Chapter 9- It's A Date
Kim's POV
I'm sitting in English class, bored out of my mind. No Asher to make me laugh, no Katie to chit chat with. Only Spencer to stare at. Lucky me, I sit one row away from him, but one seat behind. So he doesn't know I'm looking at him like a creepy stalker. I stare at the clock, counting down the last two minutes of class.
"Alright class. Tonight you're to finish your reports about Charles Dickens. At least six pages, all facts, and everything must be cited!" Mr. Bass ordered, reminding those foolish people that they indeed need to cite their papers. Amateurs.
Everyone in the room groans unpleasantly. I smile to myself, pleased that I have already finished my essay. I think I did an exemplary job, if I do say so myself. I even went above and beyond and wrote eight and a half pages. Everyone else has probably not even started it yet. I start gathering my books while watching the clock, counting down the last thirty seconds. I take another look at Spencer, watching him packing his bag away.
*Ring, Ring, Ring*
The second I hear the bell ring, I jump out of my seat, heading to the door. English is my favorite subject, but it's the most stressful subject, "Finish Mr. B's paper yet?" A husky voice asked me from behind.
Turning around smiling, Spencer approached, talking to me! Me, of all people! My heart thumps against my chest and my stomach flutters with butterflies. "Oh, uh yeah, I did! You?" I babble.
"I knew you would." He comments with a little side chuckle, "I'm getting there. It's a pain in the ass." We both laugh lightly as Spencer follows me to my locker. He leans against the other lockers, just like Asher does when he talks to me, I observe, as I start spinning the combination for my locker.
"I understand, some essays can be tricky. Last week, I spent five hours in front of my laptop typing out the significance of Napoleon," I frown, as I put my books away and exchange them for others. "History is tough to write because after you have all the facts and stories explained there's not much else to say. Whereas, in stories we read in English, you can talk about experiences, connections, opinions, essential thoughts-" I stop talking when I catch Spencer staring at me intently with his mouth slightly ajar. Nerd alert. Asher's voice sings in my head in warning. I blush shaking my head at my stupid rambling, "Sorry, I sound boring and nerdy." I admit, tucking my hair behind my ear.
You can take away the glasses, braces, frizzy hair and seventeen extra pounds but you can't take the knowledge of a nerd away. Sometimes being smart comes with its challenges, like not being able to talk properly to a guy or hold a real and entertaining conversation.
"No, no, not boring at all; just really interested in what you have to say. You're totally right. I like the way you think; very similar to what I believe." Spencer admits, trying to assure me that I didn't screw things up. I'm only slightly relieved.
I grin, closing my locker as I hold my text books tightly against my chest for my next classes, "It's just once I get talking I just completely start to ramble off all my thoughts and it doesn't help when I'm nervous and some people benignly remind me of these things so it doesn't happen but then it does happen and then if you don't stop me I'll just ramble off on a totally different subject and then that leads to-"
"Leads to what you're doing right now?" Spencer interrupts with a laugh of amusement. I don't mind though. I grin, nodding my head without saying a word in case I go off again. "It's not a bad thing. It's... enamoring."
My eyes widen at his choice of words, flattered as well, "I'm impressed. That's a very interesting adjective. You use that with all the girls." I banter, as we walk the halls together.
He chuckles, waving his hand to someone across the hall before responding, "I've got to keep up with such an intelligent girl," he compliments, "And I only use the fancy words when I'm trying to impress a girl." he winks.
I blush, walking up the stairs, and holding my books tighter to my chest. Is Spencer Grey flirting with me? "Well color me impressed." I admit with a promising smile.
He smiles too, his hazel eyes specked with a glowing green. "I'm actually very curious about something," he mentions, looking a bit conflicted.
"What about?" I wonder, thinking maybe I could help him out.
"I was wondering what you could possibly be doing this weekend since we will have no English paper to write, and Mr. Ford's essay isn't due until before Thanksgiving break? So you shouldn't give me the excuse that you have to write an essay," he asked as if it were that casual an explanation.
