JOEY’S POV
I shuffled downstairs in the dim light, my heart thumping with nerves. I pulled a chair out for her and sat across the table.
“So, what... um... well... what was that?” I started.
There was an awkward pause before Lauren said, “I don’t know,” she hid her face behind a curtain of hair, “I think I should probably tell you...”
“Tell me what?” Even though I already knew, I wanted to hear her say it.
“I’ve kind of had a crush on you... for a while. Well, is five years a while?” she giggled nervously.
“Five years... that’s kind of a while,” I didn’t know what to say. I’d liked her since we’d first met Freshman year... about five years ago, too, “I... I remember when we met. Freshman year, drama class. You were wearing black jeans and a red tank top and your hair was super long... it was in a ponytail. I remember everything, your smile, the way your ponytail bopped back and forth when you walked, the way you threw your head back laughing whenever I said anything... I kept looking at you out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t even know your name, but I knew you were flawless.
“So I became friends with you. It was horrible for the first six months -it was so hard for me to be just your friend- but I got used to it. And there were times, of course, when I wanted to tell you so badly, but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. But now I’m worried I’ve ruined it anyway.” I said slowly. I wanted to tell her about about the time I realized I was in love with her, but I couldn’t. She didn’t know I loved her. She didn’t feel the same way and I’d ruined it. I’d tried for five years to get her to like me as much as I liked her, and it’s all over now.
“You remember all of that, too?” Lauren said, looking up at me through her hair.
“Of course I do... how could I forget?”
“I remember the day we met, too. You were so quiet; it wasn’t like the Joey I grew to know. You smiled at me once, and I caught you looking a few times. You kinda intrigued me, so I decided to become your friend. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And then, of course, I started to like you. How could I not? So, yeah, I’ve wished for this to happen for five years and now I don’t know what to say so I’ll just stop here and... nevermind. I’ve tried to think of what to say in this situation when I can’t sleep at night, but none of them seem right now that I think about it.”
“Well maybe if I take you on a date this weekend you’ll know what to say then. All you gotta say now is yes or no,” I said hopefully.
I barely had time to think before she was kissing me again, her lips fitting perfectly to mine, that feeling of ecstasy in my bones for the second time tonight. I’d only felt that way twice before: the first time she’d kissed me, and when I’d first realized I was in love with her a year ago.
“Of course I’ll go. So... what should we tell Dylan and Jaime?”
“Oh, we heard that whole thing,” Jaime said, stepping into the poorly-lit kitchenette, “I’m gonna tease you so bad.”
“Oh my Wizard God. I’m going to KILL you,” Lauren squealed and chased Jaime into the living room.
“So, you gonna get some tonight?” Dylan asked from behind me.
“What the hell, Dylan!” I swiveled around to face him.
“You know I was just joking. Take it slow, kid.”
“Dylan, I’m like, the same age as you.”
“But still. She’s fragile. You’re fragile. Just don’t hurt her, okay?” Dylan seemed really sincere, so I tried to take him seriously.
“I won’t hurt her. She’s not fragile, though. I think it’s going to be okay. Thanks for the advice, Dyl. Really. You’ve been a big help.”
“No problem,” he stood to go, but turned around before he headed up the stairs, “Hey, one last thing.”
“Yes?”
“Can you show me how you asked her out? I have... someone I need to talk to.”
