Time And I

Seventeen

I didn't know much about Devon. Sure, we talked for hours when we went out to dinner, and we always had fun whenever we studied. And yeah, I got a little giddy whenever I saw he texted me, but there was still more to know about him. I may have liked his personality, but how long would it be until I got sick of it and didn't want to spend any more time with him? How much longer until the crush wore off?

If I was going to go on a fake date with him for the sake of my friend, I had to get over whatever feelings there might have been for him. Devon and I were friends, and friends alone. There was nothing else between us. It was completely platonic, and it needed to stay that way. I had my priorities straight. I knew what I wanted in life, and a relationship was not part of it yet.

So why did I feel so anxious as I entered the community center and walked up to Twisted? He told me he worked that day, and I told him there was a chance I'd stop by to say hi and get a pretzel. These were plans I had before I knew I needed to ask him out, but it wasn't as though that made me feel any better. After all, I didn't plan to date until after I joined a band. So why did I have to crush on someone out of nowhere?

Was this a normal thing? To just suddenly look at someone and realize you like them? I guess it happened to Buddy. All he had to do was watch me laugh, and he suddenly realized he had feelings for me. When did this crush come into play? Was it after we had dinner? Or was it after the batting cage when I wanted him to hold me again without showing me how to bat? It didn't actually matter when the feelings started as long as they stopped.

This may have been a fake date I was asking him on, but I would still need to behave like a couple that day. If I faked feelings while I had a crush on him, would that suddenly spark actual feelings for him? Would that make me want to throw my band plans out the window because I wouldn't want to wait? If I actually did date him and found a band, I would most likely break up with him because of my busy schedule, because it wouldn't be fair to either of us.

Why the hell was I thinking ahead? I didn't even know if Devon liked me back. Didn't Devon say he wasn't interested in anybody? Didn't he say that he was looking to date, either? Sure, that was because no girl ever gave him a second look without it being out of fear, but just because I didn't give a fuck about his reputation didn't mean he was going to have feelings for me suddenly. He didn't have feelings for me, and all I had was an easy to destroy crush. I could ask him out without a problem.

At least I would have been able to before he smiled, as though he was on top of the world once he saw me approach the counter. "Hey, Mel! What pretzel did you want?"

"Cinnamon sugar, please," I said, my voice shaking.

"What's wrong?" he asked, making no move to grab my food.

"Just... nervous."

His face fell. "Because of me?" he softly asked.

"No!" I quickly stated. "Well, technically yes, but not because of that. Never because of that."

While his smile didn't return, his face relaxed. "Then... what's up?"

I groaned. "I feel stupid for asking, but would you be willing to go on a double date with me and my friend Darcy and her new girlfriend Amber? Amber doesn't want to be alone on their first date, and their original second couple had to cancel. I'm Darcy's only hope, and I can't go out with Buddy, because we finally talked about his feelings. And if I asked him out on a fake date, that would be like leading him on, and I can't do that. So will you help me?"

As I rambled on, Devon's smile slowing grew back to being as wide as it was before. He chuckled, hiding his face from me once I finished. "Sorry, but that was just really cute and sweet."

I blushed, scowling.

"Does your friend have a problem with me?"

"No, she's looking forward to meeting you."

"Then yes, I will go on a date with you." He smirked as he leaned forward on his forearms. "Is this your way of finally asking me out on a date?"

"No," I deadpanned.

He chuckled, ducking his head before leaning back to grab my pretzel. "It's on the house."

"Thanks."

"Just my way of showing you I like you too." He said it with such seriousness that I thought he was telling the truth. But once he giggled, I knew he was joking around.

"Oh, ha ha," I mocked. "So funny. You're hilarious."

"Aww, come on, Mel. I was just joking around."

"I know," I said, and turned my head away from him. "You've just hurt my feelings is all." I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.

Devon whimpered. "Now I feel terrible."

I jerked my head over to him, frantically saying, "So was I, I-"

He laughed. That motherfucker.

"Screw you," I said, unable to stop myself from laughing.

He shrugged with a smirk. "I'm just a really funny guy."

"You may be funny, but you're more of an asshole," I smirked back.

A part of me was worried he was going to take it the wrong way, but he thankfully didn't. He just chuckled as he leaned forward again. "When's the date?"

"This Saturday."

"Great. I'm looking forward to it."

I said goodbye and walked away, but Devon called out to me before I could. "At the end of October, there's going to be a Billy Joel tribute concert outside in the backyard. If you're up for it, do you want to go?"

A Billy Joel tribute concert. It was the closest I was probably ever going to get to actually seeing him perform, so I was down. "I'd love to. Text me when we're closer to the date."

"Sounds good."

"See you Saturday."

"I'll text you before then."

"I'm looking forward to it." I didn't care that I said it out loud. His excited grin made it worth the embarrassment.