I didn't want to get ahead of myself, but I couldn't think of a different way to rephrase what I was about to say next, "Is this your way of asking if I'm free think weekend to hang out with you?" I question, feeling a bit nauseous in the inside, but in a good way. Nauseous because I'm excited but nervous and also because freaking Spencer Grey is practically asking me to hang out, alone, with him, on the weekend!
He chuckles lightly, stopping when I do in front of my trig class, "It's exactly what I'm trying to ask." he clarifies, "So, what do you say? This Friday with little ole, non-extraordinary me? I'll try to make it worth your time." he bargains, moving out of the way so people could get into the class.
I'm baffled to say at the least. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong but Spencer Grey, the kid I've been having a crush on since high school is now finally asking me on a date?! Am I in some Nicholas Spark book or movie? Could I somehow still be sleeping? Have I lost my mind? Clearly, I have, because the next thing I say made me want to throw myself off a bridge.
"I-I have... Glasses." I stutter, still in shock. "Sometimes I eat chocolate in bed and- and watch movies alone to cry and I had braces and when I get out of the shower I still have the same frizzy hair from Jr High-"
"Trying to unconvinced me isn't going to work out. New tactic, but not good enough," he sighs, with an unapproved frown that's clearly meant to be rhetorical and playful. The corner of his lips turn to a grin, "I had braces too. Sucked, I couldn't eat popcorn or laffy taffy; damn."
In my overwhelming state, I blink several times before speaking, "You don't care?" I question a bit timidly.
He shrugs shaking his head, slightly confused, "Why should I? That's not what's important," he states.
I tell the nerd side of myself to shut up and stop making a fool of myself so I could be that confident girl that I was three minutes ago and appreciate that freaking Spencer Grey, doesn't care about my faint flaws and still wants to take me out on a date. Tell me, someone, I dare you, say this guy isn't perfect. If you do you are wrong, totally and utterly wrong! That embarrassing nerd side of me just won't shut up and leave, "You're perfect." I whisper in the calmest mumble that probably would define me as creepy.
In my embarrassing moment, Spencer chuckles and I pray to the big man in the sky that he didn't hear me. I dash into the room, blushing like crazy. I need to surgically implant a filter in my brain. Who the hell tells a boy he's perfect when you barely ever talk? After the wave of overwhelming washes away and I had put my books down on my desk, I then realized that I made another idiot and foolish mistake.
Rushing back to the door I can only hope Spencer is still there and hasn't left yet. Surely, he's leaning against the wall near the door with a smile on his face that melts my insides, "You may have forgot to give me an answer," he tells me with a playful face of uncertainty.
"I forgot to give you an answer." I repeat feeling so flustered. I grin shyly, nodding my head as an answer. He raises an eyebrow, like he doesn't understand, "Yes." I say aloud, confirming his plan.
"Really? Because I had braces, and I snore and I have a slight video game and movie obsession and I have a really bad habit of clicking my pen when I'm bored." I laugh at his mockery as he copies me in listing his flaws, as minor as they are.
"Nice try. You can't get rid of me now. A plan is a plan." I tell him seriously, but with an excited smile on my face.
"It's a date then." He confirms, biting down his lower lip as he walks away.
It's. A. Fucking. Date. I stand at the door, mouth hanging open as he walks to his class, probably getting there late since the bell will ringing any time now. Spencer Grey just asked me out on a date! Is this real life?!
I spin the dial on my lock for the final time today, a smile spread wide on my face that hasn't left at all. This day couldn't get any better. Spencer Grey has asked me out on a date. Something that I have been dreaming for since freshman year! No one can ruin my mood, and I mean no one.
"Whoa people, gather around for a party because either Kimmy Taylor has had sex or she just won a million dollars." Asher chuckles, leaning against the lockers next to me with a smile on his own face. My smile falters slightly, looking around in hope that people did not just hear that. Disturbing Asher, really. "What put a smile on your face, Kimmy?" Asher asks after I scowled at him for his comment and swapped out the final notebook.
