ecstasy. || jeffmads (DISCONTINUED)

| t w e n t y - e i g h t |

♢♢♢♢

I walked into school the next day with a bounce in my step. I walked around with a smile on my face. I got a few looks, but I didn't care because I was happy, and no one was going to rob me of that happiness. That happiness bestowed upon me by one mysterious young man. The man who gave me a reason to laugh, smile, and live. It felt unusual, and because it did, I knew that meant something. But I didn't want that feeling to fade because I knew that the moment it did, I'd be returning to my previous way of living. I never wanted to go back to that state again and, so, I embraced it. I embraced the peculiarity of it all.

On my way to the library, I ran into Dolley. This child had the hugest smile on her face. I raised a brow when she stopped me. I thought she was going to give me news about her and Hercules but stood corrected.
"Smiling about?" I asked, the girl covering her mouth in order, I assumed, for her not to screech. She uncovered her mouth and grabbed onto my arm.
"I heard about you and Thomas," she replied. I blinked twice before smiling at the thought of Thomas.
"Yeah? Whatchu heard?"
"You like him back!!"
I paused then agreed, "That's true. Who told you?" She squealed and bounced up and down a few times before answering, "He did, of course!!" I nodded. Of course. Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

"So?" She asked. I wasn't sure what she meant by that, "So what?" but she was more than willing to enlighten me.
"Are you gonna, you know... ask him out?" she said, winking. Oh, I thought. I hadn't quite considered that part yet. I shrugged, "Maybe. Maybe not."
She frowned, clearly confused.
"What do you mean "maybe, maybe not"??" 
"'Cause," I started, "maybe he'll ask me out."
She looked at me with a disbelieving expression.
"Really, James? Really. Why'd he ask you out? You're the top in this relationship."
I fake coughed, "Okay, firstly, who asks who out ain't necessarily based off of who tops, and secondly, why do you think I'm top?"
She crossed her arms, "Again... really, James? Everyone knows Thomas would bottom you."

I was a bit surprised, to say the least.
"Is that so," I asked, raising my eyebrows. She nodded.
"I see. Well... who knows? Maybe I will." I said, winking. She gasped then smiled, "I see you. Well, tell me how it goes!" She said before running off. I frowned. She hadn't even let me answer. But I shook it off and proceeded on my way to the library. I really hadn't thought about asking Thomas out, but now that Dolley had mentioned it, I kinda wanted to. No, I really wanted to. And, I smiled to myself because the sooner I did it, the better.

*

Our meeting went fast, and we were done even before four o'clock. Our project was practically finished, except for a few finishing touches which Theodosia promised we'd complete the next day.

"YAY! Awesome work today, guys. Awesome as usual. I just wanna say thank you to each and every one of you who's put their all into this assignment. I don't know what I would have done without you lot... I doubt I would've even got this far. Thank you to Dolley," she began, gesturing towards the girl, "who's been such a good influence on us all, for making sure everything's good and well... to Thomas," she continued, gesturing towards him, "who, despite not always being present, despite having difficulties here and there, has given his all into all that he's done... to Jemmie Jay," she went on, doing the same, "who joined us late, yet has been at the top of his game all along, without his amazing artistic talent, I don't know what we would have done..." she paused and looked at Dolley who blinked, offended, "no offense, baby girl. And, last but not least, to this lovely boy who's supported me from the beginning, helped me out when the bloody laptop started acting up, and just been the best he can, even in times of hardships..." she sniffed twice, "y'all the best friends and teammates ever... so, again, thank you all so much," she ended off, nodding and wiping her nose as if she was crying, which, she wasn't.