Between Two

Chapter 33

I looked at Matthew, feeling the awkwardness between us. Tara's dad had called her to bring him something from the kitchen since he was barbecuing in the backyard. We haven't uttered a single word to one another since she left and I blame her. If she hadn't asked that question then I'm sure it wouldn't be awkward.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" He winced after he asked the question, but I pretended not to notice since it got rid of some the awkward tension.

"No, what about you?" His brows furrowed, a playful smile forming on his face.

"I don't have a boyfriend, I don't play that way." I grimaced, averting my gaze away from him while he chuckled.

"I'm just messing with you, Avi, I know what you mean. And no, I don't have a girlfriend." He gave me a sincere smile and I just smiled back because I didn't know what else to say.

I glanced down at the ground, random topics shifting through my mind. "So... do you play any sports?" I mentally cringed at my basic question but hoped that it would get us somewhere.

"Yeah, I actually do. I was part of the baseball team at my last high school. What about you?" My nose scrunched up and I slowly shook my head.

"Nope, I am not sporty at all." He slightly chuckled, looking up at the back door just as Tara skipped in.

"What have you two been talking about?" She suggestively wiggled her eyebrows at me and I smiled, shaking my head at her.

Matthew smiled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "What we were doing wasn't really considered talking." I rolled my eyes, flipping Tara off while she laughed.

"Wait, so will you be attending the same school as me and Tara?" I glanced at the back door as Tara's dad walked in, holding a pair of tongs.

He gave me a slight nod, his gaze momentarily going to Tara. "Does the school have a talent show? I remember you two would always do the talent show in middle school." My cheeks immediately reddened as Tara started jumping up and down, her eyes wide.

"Oh my god! I totally forgot about the talent show, Avi! Remember—awww, we used to do an act every year since elementary too! We should do this years talent show." I bit the inside of my cheek, shaking my head because I wouldn't be able to take the embarrassment and I was way too self conscious now.

"Come on, Aviana! It was our tradition, we have to do it! Dad, remember our talent show acts!?" Mr. Sanchez looked up at her then turned his gaze on me, a small smile flitting across his face.

"Yeah, I also remember the year you sprained your ankle during your act. I still have the video." That didn't deflate Tara's happy mood and instead, it only caused her smile to widen.

"Aviana! We should re-do that act!" Both Mr. Sanchez and I shared a look before turning back towards Tara.

"Tara, I don't want a repeat of you spraining an ankle and-"

"I won't this year! We have to do it!" I shifted my weight, looking towards Matthew for help, but he just smiled in amusement.

"Um... we don't even know if there's going to be a talent show." She groaned, staring at the ground.

"Well, if there is, then we have to do it." I refrained from rolling my eyes, wishing Matthew never brought up the talent shows we used to do.

"If there is one, I'll think about doing it, okay?" She pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes before giving in.

"All right, but I'm going to try to convince you." I smiled because I knew there was no way in hell she'd be able to convince me. I'm never going to do a talent show again.

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"Where the hell is Chris?" I shrugged, looking towards the bleachers while Tara looked over at the band.

There were quite a few people from the cheer and dance team on the football field, which was odd. "Aviana!" I looked up, frowning when I saw Jonah start jogging over to me.

During class, I never brought up the fact that I saw him kissing Emma and it was something I didn't ever want to bring up. It bothered me more than it should have and I didn't want him to know that it bothered me. Tara looked up and down the field while I stared up at Jonah, not understanding why he seemed so nervous.

He blew out a breath and I took my eyes off him for a moment as Tara started motioning towards the marching band. "Avi, can you come with me for a second?" I bit my lip, noting the way Tara kept opening and closing her mouth, pointing at the band as they started to get into formation.

"Uh... Chris told me to wait for him here, though." Jonah sighed, looking around while Tara started telling me the dance and cheer team were starting to get in line with one another too.

"It won't take that long, please?" I shrugged, starting to follow after him until I heard someone singing through the speakers around the football stadium.

"Ahhh, oh my gosh, Aviana!" I jumped at Tara's shrilling voice and turned towards her while Jonah grabbed my hand to pull me after him.

"Aviana! It's Chris! He's pulling a Patrick Verona!" I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at the bleachers as I saw Chris singing into a microphone.

"Huh? What is he pulling?" Jonah questioned me and I covered my mouth to keep the wide smile off my face as Chris sang Can't Keep My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli.

"Patrick Verona from the movie 10 Things I Hate About You." I quietly murmured it as the cheer and dance team started to do a routine.

I started laughing, shaking my head as Chris started running across the bleachers away from security guards. He created the scene exactly from the movie, minus the routine the cheerleaders and dance team were performing. 

I glanced at Tara, smiling at her when I saw her recording. "Why is he doing this?" She laughed, looking my way.

"I have no idea." Chris started making his way down the bleachers to me as he started singing the last few lyrics of the song. 

When he got to me and finished singing the song, I raised an eyebrow at him and he smiled brightly, holding the microphone close to his mouth. "There aren't 10 Things I hate About You, but there are 10 Things I Like About You and 10 Things on why you should go to the Winter Formal with me." My mouth slightly dropped open and I quickly closed it, trying to mask the shock as he pointed to the cheer team who was now holding up a huge poster with ten things on why I should go with him.

"So, Aviana Presley, will you go to the Winter Formal with me?" I bit back the smile that was taking over my face, looking at the dance team who was holding up another poster with the things he liked about me along with a bouquet of flowers.

There was no way in hell I could say no to him, especially with the way he planned everything and recreated the scene from my favorite movie. I smiled brightly, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.

"Yes, I would love to go to the Winter Formal with you." His eyes brightened and he pulled me into his arms, lifting me off the ground and spun around.

I laughed, wrapping my arms around him and I shook my head as he put me down. "She said yes!" Everyone started cheering while I rolled my eyes, teasingly pushing him back by his shoulder.

I looked away and my smile slightly faltered as I watched Jonah walk away. Instead of letting it bother me, I turned back towards Chris and accepted the flowers from one of the girls on the dance team. Tara motioned for me to stand next to Chris so she could take a picture and I smiled, leaning into his side as he wrapped his arm around my waist. This was the first time someone has ever asked me to a dance, let alone planned a whole proposal. It was sweet and no words could describe how happy Chris made me in this moment.