"Not a what, but a who." I correct, the smile returning back on my face.
His dark blue eyes narrow at me carefully, "Mrs. Clemens gave you an A in physics?" Asher guesses wrongly.
I shake my head, "Of course not, I wish though." I say, shutting my locker as I follow him down the halls. If I have to get an A in physics my life would be the end as we know it. Acing physics is like asking Asher or my brother to create a working time machine. Impossible. For me at least.
"Then who put that smile on your face? Cause clearly I didn't." Asher asks again, his football bag hitting the back of my leg as we're walking to the closest exit near the football field.
"You want to know what happened to me today? It's probably one of the happiest days in my high school life by far." I begin to say, he nods his head eagerly, holding the door open to step outside. "So today after English class, Spencer followed me to my locker and we we're talking about essays and stuff, and I kind of realized I was being a nerd. Thanks to you I am now self-esteem issues because I felt as if I were embarrassing myself in front of him and all I kept thinking was 'nerd alert'-"
"You're rambling." Asher warns, "Can we get to the part where you answer the question?" he reminds me, waving his hands in a forward motion.
I take a deep breath and let it out, "Spencer asked me out on a date." I finally tell him with a grin on my face. "This Friday." I add, replaying the conversation in my mind so the smile could appear on my face again.
"You're going to miss my game?" Asher said after a long pause, "What's so great about the guy anyways, I mean, since when have you liked him? The guy helps you in a few physics problems and thinks he can ask you out on a date? Kim, Spencer is-"
"I thought you'd be happy for me?" I interrupt, looking at him critically, "Why can't you be excited for me about this? And since when did I have to drop everything I do on Friday nights to go see your games? I don't even like football Ash, I don't even know what's going on. I'm missing one game, so I can go on a date with a guy I've really like since freshman year, and you're making it about you?" I argue with him, slightly taken back at his approach at my news.
"You don't even know the guy." Asher chuckles faintly and nervously, "You rather be with him on a Friday night than me?"
"You mean go out on a real date with a guy that has the guts and decency to ask me out rather than stand by myself in a crowd of high school students, seven o'clock at night, in the freezing cold, cheering you on even though I have no clue what's happening in front of my own eyes?" I correct for him without hesitation to how my tone may have come out. "Yeah, I rather be on a date for the first time in years, with a guy I actually have feelings for and not someone who's trying to use me or just wants to be friends."
What I really wanted to say, what I would have said years ago; at least the guy has the guts to ask me out unlike you. At least the guy, Spencer, notices me more than a friend. At least I'm not being friend zoned or the side chick. At least I'm going out on a date and not just screwing people around. At least someone cares more for me than just being a friend. At least he's doing everything you never did and probably will never do. That's what I really wanted to say, and that's what I would have said years ago, or if I had the courage to tell him that once upon a time I had feelings for him. Feelings that went beyond than just being best friends.
I had to learn the hard way. I let go of the possibility of being more than friends. I had a broken heart. I went through a "break up" without really being in a relationship. Because as crazy as it sounds, yes, I Kimberly Ann Taylor had a massive crush on my best friend Asher Michael Knight. Then people change. You realize that your wants and needs are different than others and that the possibility of things are just hopes, chances, and wishes on a shooting star or a request on 11:11.
"I just don't want you going out with that guy!" Asher exclaims, as we're stopped on the side of the football field. I'm still surprised, as he talks freely and bluntly about me not wanting to go out on a date with Spencer. Which is also none of his concern or business to tell me if I can or cannot.
I shook my head, appalled, hurt, that he would tell me this, "You don't even know the guy." I accuse.
"I know way more about him than you will ever know." He tells me as a matter of fact. I'm sure he really doesn't and he's saying things in heat of the discussion.
