Chapter 7: Asking

Violette came out of the dressing room to see what was going on as well. The green dress looked nice on her, but not as good as the purple one. She stood there, watching silently.

Rosalya and Leigh let go of Lysander and jumped back, trying to look innocent. Lysander picked himself up and straightened his coat. "Hi Kari. I admired the way you handled Amber today. Most people try to beat her at her own game, but you took a more creative approach; deny her battle in the first place."

"Thanks," I replied.

"Lys wants to ask you something," Rosalya declared.

Lysander hesitated, but I think he realized that Rosalya and Leigh weren't going to let him get out of this. "Now I apologize in advance if this is too forward, but I would be honored if you would come to the dance with me." His heterochromatic eyes radiated sincerity.

"Wow! Yeah, that sounds great. I'd love to go with you."

Violette leaned over to me and whispered, "Kari, what about Jade?"

Lysander smiled softly. "What time should I pick you up?"

"Actually, Violette and I are also going with a guy from another school. I'm close enough to walk, so I figured I would just do that."

Lysander's smile faded. "Oh. Is this guy just a friend or something more?"

"We're not sure yet. We both like him, so maybe he'll be a boyfriend to both of us."

Rosalya's pupils dilated, and she leaned forward. "You don't mind sharing your boyfriend?"

I shrugged. "I don't see how a person can be mine in the first place, so why not?"

Lysander squirmed like he had something to hide. His hand went to the jabot at his throat, and he fiddled with it. "I am not sure I am comfortable with this. What if this other guy gets jealous. What if I get jealous?"

"Just tell me and we'll go from there."

Rosalya sidled up to Leigh and slung her arms over his shoulders. "Honey, do you ever get jealous?"

"Huh?" Leigh asked.

"I've been wondering something for quite some time," Rosalya continued, "call it a theory. I think there are some people out there who just don't experience certain emotions. Either that, or they can easily recognize the damage that certain emotions cause and set them aside."

"Theory, huh? That's interesting. What made you think of that?" I asked.

Lysander squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and breathed deeply.

Rosalya noticed Lysander's reaction, but seemed unconcerned by it. "Well, disgust for one thing. It's a totally useless emotion, but most people feel it. Doctors and especially surgeons are an exception to the rule, though. If they let disgust drive them, they would not be able to get anything done properly. Maybe jealousy is another useless emotion."

I never knew Rosalya could be so deep. Then again, I never really got the chance to talk to her until now. She was always flirting with Lysander or rushing off to see Leigh. There were rumors about her and Lysander, but I never paid any attention to those. I believed in getting to know someone directly. Even if the rumors were true, I didn't see what the big deal was.

A moment of silence followed where Lysander looked from Rosalya to me, and then back at her again. She returned his gaze steadily.

Then, Violette muttered, "I… I think that jealousy comes from insecurity. I used to be jealous of Kari because I thought she was better than me. Then I learned that I had my own gifts and talents, so she wasn't any better, just different. Sometimes I still feel insecure about myself, but now I know it is better to work on improving myself than it is to dwell on what someone else has."

I had sensed that Violette felt that way somewhere in the back of my mind, but I never really thought about it until now. This day just kept revealing more deep and personal truths. I felt like I should share something more about myself, but I didn't have anything hidden in the first place. My life was an open book, and maybe that's why the others felt they could also open up in my presence.

Lysander smiled softly again. "If you keep talking like that I might just fall for you too, Violette."

"That's the spirit. Hey, we could make it a double date," I said.

"Let's make it a triple date!" Rosalya cried.

Leigh just stood there and blinked. It was almost as if he expected this, but still did not know how to handle it.

Lysander's eyes shifted to his older brother. "Have you ever heard the song 'Triad' by Jefferson Airplane?"

Leigh shook his head.

"It was well before our time, but I think they had a point," Lysander stated. He went behind the counter to retrieve his music player and handed it to Leigh.

I stood there awkwardly for a moment while I watched the brothers become absorbed in the world of music. Then, I gave Violette a single nod and went back into the fitting room to change. I really liked the green dress, and felt it would be perfect for the dance. I had no idea what Lysander and Jade would be wearing, but since we would be going as a quartet or maybe a sextet rather than as separate couples, I think that matching all of us would be difficult.

I put the dresses back on their hangers and went back out to see Lysander and Leigh talking softly. Rosalya perched on a stool between them, listening eagerly. I put the black and purple dresses on the restock rack and kept the green dress while I waited for them to finish.

Violette met me there. "Do you like Leigh, too?" she whispered to me.

"I don't know. Maybe if I got to know him better I would, but I have no clue at this point."

"Remember last year? There was a rumor that Leigh gave Rosalya a love poem, but Lysander actually wrote it and she knew it was really him all along."

"I don't believe rumors unless I hear them straight from the horse's mouth, but that would explain a lot of things. Maybe that's what they're talking about right now. I still don't think it is any of our business, though unless they decide to tell us."

"True."

Violette and I waited until the three of them were done talking. Leigh looked up and said, "I'm sorry. Are you ready to make a purchase?"

"Yes, I've decided. How about you, Violette?" I asked.

Violette nodded and held up the purple dress.

"So, what's the plan? Are we talking double date or triple date or what?" I asked.

"We can all go together, but let's not put a label on anything just yet. Rosalya and Leigh are still together, so I feel that there are certain boundaries to respect. I don't want to see either of you getting too cozy with Leigh in front of the whole school. We have enough rumors as it is," Lysander said.

I nodded. "I'll agree to that."

"Me too," Violette said.

Leigh rang up our purchases, and we paid him. He did not even crack a smile at us. I found it odd, but maybe that's just how he was.

Violette hugged me as soon as we got out of the store. "I can't believe we have two dates, and maybe even a third."

"Yeah, it is cool. Even if Jade wants to dance with you most of the night, I'll still have Lysander and vice-versa. This will be great!"

We parted company, and I walked home to do my homework. I was actually grateful for the homework, because otherwise I would have been up all night with excitement. Instead, I fell asleep exhausted from thinking about logarithms and exponents.