Have Some Hope

Chapter 14

I quickly eat my eggs and toast. Chip had texted me earlier that he needed to talk before school. Andy agreed to drive me to school earlier.
Simon grabs his stuff for work and meets me and Andy outside. I grab my backpack and get in the car. Andy drops me off at school and I wave them goodbye.
I walk over to where Chip is waiting under a tree. He looks really nervous about something. He spins his lip piercing and his eyes dart around the courtyard.
"Hey Chip. What's up?" I ask. He looks up at me nervously. He stops playing with his lip piercing and runs his hand through his hair.
"I want to ask Kai to prom this weekend, but I don't know if he wants to go with me because we aren't boyfriends or anything-" he starts. I interrupt him confused.
"Wait. You guys aren't already dating?" I ask. He shakes his head no. I ponder this for a moment.
"Chip. I think that he would go with you. It's painfully obvious that he likes you," I state. He looks down nervously. I look out into the courtyard and see Kai coming our way.
"Speak of the devil here he comes. I'll leave you guys to talk. Good luck," I tell Chip. He nods slightly. I walk over to another tree and watch the two.
Flo walks up next to me, about to speak, but I shush jim and point at the two boys. He nods and smiles.
Chip is talking to Kai and he suddenly blurts something out. Kai stops in his tracks and looks at Chip confused. Flo grabs my hand in excitement and I blush.
Chip looks dow and runs his hand through his hair. Kai lifts his chin and kisses him. Flo squeezes my hand. Kai looks at Chip with so much love it's almost sickening.
Kai nods and Chip runs over to me and Flo.
"He said yes!" He screams pulling me into a hug. Kai walks over from the tree and talks to Flo. I ruffle Chip's hair and pull out of the hug.
"Thank you," Chip says. I nod and smile. Meadow and Caroline walk up beside us. Chip tells them what happened and Meadow squeals in delight.
Flo looks over confused and I throw him a smile. He smiles back and continues talking to Kai. Chip pulls me over to the two girls.
"So are you guys going to prom together?" He asks them. They nod. Caroline smirks.
"I asked her last night. You should have seen her reaction. She literally-" Caroline gets cut off by Meadow putting a hand over her mouth.
"Nope. We are not talking about that," she says. I laugh. Valley and Rain walk over to us. Chip runs over to them and pulls them over.
"Are you guys going to the senior prom together?" He asks them. Rain looks over at Valley and laughs.
" Yeah. I asked her when we were watching a movie last night and we both agreed. No mushy stuff, " Valley says. Chip groans. I smile.
The rest of the day goes by quickly. Lunch was uneventful and quite boring. Kai has been talking to Flo quite a bit. Chip seems to be jealous.
Andy picks me up from school and takes me home. He parks in the garage and we go to the living room. I sit down on the couch beside him.
"Do you have a job?" I ask suddenly. He looks over at me and nods.
"Yeah. I work at a bookstore while you're at school. And Simon is the manager of a big clothing company," he says. Well that explains why Simon likes clothes shopping so much.
And also why they own hundreds of books. I walk over to the bookshelf and scan over the books. They have the classics and the newer books.
I sit back down on the couch. I look at the television. The remote is on the table but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to turn it on. I sit there staring at the remote for a while.
"You know you can turn the television on right?" Andy asks breaking me out of my trance. I look over at him skeptically.
"I can?" I ask. He nods and hands me the remote. I turn the television on and find a channel I like. I look over at Andy for his approval and he nods.
I watch television while Andy reads his book. About an hour later, Simon walks through the front door. He walks up behind Andy and hugs him.
"What are you watching?" He asks me.
"I think it's a show called 'Spongebob' or something like that," I reply. He nods. Andy gets off the couch and goes into the kitchen. I turn off the television and follow him into the kitchen.
My phone chimes and I pull it out of my pocket. I sit on the counter and check my messages.
M- Hey. So we are planning something for you so I'm supposed to distract you.
Well thanks Meadow. That doesn't give anything away at all.
H- Okay...?
M- So do you want to go to the mall? I need to get a dress for the dance.
H- Let me ask my dad.
I look up and see Andy and Simon playing a board game at the table.
"Can I go to the mall with Meadow?" I ask. Simon looks over my way.
"Sure. Do you need a ride?" He asks. I nod. I go back on my phone.
H- Yeah. I'll be there soon.
M- Kk
Simon and Andy get up from the table and walk to the garage. I grab my wallet and walk to the car. I get in and Simon drives off. Andy leans back and hands me four hundred dollars.
I try to push it back to him but he shakes his head. I look over at Simon for help.
"Take the money. Buy a dress or something. Don't you have senior prom coming up?" He asks. I nod. He pulls up at the front. I can see Meadow standing there waiting for me. I get out of the car and close the door
"Have fun!" Andy yells. I wave.
"Thank you! I love you! " I call back. They sit there shocked for a moment.
"We love you too. Now go shop!" Simon yells driving off.