Anastasia's P.O.V.-
"Idiot; idiot. I can't believe what an idiot I am." "Ok, I'll bite. Why are you an idiot, Anny?" Kate, Jose, and I were hanging out in the journalism clubroom. It was almost time for us to head down to the spring festival grounds to make some last-minute touches to our booth. I glanced over to Kate, who was sitting beside me with her laptop out in front of her.
"You remember I told you about you-know-who?" "That guy you like? Yeah, I remember." "Guy?! What guy? I thought you were dating Paul," Jose perked up at Kate's unfortunate remark. "Paul and I are friends; that's it! And there's no guy! Well… I don't know if there is." "Do you know if he likes you yet?" Kate went on to ask, like it was the most ok thing in the world. It wasn't! "I… I don't know how he feels about me. I think he likes me, but I don't know if it's how I like Paul or…. him." "Hmmmmm, so what you're saying is you don't know if you've been friend-zoned or not?" Kate hummed to herself, resting her cheek on the palm of her hand. "If you want to put it like that, yes."
"Wait, I'm confused. What happened to you and Paul? I thought you two were definitely going to be a thing by the end of this year," Jose scratched his cheek ponderingly. "I never said I liked Paul, Jose. I do like him! But as a friend- he's one of my best friends. I don't want to lose the great friendship we have." "Ok; so just marry him and then you'll have a husband and best friend. Problem solved," his hand threw casually up into the air. "No, it's not. Look, why are we even talking about this?" "Because you kept calling yourself an idiot a minute ago?" Kate replied in a matter-o-factly tone. Ugh, I hate that tone.
I let a long, looooooong sigh. "It's nothing; I just feel like a total moron. I told him something last night that I maybe shouldn't have." "Oh? What'd you say? Gasp! Did you confess?!" Kate suddenly looked all starry-eyed. "No! I just…. I think what I said brought up a painful memory for him. Tom… was on the football team as well," my eyes scrolled downward. "Tom? What did you say about Tom? Girl, did you even know Tom?" "Look, just drop it, ok? I should have waited to tell him what I did, but like an idiot, I didn't. And I made him feel all awkward. It's my fault….." "Sooooooo, let me see if I got this straight? You were honest with this guy, and he got mad at you for being honest? Wow, sounds like a real keeper," Kate groaned. "It's not like that! He's….. sensitive." "Sensitive, or controlling?" "Would you stop it?! He would never do anything to hurt me!" I was starting to raise my voice. "Yeah, except get mad at you when you open up to him." "He didn't!"
Neither of us notice Jose sigh and stand up out of his seat. "I hate to break up your little argument but we gotta head down to the festival now." "Oooooooh, will mystery man be there? The football team has a booth this time!" Kate latched onto my arm. So much for being unimpressed by him, I rolled my eyes. "Let's just forget about it. I don't want to bother him." "Awe, who'd think you're a bother?" "Look, I really like this guy. He's sweet, and strong, and charming… I just… don't want to do anything else to make him upset. I think it's best if I keep my distance for a while; let him come to me when he's ready." "If he's ever ready." "Shut up, Jose!" Kate yelled back at him.