Disclaimer: The world and characters of the Ever Afters Series belong to Shelby Bach, not me. (Unfortunately)
I slid my hands through my hair again. I couldn't ask her this! She was my best friend! What if she said no? It would be so awkward! She might never speak to me again! She-
"Chase? Are you okay? You look pale and you're sweating. It's 70 degrees in here!" I whirled around so fast I almost took Rory's head off. She stared at me, concerned.
"Ummm," I started but my mind blanked.
"Should I take you to Gretel?" I shook my head. "Then what's the matter?" She was really confused now.
"Can I ask you a question?" She nodded. I took a deep breath and skidded my sweaty palms against my jeans. "By any chance- Umm, is it possible- Do you want to uhh, go to Lena's workshop and see how she's doing?" I mentally kicked myself for chickening out.\
"I just came from the workshop," she said slowly, starting at me.
"Oh, of course you did." There was an awkward silence while I racked my brain for something to say. "The weather is nice," I offered lamely. Seriously, Chase? The weather? Why don't you just tell her about your chess club meeting. I shook my head, disgusted with myself. Rory must have taken it the wrong way because she started to walk away. "Rory, wait!" I almost begged her.
She stopped and turned back toward me. It was now or never. I took another deep breath to calm myself.
"Doyouwanttogoonadate?" I blurted, trying to get it out as fast as I could.
She was silent and I thought for sure she would say no. Then she smiled. "Ofcouseyouidiot!" she joked, mocking me.
I was so relieved I just did there for a second staring at her. "Sooo," she said, breaking the silence. "When and where?"
When and where, when and where? I racked my brain. I hadn't actually thought this far ahead. I hadn't even thought she would say yes.
Sensing my thoughts, she asked, "You didn't even think this far ahead, did you?" When I didn't respond she laughed which gave me hope. "How about that pizza place near school tomorrow?"
"Sure!" I practically shouted from relief. "Ahem." I cleared my throat and continued at a lower volume. "So I'll pick you up at 6:30, Ms. Landon?"
"That sounds marvelous, Mr. Turnleaf," Rory answered, adopting a posh accent. Then an explosion racked the building and yellow smoke began pouring out from the direction of Lena's laboratory.
"We'd better see if she's okay," called Rory. She was already halfway across the Courtyard. As I ran after her, there was one thought on my mind, I was actually going on a date with Aurora Landon. I smiled to myself before holding my breath and running headfirst into whatever Lena had cooked up this time.