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SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
VALENTINE'S DAY, FRIDAY

TOBIAS WACH

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"Do you really think he's going to take me?"

"Yes! You're his Valentine! Why wouldn't he take you? That's literally where everyone goes when they have a Valentine."

"I don't know." I sat back down on my bed and sighed.

"Tobias, just text him and ask."

I looked down at my phone that was in my hand. I was hoping that it was time for me to go to my Friday class but I still had more than half an hour left till then. Also, the school wasn't a long drive away so I couldn't even use that as an excuse.

"Earth to Tobias. Text Brandon."

"I can't."

"Why not? You have his number, don't you?"

"Yes but-"

"But what?"

I sighed. "Okay, so I texted him but he didn't text me back."

Isabel gasped and then she blinked her wide eyes a few times. "You-You texted him? What? Oh my god! I can't believe you!"

"I know. It was a mistake."

"No, it wasn't! Why was it a mistake?"

"Because I should've never done it."

"He didn't text back?"

I was embarrassed. I didn't even want to admit that he didn't. I thought that maybe I didn't get the notification but when I went to check, I was still left without a message. How sad?

"Tobias?"

"Yes."

"It's okay if he didn't text you back. Who knows, maybe he was busy and just forgot to answer the text."

"Maybe. I doubt it. I think he's starting to regret his choice of going to the dance with me."

Isabel sat next to me. "And why do you say that?"

"Because he likes that Mason guy."

"Who's Mason?"

I sighed. "Mason is a worker at, "Portable Café," and Brandon is apparently a usual there."

"When did you go to Portable Café?"

"The day of the fire at our school. Brandon took me to go get coffee and cookies with him."

"That's so cute! Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Because it wasn't a big deal. He basically friend-zoned me there and he was totally flirting with Mason. I don't blame him. Mason looked way better than me. He was super cute."

"And you're super cute. Don't be silly, Tobias. You're Brandon's Valentine, not Mason. He asked you, not Mason. He orchestrated a whole proposal for you. If that doesn't scream he's into you, I don't know what the hell does."

I smiled as I thought back on the proposal. "It was a very sweet gesture. Maybe you're right. Maybe I am being stupid."

"Mhm. Just text him before you get off class to come to the park and let me know when you two are together so me and Noah can meet up with you two."

"Wait, you and Noah are going?"

She smiled. "Yes! He asked me this morning."

"That's nice. I'm happy he asked you. Maybe Brandon will ask me then."