Edited 2019

AN: I know this one is early, but I just could not wait. Some of you may hate me at the end of the chapter so I apologize in advance. If I get it done I will get another chapter up later tonight. Enjoy the chapter just don't come hunting me with pitchforks and torches once you're done.

Disclaimer: I doubt that I would be writing fan fiction if I was making money off of the characters elsewhere.

Chapter 20

"Can I think about it?" I blurted out.

"That's not really the answer I was hoping for, but sure, take some time, just not too long. If you can make up your mind by this evening at the game, I would appreciate it. I will let you get back to your lunch and I will see you in class." He said sounding half hurt but still hopeful. He walked away leaving me to think. Now I had two invites one that I really wanted to accept and one that would be less scandalous. I went back to the lunchroom contemplatively. I returned to my seat. Amelia squealed as I came back in.

"What did he want to talk to you about Sookie? Oh, did he ask you to the dance? Maybe he wants to take you on a date. What about after the game he could be taking you to get some ice cream. Ahh…" Amelia kept right on jabbering till Eric interrupted her.

"Take a breath between questions so she has a chance to answer. What did he want Sookie?" Eric growled.

"Well, he asked me to the homecoming dance, but I asked if I could think about it," I said shyly looking down at my hands.

"What on earth do you have to think about Sookie? He is so hot. If you don't go with him I will." Amelia interjected.

"I understand Sookie, he is a nice guy but you don't know him that well. I bet you were hoping that someone else would ask you." Holly added quietly.

"So, you are just stalling till the person you want asks, well, he might not so you should just accept Preston's invite," Amelia said with a smirk. Sometimes I do not know why I am friends with her. I think it is because I am one of the only people who will put up with her running her mouth. Amelia lacks the simple thing called a filter, the part of normal people that tells you to shut up or keep things to yourself. The idea that not everyone wants to know every thought that comes into her head is not really a concept for her.

"Amelia we all know that you are jealous that Sookie got asked before you. So, you just have to be mean and ruin it for her. You should be supportive and not act spitefully." Crystal cut her off. I am so glad that Jason is dating a nice girl this time.

"Thank you, Crystal. I do like him but more as a friend and I would rather go with someone else. I just don't know how to tell him. I don't want him to hate me." I said shyly.

"No one could hate you, Babe, your too nice. If he is as nice as you think he is, he will be ok with being friends with you." John said putting an arm around me in a half hug. I laid my head on his arm.

"Thank you, John, you are always so nice," I said closing my eyes for a minute.

He leaned over to whisper to me. "Any guy would be lucky to be your friend. I know I feel that way."

I turned to face him with a smile. His face was so close that I was almost nose to nose with him. He kissed me on the cheek and sat up leaving his arm around my chair. I was starting to think that Gran, Lala, and Tara were right. I do have a lot of admirers. The only problem is that unlike Scarlett I don't know what to do with them. The rest of lunch went by with Amelia and Crystal staring daggers at each other. Eric was quiet and a bit standoffish. When I stood up John gave me a hug and said he would see me later.

Hoyt walked with me to Mr. Merlotte's classroom. Thankfully he was quiet. It was just what I needed to think. In Chemistry class, we ended up watching a video about the SI system and how it is used by most of the world. I was glad for the distraction.

I knew that if we won the game tonight like I was sure we would then one of the football player's girlfriends would be having a party tomorrow night. If I accepted Preston's offer then he would want to take me to that party. He would expect me to be his girlfriend. I had heard Jason coming back from enough of those parties to know that they don't serve fruit punch and play board games. I was so lost in my thoughts that I missed when everyone started to pack up to leave. Mr. Merlotte came over to see what was going on.

"Is there something wrong Sookie, you seem to have been distracted most of class? Not that you really needed to pay attention to the video. So what is going on that has you so lost in thought?" He questioned looking concernedly at me.

"I got asked to the homecoming dance and I don't know how to tell the guy that I don't want to go. He thinks that I like him as more than a friend and I don't really see him that way. I mean he is cute and everything but I have not spent much time with him outside of class." I said honestly. I think I surprised Mr. Merlotte with that answer because he was speechless for a minute.

"I am not much for giving that kind of advice Sookie maybe you should go talk to one of the councilors," He said nervously scratching the back of his head.

