The next day, Jeanette watched anxiously at her locker, as Simon turned his combination on the small dial attached to his locker. He wore the same expression on his face as the day before.
I can't believe I'm doing this, thought Jeanette despairingly. There's no way he'll wanna go to a stupid party...
She slammed her locker shut. The hallway was beginning to thin out as people rushed to their next classes. Now was probably the best chance she get.
As she slowly trekked down the hall, her heart began to race faster with each step she took. She scowled as she continued on. What was wrong with her? What was so weird about asking Simon to a party? After all, they were best friends. Emphasis on on were.
Jeanette lightly tapped him on the shoulder when she reached his locker. Simon briskly turned his head. He seemed slightly surprised to see her standing there.
"U-uh Simon," she started. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
He turned back to his locker and reached into it. "Now's not a good time," he replied flatly. His nose twitched slightly after he said this. "I'm gonna be late for class."
Jeanette knew for a fact that he could care less about class. He didn't pay attention to it anymore, anyway. He just wanted to get away from her.
"It'll be quick," she pushed. "I promise."
He breathed heavily through his nose, impatience evident on his face. "Fine." He turned to her, finally looking her fully in the eye. "What's up?"
"U-Uh, well," she stuttered. "There's this party Friday night at,uh, Mark's house..."
Simon stared at her curiously as if to say, The point...? Why does he have to make this so hard for me? She asked herself.
"And I w-was wondering if m-maybe you wanted to go with m-me."
The look of surprise and embarrassment on his face shocked her. Blood started to flush her face bright red, as well as his.
He narrowed his eyes at her, as if trying to figure out her incentive. "You mean like...a date?..."
Jeanette's eyes widened in pure embarrassment. "No,no,no,no,no,"she cried hurriedly. "I mean just, uh, y-you know just to, uh, hang out?"
"Oh."
Simon turned to face his locker again, his eyes focusing hard on the ground by his feet.
"I don't know," he muttered. "Not really in the mood for a party."
"B-But it'll be fun," she insisted. "A chance to just hang out. And I'm not completely sure, but I've noticed that you've been a bit-"
Her words trailed off as Simon glared at her, as if daring her to continue. She averted her eyes and looked down at the ground. "Never mind," she mumbled.
Simon sighed. He held his textbooks at his side and shut his locker with a loud Bang!
"Look, I'll think about it, okay?" he mumbled. "I just...haven't been feeling my best lately, I guess."
Under her breath, Jeanette mumbles, "That much is obvious..."
Simon's eyes softened ever so slightly. "I'll see you later," he mumbled.
As he walked down the hall, Jeanette had a feeling that they weren't really going to see each other later.
She sighed. At least they can't say I didn't ask him...
