The next day she had a proper Gym outfit. I liked her more in her clothes that made her stand out- she was the sort of person who was made to stand out. But at the same time, I was glad that the other boys didn't stare at her as much. Although Ben and Daniel's eyes still wandered to our court more than once.
She wasn't very talkative. I talked a lot, probably too much. I wanted to find out more about her, but I didn't know how to do so without looking like a stalker. So I talked about myself, hoping she would do the same. We didn't have as much time to sit and watch today, but even when we were on the court, I talked to her. The pair we were playing were pretty terrible, and it wasn't hard to talk when they were wasting time, trying to serve and passing balls to each other.
In the changerooms, Ben and Daniel were once again discussing Juniper.
"Next week man," Ben said, "I'm asking her out next week,"
I said nothing. I knew Juniper would say no if Ben did ask her out. She never even looked at him in Gym class, despite his best efforts to flex his muscles at every opportunity. If she said yes, it would just be out of politeness.
"Well, when you get rejected, I'll be waiting," Daniel said.
"Please, neither of you stand a chance," Clive said pompously.
Ben and Daniel looked at him.
"I saw her in the cafeteria the other day. Looking at Edward Cullen,"
Ben rolled his eyes.
"Shut up, you midget. She's not interested in the Cullen freak,"
"He's in her Biology class as well," Mike Newton offered.
Ben looked slightly concerned by this, then recovered.
"She's not into guys like him. She'll be into athletes. Like me," he puffed himself up to full height, heels lifting off the ground.
Even though I knew Juniper didn't like Ben or Daniel, or Edward Cullen either, it didn't make me feel any better. Because as far as I could tell, she didn't like me that way either.
Another new girl came to Forks High, Isabella Swan, and she was in my Gym class too. This stopped Mike Newton from looking at Juniper, but not Ben and Daniel- while they said that Isabella Swan was pretty, she wasn't 'model hot', like Juniper was.
Juniper seemed distracted today. She would occasionally look at Isabella, looking almost relieved. I couldn't work out what it meant.
"So, you have much homework?" I asked her.
"No, not really," she said, not really paying attention.
"Me neither," I said. "Just an english essay,"
"Yeah, me too," she said, still distracted.
I wondered if I'd said something wrong, to make her go all distant like this. Was I acting too desperate?
When I came to school the next day, I noticed Juniper riding in on her scooter behind me. She had her iPod in, and she looked like she was singing aloud, oblivious to people staring at her. Or maybe she just didn't care.
I parked and got out of my car. Should I go and talk to her? We'd never spoken outside Gym class.
I started to approach her. As I got closer I realized what she was wearing. She always looked good, but today she looked amazing. She didn't seem to care that it was freezing- her arms and legs were bare, in short denim shorts and a silver top with no straps. She was almost as tall as me in her black high heels.
She started walking towards the school building. I quickened my pace to catch up with her. Then I saw them. Ben, flanked by Daniel and three other football players, had walked up behind her. I slowed, not wanting to talk to her with them standing there. I was close enough to hear Ben as he spoke to her,
"Hi," he said.
She spun around. She looked worried. Which was fair enough- she was surrounded, after all, by guys she didn't know.
I watched Ben smile slowly, probably trying to look cool. I thought it looked creepy. But would Juniper see it like that? Maybe she thought it looked sexy?
She smiled back. Did she look wary, or was that my wishful thinking? Was she interested in them?
"You're Juniper, right?" Ben said.
"Yeah." she replied, cool as anything.
Ben nodded, trying to look thoughtful.
"Interesting name." he said.
He had said he was going to ask her out. Why he needed an entourage for this, I had no idea. But I wanted to be there anyway, to watch Juniper's reaction.
The guys nearer the back were mumbling to each other. Judging by what they were saying, they didn't think Juniper could hear them. But when I looked at Juniper's face, I knew she could.
"Man, she's hot." one of them said. I recognized him as Chace Bowen; another big, football guy.
"She's too short if you ask me." Tyler Wood, the fussiest guy ever.
"Nah, I like 'em short." Chace said.
"You just want someone easy to get on top of." Tyler replied.
There was soft laughter.
"That's not true. I just don't like tall girls. They're..." Chace trailed off.
"Who cares how tall she is? She's freaking sexy." Daniel put in.
"Dibs on asking her to prom." said the other guy. I thought it was Rob Davis.
"Fine. I'll take her to the Spring Dance." Daniel replied.
"It's girls choice, idiot."
"But by then she'll be so madly in love with me that she'll want to take me."
I looked at Juniper's face. She had heard everything. I instantly felt sorry for her.
"Can I help you with something?" she asked Ben. Her voice was cold.
Ben smiled, looking like a complete sleaze.