"That's ok Mr. Merlotte, I think I will just wait and talk to my Gran when I get home from school. Will I see you at the game tonight?" I asked standing and gathering my things.

"Unfortunately no I have things I have to do this evening. I am planning to go to the homecoming game. I will see you Monday Sookie." He said going back to his desk.

I looked at the clock and saw that I had to book it if I wanted to make it to Mrs. Fant's on time. I got there with ten seconds to spare. I noticed that my usual seat was taken by one of the other girls. Feeling a little surprise, I went to sit in the back. Eric was already there reading. Mrs. Fant gave us a test for the vocabulary that we had been learning this week. I thought I did just fine. When class was over, I walk down to the band room. With all the excitement at lunch, I had kind of forgotten that I had another audition for chairs. Mrs. Fortenberry was at the front of the room waiting for everyone to have their instruments out and tuned. I got my cello and got ready.

"I will be taking you one at a time to audition as I did earlier in the week. Once you are done you are free to go. I know several of you will be attending the game this evening so let's get started. I will be taking you in the order I did on Tuesday." She said and then walked to the stairs and up to her office. I grabbed my stuff and went to wait. I was sitting on the bench outside of her office zoning out. "Sookie dear, are you ready, I have called your name a few times."

"Sorry Mrs. Fortenberry I am ready. I was just thinking." I stood up and walked into her office. I sat down and without waiting for her to prompt me I started to play. I played with so much feeling that I did not notice her clapping when I was finished.

"Sookie that was magnificent. You took such a simple piece and made it have emotion. I am proud of you. I think that I may have underestimated you. I guess I will have to rethink the chair positions." She said grinning. "You may go now Sookie." I got up and left the room. I packed my stuff and left the room. I was on autopilot till I remembered that I was going to have to wait for Jason to get out of class to go home. I walked down to the truck to wait. I was loading my cello into the bed when someone said my name.

"Sookie dear, are you going to have to wait in this heat for your brother to be done with his class to go home?" Mrs. Hyde was standing there next to her car. I just nodded my head. "Don't be silly dear I can give you a ride home. Just let me call up to the secretary to have her let your brother know so he does not worry. It will give me the chance to return your Grandmother's pie dish. I insist. In the meantime could you go retrieve Godric for me I told him I would be here to get him early he must have wanted to wait inside?" She turned around and got out her cell phone. I walked back to the door and went in search of Godric. It didn't take me to long to find him, he was sitting just inside the door. I don't know how I missed him when I came out.

"Did you forget something?" He asked smiling up at me.

"Ah no, your mother found me in the parking lot and offered to give me a ride home. She sent me back in to get you." I answered. He stood up and gathered his things.

"You look kind of distracted Sookie is there something on your mind?" He asked as we left the building.

"I would kind of like people to quit asking me that. I am I just need to think about some things." I almost yelled. "Sorry, that came out wrong. I got asked to go to homecoming and I don't want to go with this one guy, but he is the better choice at the moment. He is really nice and I don't want to hurt his feelings. I still want to be friends with him. The person I really want to go with I shouldn't cause it is just not right well, not right now. I don't know what I want to do."

"Sounds to me like you need to tell this guy that you like him as a friend but you can't accept the offer. Just tell him the truth that you want to go with someone else. He might get his feelings hurt but it is better to not lead him on." He said as we approached his mother's car. He loaded his things in the trunk with mine.

"We are all set dear I even called your Gran to let her know that we were coming. I have to say Sookie, I just love your dress. It is nice to see young ladies dressing the part. This one is just as if not a bit nicer than the one you wore Wednesday night." Mrs. Hyde said getting into the front seat. I sat in the back with Godric listening to his mother prattle on about clothing and proper young ladies. I ended up putting my head down on his shoulder during the ride. I must have fallen asleep because he was carrying me into the house when I woke up. I just shut my eyes and snuggled into his arms. He carried me up to my room and put me on my bed. I held onto his arm not wanting him to let me go.

"I will be back I am going to go get your cello and bag. Go back to sleep ma petite. " He said I let go of his arm. I fell back to sleep. I woke up when he sat down on the bed with me and pulled me into his arms. "You know you could have another choice to go to the dance with."

"Who?" I mumbled looking up at him.

"You could go with me if you want." He smiled down at me.