"Take Plum to the dance," He finally responded as they reached the steps of the school. They didn't have class together, so they couldn't keep on talking and Chris needed an explanation for his answer. Take Plum to the dance? That sounded like the worst thing he could do to fix this mess!

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, take her to the dance. What I'm going to say now is totally awful, but it'll help: take her to the dance because trying to clear up things with Beth right now'll be hard since she won't listen to you man, to be honest. Then at the dance, tell her. Talk to her." Wallow left him with those words as he made his way to P.E.

Chris didn't call out to him because he was thinking too much over what Wallow had told him. Plum was a stellar girl, and it wouldn't be okay to set her up like. But what if he told her what his intentions were? She couldn't get mad, right? He still felt guilty about what he was doing, but if that was what he had to do, and then he could deal with it.

Once in English, Chris had passed a note to Plum asking if he could sit with her at lunch again today. A small nod and smile from her told him what he needed to know.

After they had gotten their lunches, situated themselves at the table, and began to talk about things from school, Chris decided that he would get to the heart of the matter.

"Hey Plum, I really thought about what you had asked me yesterday, and I decided that I'll go to winter ball with you." Chris didn't exactly feel enthusiastic, but he tried to sound as much as he could for her sake.

"Oh, that's wonderful news! I didn't think you would respond in exactly one day, but I am glad." She smiled as brightly as she did yesterday, and he knew that it would be hard to let her down, but he had to.

But what happened next made it nearly impossible to explain to her why he said yes.

And it was because she kissed him, full frontal.

The kiss was incredibly chaste, and when Plum pulled back, he could still taste her coconut Chap Stick on his lips. He didn't mean to, but his face turned as red as s tomato and Plum laughed. He turned to see if anyone in the lunchroom had seen it, but for the most part, nobody did. The half that did, he didn't really know the people so he could care less. To add to his infortune, he turned and locked eyes with Beth.

Instead of looking angry like he thought she would, she just looked immensely sad and it made his heart ache. She turned back towards the girls she was sitting with before he could open his mouth.

Even though the kiss would make it difficult to tell Plum, he now knew he had to tell her.

"Plum, I am going to the dance with you, but it isn't for the reason that you think it is," Chris said in one breath, hoping that she wouldn't interrupt him.

"Ah, what is it?" Plum blinked rapidly before nodding slowly, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I-uh- really like Beth," He got out, trying to read her face as he talked.

"Well why don't you ask her to the dance?" She sounded honestly curious.

"She- well, I did try to, don't get me wrong. But when I had asked her after you and I had talked yesterday, she thought I asked her out of pity. I just want her to- honestly, I just want her. That's all I've wanted since we were kids." He felt like such a sucker for confessing all of this to a girl that had asked him to the dance. But somehow, someway, he knew that Plum could help him out somehow.

"Chris, you should have told me earlier when I had talked to you," She replied sternly, wagging her finger. She took a swig of her milk before she continued. "It's terrible that Beth thinks that-I would never hurt my friend." She sounded sad.

"And that's why I want to fix this; so she doesn't have any hard feelings with us." Chris sounded animated now that he knew Plum felt the same way that he did.

"I don't mind if you go to the dance with her- I can talk to her if that's what you want?" She began to get up from her seat, but Chris immediately pulled her down.

"The thing is, she's already going with Danny," He told her as he sat her back down. Plum looked absolutely stunted as she thought over what they could do.

"So what's your plan?"

"I was thinking that I could still take you to the dance-if you don't mind- and tell her there that I really like her and never meant to hurt her." He folded his hands in front of himself and waited patiently for her response. He was utterly grateful for how understanding and kind she was. He definitely had to repay her somehow.

Plum nodded before responding. "Why at the dance, though? Why not somewhere more private?" She mimicked his stance, but not out of malice. It was more of a way to understanding where he was getting at.

"I guess to show her I didn't ask her out of pity? And it's a bit more dramatic and I really have to make an impression, you know?"

Plum looked deep in thought and Chris could hear the ticking of the analog clock, the sound reminding him how much time they had left.

"So will you help me?" His voice was so hopeful for a sixteen year old boy that Plum had to take another pause before answering.

"I must admit that I am hurt that you don't really want to go to the dance with me, and that you only want to use me for your convenience." She pursed her lips as she saw him hang his head guiltily. Plum knew that was his way to apologize for his wrongdoings, and she took what she could get.

"But, both you and Beth were meant to be together, so I will help you in your romantic endeavors." She smiled genuinely, her eyes crinkling at the sides. She put her hand over his comfortingly, and they decided that they would talk to each other to figure out their plan.

They had to talk outside of school so Beth wouldn't assume that they were up to no good. When they had exchanged numbers, they were sure that everything would be okay. Everything would be sorted out, and Beth could finally smile.

At least, that was what they hoped.

...

because I'm selfish as heck, 12 reviews = next update