It All Started With A Deal

Chapter 3

Maybe This was a Bad Idea

"No way!" Taylor scoffed.

"That's so cute," Lilly sighed.

Athena swooned. "I can't believe it."

"He actually did that?" Veronica questioned.

I had just told the four of them all about what happened between me and Liam, or at least the version Liam and I agreed to tell people. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, everything Athena had said to me about Liam finally sunk in and I figured it was now or never and just went for it. Liam told me he felt the same and kissed me on the football field.

"I seriously can't believe you had the guts to do that!" Taylor exclaimed. Taylor was the baddie of our friend group. Her short blond hair matched her signature leather jacket and dozens of piercings perfectly. No shocker here, scaring people was her favorite pastime.

"It's true love!" Lilly, with a dreamy look in her eyes, leaned her head on Taylor's shoulder. Lilly was the soft baby of the friend group and Taylor was her ultimate protector. Lilly wore one of her favorite outfits including a yellow, baggy sweatshirt with her long brown hair pulled into a bun.

"Man, that's like some movie-level stuff right there," Veronica chuckled. Veronica was the rebel of the friend group. She never followed the rules and her favorite medium was spray paint. Her hair was dyed a deep black fading to a fiery red, which she did herself, and her bold, extravagant eye shadow made her whole demeanor pop.

"Okay, I hate to ruin the moment but," Athena began, "are you sure Liam's not just using you as his rebound?"

I internally snickered. I was far worse than his rebound. "Definitely not, Liam doesn't seem like the kind of guy to use a girl like that," I covered.

Athena nodded slowly. "I don't know...it seems awfully suspicious."

I figured it was a good time to drop a mention of our upcoming double date. "Well, I have an idea, you could come on a double date with me and Liam."

She frowned. "Who would I go with?"

The rest of our friends watched us with great intensity. "I have someone in mind."

Athena shook her head. "I can't date anyone else. What about Sam?"

"I have gone on thirty-seven blind dates, you're going on this one with me. If you don't like him by the end of the night, then you don't have to ever see him again."

Lilly joined in, "Come on, Athena, you should totally go!"

She pursed her lips, debating. "I don't know. What if Sam finds out?"

Veronica laughed. "Then let him! You've been fawning over that guy since seventh grade. Maybe him seeing you move on will finally get him to realize what he's missing out on."

Taylor nodded. "Actually, she's right, maybe if he sees that you're dating other people, he'll finally make a move."

That got Athena's attention. She would do anything to get Sam to notice her. They had been best friends since seventh grade and talked all the time. Athena was sure he had to have some kind of feelings for her but he never made a move. Athena took a slow and controlled breath. "Okay, I'll go."

I grinned, my plan working perfectly. "Great! I'll tell Liam."

I pulled out my phone and scrolled down to Liam's contact. I typed a quick message.

Me: Athena's in! The first step of our plan is complete.

Liam replied almost instantly.

Liam: perfect i'm having trouble convincing sam but ill make sure he's there.