"I can't believe you. You're supposed to be my best friend!" I shout, feeling as though he had control of my happiness. "Can't you just be happy for me?" I ask him, feeling my heart ache.
"I am your best friend. I'm the best friend that's protecting you! For all you know, he just wants to get into your pants!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air in exaggeration.
Now, I'm angry. How dare he compare Spencer, or any guy, to him just because he gets into every girls pants and believes that's every guy's intention or way. "Not everyone is like you Asher!" I argued. For a split second, I saw a familiar expression that I've seen Asher with before. Hurt. I hurt him by just telling him the mere truth of his life. But you know what? He hurt me too, and he doesn't care to notice that. "You know what, thanks. Thank you Asher! Thanks for being the best friend I need, thanks for being here for me and supporting me and actually being happy for me. I'm so sorry that I'm going to miss one of your games to go on a date that I've been looking forward to. And I'm sorry you don't approve, but you know what? You're not the one going out on this date. But thank you very fucking much for overly protecting me and being my best friend." I say a little louder than my normal tone of voice, sarcastically.
In the moment, I see the realization flash through his eyes, knowing how actually hurt and angry I am. The sad part though, he didn't do anything about it. He let me turn and walk away. I didn't want him to chase after me like I'm those romantic chick flicks, I actually wanted to be alone, or at least away from him.
Walking out of the schools perimeter, I kicked the rocks angrily sending them flying away. Asher, being my ride home, is now no longer the option. I took my phone out of my back pocket, typing in Katie's number while whipping the single tear out of the corner my eye. In three rings, she picked up her phone will a cheery hello.
I say her name in normal tone, not matching her happiness that I once was filled with fifteen minutes ago, "Katie."
"Yes, dear, what shall I assist you in today?" she ask, in a mockery of a faking a British accent.
"Can we get together, you know, talk?" I sniffed, whipping another tear. Dammit! Stop crying, there's no need to cry!
She suddenly realized the change in my voice and quickly rushed and babbled through the phone. "Yeah, yeah, sure! Are you still at school?" she asks.
"Yeah I'm in the back parking lot." I reply, crushing a leaf with my shoe.
"Alright, I'll meet you there in a few minutes. I'm in the computer lab with Brittany and Abby doing some yearbook things." she tells me, and I can hear her shoes click in the empty halls ways.
"Oh, if you're busy you don't-"
"Nonsense! You need me and I'm here for you," she insists.
"Thanks Katie," I grin, even though she can't see me. "I'll be sitting on the rock when you come out," I tell her, walking the few yards to the destination.
The side door of the school opens and out comes Katie with her phone still to her ear. She looks at me, shrugging her shoulder with a smile, "Found you." I grin, hanging up and the phone and waiting for her to come over. "Hey, you OK?" she asks as she takes a seat on my right.
"No." I admit softly, shaking my head and looking at her concerned face, "Ash and I had a fight," I said bluntly, releasing a sigh as I pull on the sleeves of my jacket.
"About what?" she asked frantically, pulling her straight blond hair away from her face. I told her the whole story from the minute Spencer talked to me after English to the end when I walked away from Asher and called her.
She 'Ohhed ', 'awed' and cursed from time to time and was extremely happy when I told her that Spencer asked me out on a date. Katie's known from the start that I have a crush on Spencer. She was the first and only to know.
"Oh my God, Kim! He asked you out on a date!" she squealed and screamed, hugging my side tightly in excitement.
I laughed with her lightly, pulling my coat closer to my body as a fierce autumn wind passed by us. I hope it snows soon I love the snow. "I know." I smile, "At least someone is excited and happy with me." I tell her.
"Asher is a guy, he doesn't react the same way as girls do. He's like that dad that doesn't want his little girl to grow up. He's just not used to you going out on dates and having other guys in your life." Katie explains to me. "He's probably jealous or scared that you're going to leave him for Spencer or something. You're the only girl he treats with respect. I mean the guy freakin' loves and adores you. You two have been best friends since Kindergarten for crying out loud." I understand what Katie is telling me, and I'm not saying she wrong because maybe that is the case.
