“C’mon. You’ve been holding this off for the whole day!” Claire cried. “He’s right there! Now c’mon!”
Jessica squealed as she struggled against her friends’ iron grips. Inch by inch they dragged her toward Lance, who had his back turned to them.
“Please…not now…” she pleaded.
“Don’t be a baby,” Jada said, trying to hide her smile. “The sooner you do this, the sooner it’s over.”
Jessica broke out into another round of pleas, but this time, Lance heard and turned around.
Her heart pounded hard and fast, and her insides churned so much it hurt. Next she knew her friends forced her to her feet, almost pushing her over. She looked back and glared.
“Hey Claire…Jada…Kate…Ally,” he smiled and nodded. “Jessica.”
She bit her lip and her brown eyes dropped to the ground. “Hey,” she said softly, heat creeping up her cheeks.
Kate sensed her uneasiness and said, “Uh Jessie wants to ask you something.”
The rest of them giggled and left.
Lance looked at Jessica, wondering what was going on.
“Ok I’m outta here,” JC muttered, walking away.
Lance decided to chance it. “Ahem Jessica?”
She took a breath. “Um…Lance?”
He smiled. She never really spoke to him, let alone stutter. “Yeah?”
“I…uh…do you…I…” she sighed deeply. “Are you doing anything Friday?”
He blinked. His heart suddenly beat faster. “What?”
Her eyes darted to the ground. “Of course, if you don’t want to then-”
“No! No. It’s not that,” Lance interrupted. “It’s just kinda surprising, that’s all.”
“Oh. Um…do you want to, then?” she asked softly, growing uncomfortable.
“Yeah. I do. On Friday?”
She nodded.
“What do you wanna do?” Lance asked.
“Anything that you wanna do I guess.”
He smiled and nodded, for he had dreamed of this moment since freshman year, so the plan was already worked out in his head. “Alright then. I’ll pick you at around 7 is that ok?”
Jessica smiled slightly and said, “That would be fine.”
Lance smiled. “See you then.”
“Yeah.” She looked out and saw the shadows of guys come up, and she knew football practice was over. “I’ll see you in 2 days then.” She turned around and walked as fast as she could without being conspicuous.
‘Note to self: kill Ally.’