Lola Swan: Trough her eyes (1)

21 A date for the dance

Lola and Bella arrive at school. 'How are you?' Lola asks her sister.

'I'll be ok.' She replies. Her eyes go over the parking lot. She is probably looking for the Cullens. 'At least I think so.'

'It will be ok.'

Bella nods when she sees Jessica over her sister's shoulders: 'I'll see you at lunch.'

Lola turns. Jessica is coming right at them and looks very enthusiastic. Lola looks aside and sees that her sister is already gone.

'Oh Lola, something amazing happened... I never thought it would... even if you said it would ... I just never believed you.' She drags Lola alongside her towards their first lesson: 'We'll have a lot to talk about.'

'Ok.' Lola says. It's fantastic that her best friend is this happy, and she thinks she knows why. Maybe when she spoke with Mike yesterday, it changed something. 'But can you first tell me what happened?'

'I didn't tell you yet.' Jessica asks, surprised.

'No, Jess, you didn't. 'Lola laughs: 'Just that you're delighted it did happen.'

'Mike asked me out.'

That was what Lola hoped for. She didn't think about how it would impact her. Jessica talks about everything. What they are going to do. Apparently, Mike wanted to keep it a secret, but, in the end, he told Jessica they would go eat in a nice little restaurant. Lola didn't know the one he suggested, but Jessica says it is one of her favourites. Lola does know that Mike should learn how to keep surprises from Jessica.

Jessica starts talking about her clothes because it's essential. What you wear on a first date can change the whole experience, Jessica's words. It takes almost the entire Spanish class to go over different options. Luckily Lola knows quite well which clothes her best friend owns, and in the end, she goes for black jeans and a dark blue jumper.

Jessica takes Lola with her when she goes to their lunch table. Lola looks backward to look at her sister, who signs she will follow.

When they're almost at their lunch table, Jessica changes topics: 'Now this is serious, Angela, Bella. It's time to buy our dresses for the dance.'

Bella, who just arrived, looks up.

Angela nods; she is already sitting at the table.

'And, of course, you need a dress as well.' Jessica rambles: 'You didn't tell us with who you will go, Lola. No excuses. You know it is time for you to ask someone.' Jessica seems seriously worried about her best friend's lack of a date to the dance.

'I'll see, and I can always just go alone.' Lola says, trying to eat a sandwich. Jessica takes it out of her hand and gives her a look. She tilts her head. Mike starts laughing but stops when Jessica glares at him.

'We will buy our dresses tomorrow. I will drive.' Lola and Angela nod, knowing how important this is for Jessica. Bella also agrees.

Jessica doesn't stop thinking about it: 'Lola, you can ask ....'

'No, Jess, I am not going with whoever you suggest. Can you please let it go?' She says before walking away. Jessica looks at her friend until she is out of sight.

'Lola, are you ok?' Angela asks her friend.

Lola sits on a bench outside. She stares in the distance but now looks at Angela: 'Yes, Jessica is driving me crazy. She is constantly telling me who I should take, but...' She shrugs: 'It's how she is. I should know that by now.' It's indeed something she has always done. What is different is how she reacted. 'She means well.'

'Still, Jessica should not decide for you, even if she only wants to help.' Angela sits next to her.

'I know.' Lola looks at Angela: 'I know who I want to take, but I don't think it will end well. He is my best friend. And I am scared.'

'Maybe you should try. We are talking about Jonah?'

Lola looks up: 'Yes, but you cannot tell Jess.'

'I know.' Angela says: 'You should ask him; he may surprise you.'

Jessica is wearing black jeans and a dark blue jumper. A black skirt, green dress, and three different sweaters lay on her bed. Ultimately, she did go with what Lola suggested she should wear. She told her that Mike would like it. Lola knows him better. Jessica doesn't have much time, but it's something she should do.

When Jessica arrives, she is a little late. She sees Mike and is so happy they're finally on a date. Even if it sounds stupid or typical, she likes it if the boy asks the girl.

'Hey...' She does not know what to say: 'I'm sorry.'

'It's only five minutes.' He smiles. And they start walking: 'Why are you late?

He knows what happened at lunch: 'I needed to call Lola and apologize.' It's a lot for her, but she admits it when she knows she did something wrong.

'That's a nice thing to do. I'm sure she appreciated it.' Mike smiles at her.