"But I wouldn't do that to him." I tell her with such honestly.
"I know that, but does he know that?" Katie says.
"I wouldn't do that to Asher, you know that. Katie, you know that." I remind her, hinting out my past feelings that she also knew about.
"I know, I know. You loved him at one point and that's all on you. You should have told him that from the start, and now it's really too late because he's in deep in this whole player act." she reminds me with a frustrated sigh, "Asher shouldn't have acted that way because if you were to act that way every time he goes around screwing girls left and right, or making out with them, then you guys wouldn't even be friends because of all the fights you'd be in. And what he does and what you're doing are two very differently things." she shakes her head and waves her hands in the air, "What I'm trying to get at is, you two need to be open with your actual feelings and not beat around the bush or ignore the elephant in the room. Asher reaction was totally bizarre, but I'm happy for you."
I settle my elbows on my knees and fold my hands so that I could rest my chin in my hands, "It's all in the past now Katie. I moved on. I accepted the fact that Asher and I will always be friends, and that's just how it's always going to be."
"If that's what you need to tell yourself," she mumbles and sighs, "Can we talk about what you're going to wear on your date?" she squeals happily, tapping her feet rapidly on the rock, not able to contain her excitement.
"Ugh, should I still go on this date?" I grumble, unsure of everything now. The last thing I want is Asher upset with me.
"Of course you should!" Katie exclaims, nudging my shoulder, "You already said yes. Don't let Asher change your mind. You guys are best friends you're going to forgive each other and make up. He just needs to be assured that he's not being replaced or forgotten and he needs to get used to the fact that you're going to date guys. He can't control your relationships," she informs me with a certainty and understandable explanation.
"You're right." I confirm, folding my hands together. She's right. I can't let Ash make my decisions. "This is something I've been waiting and dreaming for, for the longest time and it's finally happening. I'm going out on my date with Spencer Grey and I'm going to enjoy myself!" I proclaim.
"Yes! That's my girl!" Chants Katie as she hugs my side. "Now what are you going to wear?!" she asks, smiling to me.
"I don't know? I don't want to wear a dress because I don't know where we're going and if it's outside, I'll freeze my butt off." I rationalize. It is autumn we're talking about here. The season for shorts, skirts, and dresses are tucked away deep in the closet until next year.
"Oo! What about something dressy, but something casual. Like a blouse and dark jeans. Fancy boots! You have to wear fancy boots!" she insisted. I laughed at her, remembering her frenzy with fancy boots last winter. Last year, she went crazy with all different types, brands, and styles of boots. By the end of the winter, she had bought a total of fourteen different pairs of boots!
"OK, I'll wear fancy boots," I assured her.
"I have the perfect pair you can borrow! And you have to wear the purple blouse I got you for your birthday!" she orders me, "And maybe you can put on makeup!" she gasps happily, clapping her hands in excitement. She looks just as happy as me.
"I think this is an acceptable time to wear makeup." I agree. I didn't wear makeup too often and when I do it's very natural looking and light. It's not like I need to glam up for school. "Come over my house after school Friday?" I asks.
Nodding her head she squeals in delight, "Deal!"
I smile, hugging her side and resting my head on her shoulder, "Oh Katie, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"God only knows, you'll probably die without me." She giggles, throwing her arm over my shoulder.
After a long peaceful moment and several winds assign us to make us shiver and shake in our boots I stand up ready to get some pace warm, "Let's go inside. I'm going inside. It's freezing out here." I comment going back to the school.
"I agree with you there." Katie responds following me.
"Oh, by the way, I need a ride home later." I tell her with a hopeful smile.
"Anything for you Kimmy kins." she replies, throwing her arm around me. My loving best friend, I don't know where I'd be without her. She's like the sister I've never had and I'm grateful to have her in my life just as much as Asher. My two rocks, my best friends for eternity.
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