Ariella never saw Mike like a brother; she only loved his goofball personality and flair for creativity. Mike never dreamed that bubbly and fierce Ariella would be interested in him. Once she confesses she's crushed on him for years, Mike staunchly...
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"See ya later," I tell Luke, swiping my hand over his shoulder before starting my walk toward first period. "Bye guys."
He tips his cup toward me in acknowledgment while gnawing on his bagel. We've been goofing off with a couple of friends before school starts, and more students are trickling into the building in various shades of morning dishevelment.
People traipse through the hall, stomping their feet on the utility rug to blast snow from their shoes. The corridor is filled with the sound of squeaking shoes on wet linoleum as they rush past.
"Be your best self today," he calls after me. I snort, turning to face him, and he cups his hands around his mouth to heighten the volume. "You're a star!"
Our friends laugh, and Keenan lets out a supportive whoop before the others join him. Senior boys in mid-December get rowdy and reckless. Even a reserved Luke Garrett.
"I love you, Lucas," I say, spinning around, throwing my arms wide for theatrics. "Make good choices."
He throws his hands in the air. "Be the change."
I turn forward again, then round the corner to take one of the shorter connecting hallway. If I walk right, I'll head toward the art room. If I go left, I might find her...
Ariella stands with her back to me at her locker, balancing her bag on the crook of her elbow, a water bottle in the same hand, and reaching deep inside the locker for something else. She yelps when I poke her left side and say hello near her right ear.
"Geez, Michael. You scared the stuffing out of me."
I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back into my front, lifting the bag and cup from her hands. "You smell nice," I say.
Butterflies stir up in my stomach at the cute little laugh she lets out. "Hi. So do you." The locker clicks shut softly under her hand, and she leans her back against it while an uncharacteristically shy smile blossoms. "Good morning."
I bend toward the ground to deposit her belongings, then interlace her fingers with mine. "Yeah, it's a good morning. I'm here, and you're there looking so pretty," I say, enveloping the side of her face with my other palm. "How about I walk you to class?"
Her eyes sparkle as she brings a hand to her cheek. She peels my fingers slowly from her face and nabs her things off the floor before we start a slow stroll.
"So, Ariella."
"So, Michael."
"What do you think about going on a date with me tonight?"