"We had just noticed that you didn't seem to have a lot of friends here. Wondering if you wanted a group to hang out with."
That was the line he was taking? Do you want a group to hang out with?
"I'm fine thank you." Juniper said, and turned around, ending the conversation.
She had looked fine when she spoke to them, but as she walked away I saw her face again, saw how truly upset she was. I wished I could comfort her, could hold her small body in my arms and tell her not to worry about them. But I'd never be able to do that.
Or could I? Could I ask her out?
Well, the obvious answer was yes. Nothing was stopping me. The question really was would I ask her out. Would I be brave enough. She seemed to like me. She always talked to me in Gym class. We were friends, or at least I thought so. Would it be so bad for a friend to ask another friend to the Spring Dance. Sure, it was girl's choice, but I could always just suggest we go together.
I could. I would. I would ask Juniper out.
I went off to first hour, hardly able to wait for Gym class.
When she walked into Gym, she looked a little worried. She forehead was creased slightly, and she walked slower than usual. Maybe today wasn't a good time to ask her. But I knew if I didn't, I never would.
"Hi Juniper," I said when she reached me.
"Hi," she said.
"I think we're playing basketball today." I said, more as something to say than anything else.
"Oh, good." I said. She seemed pleased. No doubt she was good at basketball too, although she was a little short for a basketball player.
We started doing a warm up drill. We all lined up to do lay ups. I stood behind her. This was my chance. I took a deep breath.
"So," I began. "Are you going to the Spring Dance?"
"I haven't really thought about it." she said. I couldn't tell from her tone what this meant.
"Do you want to go?" I asked, more carefully. I watched her face, trying to guess what she was thinking.
"Yes." she said without hesitation.
I paused, unsure what to say next.
"Who are you going with?" I asked. I could have slapped myself. That was so stalkerish and weird. She'd think I was a total freak.
"I don't know." she said. Her face didn't betray any emotion. She seemingly did not think I was a total stalker.
"Do I have to go with someone?" she asked.
I was surprised by this. I hadn't even thought about it, just assumed she'd go with someone. She had enough people wanting to take her...
"I suppose not." I said, "But everyone does."
"And I'll look like a loser if I don't." she finished.
I felt my cheeks warm, and hoped she hadn't noticed.
"I didn't mean that." I said, hoping I hadn't offended her.
"I know you didn't. But I know that's true." she said, smiling at me.
I got that warm, bubbly sensation I always got when she smiled at me, and for a moment I didn't know what to say. There was another awkward pause.
"I suppose I better ask someone then," she said. She looked at me strangely. Did she want me to ask her?
"Who are you going to ask?" Double slap. That was practically the same as my last stalker question. I felt my cheeks go hot again, and wished I could just run away and hide.
Juniper shrugged.
"I dunno. Don't know that many people," She looked away, and I thought for a moment her eyes were finding Ben in the crowd, but then they were focussed on me. Her green eyes looked straight into mine. I could get lost in those eyes- they were the prettiest shade of green I'd ever seen, so bright and beautiful.
"You wanna go with me?" she asked. Her voice was cool, slightly detached even. But it was still an invitation.
I tried to keep my voice as nonchalant as hers. But I couldn't control the excitement bubbling up inside me.
"Yeah, okay," I said. "That would be good,"
She smiled and turned away slightly. As soon as she wasn't looking, I permitted myself to grin widely.
I'd done it. I was going to the Spring Dance with Juniper.
I had first hour with Matt and Tom, and so I couldn't wait to tell them what I'd done. Especially Matt. He'd said that Juniper was out of my league; well, obviously she didn't think so. I was already imagining the Spring Dance, fantasizing about dancing with her, watching her perfect body move to the music...
"Hey Andy," Matt said as he walked into Spanish and dropped his books onto the table.
"Hi," I said.
Matt looked at me weirdly.
"Are you okay?" he asked me.
I realized I was grinning, and quickly closed my mouth.
"I'm fine," I said.
Tom walked in and sat down on Matt's other side.
"Hey guys," he said, "What's up with Andy?"
"Nothing's wrong with me," I said, "I'm just happy,"
Matt and Tom exchanged a look.
"What happened?" Matt asked warily.
I shrugged, trying to look cool, although I could feel my grin spreading across my face again.
"I'm going to the Spring Dance with Juniper," I said, and looked at them, waiting for their reaction. I suppose I should have been insulted that their faces were pure shock. But right then, I didn't care.
"She asked you?" Matt asked, amazed.
I nodded happily.
"Are you sure some senior wasn't standing behind you at the time?" Tom asked jokingly.
I laughed and shook my head.
Matt and Tom looked at each other.
"Wow," Matt said. He would have said more, but at that point Mrs. Goff walked in to start the lesson, and the conversation ended.
