. She doesn't. One thing is clear, she's forgotten about us, our pinkie promise, and the plans we made together.

I no longer mean anything to her.

* * *

During lunch, Reggie, Marcus, and myself always sit at our usual table, which happens to be the closest table to the soda fountain. Reggie's choice. I find him sitting at the table when I arrive in the school cafeteria. He's already devoured half of his cheeseburger and a side of loaded cheese fries. Lunch hour only started a few minutes ago. How does he eat so fast?

As I move over to the food line, I pass by Marcus walking towards the table with a tray of food held in his hands; a plateful of fresh greens and a fruit bowl along with a sealed bottled of water. Reggie could learn a thing or two from studying Marcus' eating habits. Then again, the only thing Reggie studies are comic books and video game manuals.

I'm not in the mood to eat. I'm not really in the mood to do anything except to crawl in a hole and die, but I know I should eat something. I swipe a yogurt parfait and a granola cup from the buffet lunch arrangement, then follow Marcus to the table.

"What's with the long face?" Reggie says as I sit down in the chair across from him. He's now finishing up the last of his cheeseburger.

"I asked her out!" Those words fly off my lips. I don't feel like holding back my disappointment any longer. "I asked Gwen out this Saturday."

Reggie and Marcus exchange stunned expressions.

"What!" Reggie stands up from his chair, nearly choking on his last bite of burger. "Are you stupid? What did she say? Did she say yes? Did she kick Zane Archer to the curb? Are you guys back together again? Oh, and . . . are you stupid?"

"Keep your voice down. I don't exactly want the entire school knowing about my love life." I release a drawn-out moan, dropping my forehead against the table. "Yes, I'm stupid. And no she didn't kick Zane to the curb. She would hardly talk to me. And when class ended, she rushed out of the room like she was fleeing from an airborne virus."

"Well, you do look a little green," Reggie says as he sits back down.

"Trust me, I feel ten times worse than I look."

I think back over the last few years, questioning when and where Gwen and I drifted apart. Was it in third grade when Lizzie Wilder convinced me to audition for The Wizard of OZ in the school play after she had clinched the role of Dorothy? Lizzie and I spent a generous amount of time with one another rehearsing our lines and assembling various stage props. I was hoping to get the part of the Scarecrow, but ended up being a lousy munchkin. Come showtime, no one even noticed me, not even Gwen. Though, to be fair, there was like forty of us. But could that have made her jealous? Did she feel I pushed her away?

Or was it during this past summer break when we vacationed with my mom's relatives at that beach house we rented? Dozens of photos where taken over the three-day trip and I'm sure some of them got posted on social media. Maybe Gwen saw them and thought my cousin, Serra, was my girlfriend. Or maybe she got hurt because she didn't get invited. I suppose it could be any number of things. I'm still no closer to understanding the truth.

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