Okay. Wow. That was certainly a lot to take in for Teresa. So, maybe it wasn't a lot, a lot (she'd seen far, far worse) but... holy Mother Teresa! It wasn't a big surprise Newt and Minho were betting on Brenda's love life because Minho always had to put a wager on something no matter what the situation was (no wonder he was so broke) and Newt usually agreed with everyone and was always up for a little fun, so, no. Teresa was not flabbergasted at all. Not one bit.
From the corner of her eye, Thomas saw Thomas shrugging while being bugged by Frypan, Gally, and Chuck. Thomas was unfazed. This wouldn't be the first person to have a crush on Thomas. She knew that because they'd been friends since seven-years-old and since about grade 5/6, girls (and a few boys) had became infatuated with him.
But with Brenda liking Thomas... Well, this changed everything. Teresa didn't want to be jealous. She wanted what was right for Tom, but still. He was so kind to her and everyone else (except for people he didn't like) and over the years, Teresa might've... fallen for him? Not because of his looks, though he looked okay, but it was his personality. For what he was like on the inside. The things on the outside, she couldn't give a damn about, because, honestly, judging and liking people because of their looks were absurd.
It was selfish of her, but deep down in the darkest part of her heart and soul, she hoped that Thomas wouldn't like Brenda back. She wished upon that so, so bad. Teresa heard a groan from Minho. "How much do I owe you again?" Newt sighed. "$10."
Teresa rolled her eyes. Of course Minho couldn't remember. He made so many bets that she was surprised he remembered this one. Then again, maybe he didn't. Teresa noticed that it was time for a subject change to spare her best friend further embarrassment. "Well, now that Brenda's got that over with, I think we should continue, yeah?" Teresa interjected awkwardly.
Brenda nodded along. "Mhm... well, Minho! Truth or dare?" Minho smirked. "Dare." "I dare you to rate everyone- but me- in the room from 1-10 and kiss the person with the highest rating."
The Asian scoffed. "Easy." He stood up and walked around the room as if he was a critic; getting in everybody's faces and examining their facial features. "Well, I'd rate Thomas an 7.5/10." Thomas nodded, content with his score. "Gally's probably a 5/10. He's not that bad, but not like, super hot or anything." Gally nodded along, but added a little "rude!"
"Next is... Teresa. I'd say 8/10 I guess. Like, she's annoying, but like, she's kinda pretty not gonna lie." Teresa was shocked, but nodded along. "Frypan's probably like 4.5-5/10. No offense to him, but he's not in my good books or anything." Frypan gasped. "Are you saying I'm ugly, shank?" Minho shook his head. "Yeah! I am. No, I'm kidding. You're not that ugly." Frypan checked his invisible watch on his wrist, clearly done with his friends. "I'm leaving now, bye!" And Frypan left threw the glass door that connected to the porch.
"Newt... well, Newt is my friend and he's got some real nice hair and adorable eyes, but that's really it. So... maybe a solid 6/10." Newt shrugged. "I honestly thought it would be worse. I'm glad to know that you think I'm not ugly." Newt joked around about his appearance with ease, but Teresa noticed that there was a sad, longing wistfulness to his words and eyes. Was something bothering him? No. Probably not, because if their was, Newt would voice out his opinion, right?"
"Chuck's 5.5/10. He's cute and adorable." Chuck groaned from the floor. "You guys treat me like I'm a five-year-old. You know, I'm actually 14! I'm not that cute!" Everyone laughed. "Chuck, you'll always be cute," said Brenda through gasps of breath from laughing too much. "Alby, you're a 3/10," Minho stated plainly and Alby sighed. "Figures..."
"Last but not least, we have me. I'm a good 10/10. So, do you guys have a mirror so I can kiss myself?" Minho boasted and everyone groaned. "Loopholes, loopholes, people," Minho berated. Teresa should've known this would happen with Minho. They should've been more specific with their dares.
"Anyway, Tomboy! I got a question for ya." Minho said. Thomas opened his mouth to pick a truth or dare, but Minho cut in first. The Asian got down onto one knee and held out an invisible ring. "Thomas Whatever-Your-Last-Name-Is-sorry, I forgot, will you make me the happiest man and marry me?" The room bursted into laughter and Thomas pretended to tear up. "First of all, my last name is Murphy, and second of all, Yes, yes!" He exclaimed and hugged Minho.
Minho broke the embrace and his face turned stone cold. "But in all seriousness, truth or dare, Thomas?" "Truth...?" It sounded like Thomas wasn't sure about his answer. "Okay. What are your opinions on Brenda? Like everything about her and I'm serious, man."
Thomas' jaw dropped. "You're serious?" "Does it look like I'm kidding?" Thomas sighed. "Well, I haven't known Brenda for very long. Only since grade 9, but she's nice enough. I like that she's kind to others most of the time, she's funny, adventurous, brave, and well, her looks don't hurt. She's pretty in my opinion. But sometimes Brenda can be wicked and annoying and a total pain in the ass. Also, she can get really clingy and she lies a lot."
"Anything else?" Chuck asked with a wiggling of his furry little eyebrows. Thomas groaned. "No... I don't like her that way!" "It sure sounds you like do," Newt snorted. "No! Okay, so I might like her, but not like, super-super like her. I think I just like her as a friend. And if I don't, then I liker her because I want her as a bet friend or close friend, okay?"
Brenda nodded and blushed. "Well, I just made this really awkward, didn't I?" Asked Minho abruptly. "Mhm..." Everyone agreed. "I think we should all head out now, good that?" Suggested Alby. There were nods and murmurs of agreement, and with that, everyone set off back home. "I'm gonna borrow one of your things, alright, Brenda?" Teresa informed Brenda before heading upstairs. The only ones now remaining were Brenda and Thomas.
When Teresa came back downstairs she was a little upset at the scene before her. "I'm sorry, Thomas. Minho had to make things awkward for us because of... you know." Brenda blushed. Thomas nodded. "Don't worry about it, I'm used to it." Brenda laughed. "Of course you are. This won't change anything about our friendship though, right?" Thomas cocked his head. "What makes you say that?" "Oh, nothing," Brenda said with an amusing smirk.
"But, just in case you want to know, my feelings for you are a little mixed right now. I... I don't want to get your hopes up or anything. Life's really confusing and I don't need another relationship, but once I get things sorted out, we could talk about this again?" Brenda smiled, a genuine smile of happiness. "Yeah. I'd like that."
Thomas opened the basement door and left the Despain's home. Teresa made her way towards Brenda holding a book called Wilder Girls. "Hey, Brenda. Is everyone gone?" Brenda nodded, but seemed zoned out. "Are you okay?" Teresa asked. "You've got that look on your face." The teen with her hair always in a ponytail shrugged and then blushed. "Well... Thomas might like me."
Teresa already knew that, but she didn't want to be the bad guy, so she plopped down on the purple bean bag and looked up at Brenda with the best 'I'm totally interested' eyes. "Tell me everything." Why did Teresa have to be such a good friend?
