Philophobia

| chapter 3 |

To say I was nervous was a complete understatement. Not only was this track meet super important to me since it could take us to the next divisional race, but it also meant that Aaron would be there. Watching me. Run. Like a fat cow.

Okay, dramatic? Maybe. But, I totally have the right to feel this way. All day long I couldn't stop fidgeting and watching the clock. Lydia had to practically peel my eyes off of it because it began to drive her insane as well. I did feel a little better knowing that her, Joseph, and Jaxon would be there.

Lydia meets up with me before I go to the track and she could see the panic in my ghost white face.

"Girl, chill. You always do great in your meets and who cares if this one guy shows up? Don't let him make you nervous. You have the power. You are incredible and capable of anything. Show them what you're made of!" Lydia rattles me like I'm a saltshaker and I let out a shaky laugh.

"You're right, I'm just being dumb. I should go get ready, the team has to start stretching soon and coach will kill me if I'm late." I grab my bag and begin to walk towards the exit, but Joseph and Josh step in front of the doors, blocking my way.

"Uh, wait a second." Joseph says, while Josh keeps peeking outside through the window.

I look at them like they have two heads, "Guys, what are you doing? I have to get changed."

Lydia walks up behind me, a sneaky little grin masks her face. I turn to her and try to read what was going on here. A ding erupts from her phone and she reads the message. She looks at me and winks.

"Let her go guys." Joseph and Josh then open the doors for me, and I thank them, totally weirded out about the whole thing.

As soon as I step out, I am surprised with a giant poster that Ramon is holding that also has my name on it. Our track, baseball, and lacrosse team are all standing outside watching. I turn back and see Lydia recording this entire shenanigan. Joseph and Josh send me a huge thumbs up.

The poster read, "Emily, this idea has been running through my head; would you go to prom with me?"

I laugh, mostly because I feel awkward that everyone's attention is on me; but also, because Ramon went through all of this to make my day.

"Yes, I'll go to prom with you, you idiot." Ramon chuckles and goes for a hug, but I go for a high five instead.

"That was so cute" one girl says and another squeals, "They are totally dating, right?"

Dating? Me and Ramon? No, he's like my brother. Is that what people are going to think now? He was just trying to make me happy and bring me to prom. How does that seem romantic?

"So, no head?" Josh jokes and the boys laugh. Lydia and I roll our eyes and make our way to her car so I can put the poster away.

After my mini promposal, I have multiple team members keep coming up to me and bombarding me with questions about Ramon and I; they ask if we are dating and for how long. I start to become quite irritated every time I have to explain myself. I am honestly just trying to concentrate on the meet and not high school gossip. I change into the blue and white uniform and grab my sneakers to tie on outside since every girl is driving me up a wall.

Lydia was sitting talking to Joseph when I go outside and I sit down on the ground next to them. I begin to put my ankle brace on and tie my sneakers tight as can be. I didn't need to roll my ankle this meet.

"Em, your ass be popping in those shorts. Your tattoo looks beautiful too." Lydia compliments me and I reach behind to my shoulder blade, remembering I had just gotten my tattoo a couple months before after my break up.