maddox
SEVEN YEARS AGO
After crushingon her since she transferred to my school in second grade, today is the day I will finally ask Annalise Rose Monroe out on a date. I’ve been a bundle of nerves all day and could barely focus on what Mr. Nguyen was going over in chemistry class.
“Alright. I’m gonna do it.” I rub my hands together, taking a deep breath.
“Do what?” Elijah says, eyeing me curiously as he dials the combination to his locker.
“I’m gonna ask Annalise out on a date.”
Elijah laughs. “Bro, are you still high from earlier? You don’t date, remember?”
“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” I shrug. “I’m tired of messing around with these girls I don’t even care about. I want something more.”
He cackles, patting my back. “Dude, what the fuck did that weed do to you?”
“I’m not high, you moron.” I smack him in the back of hishead. “I’m dead serious. Shit gets old. I want my homecoming date this year to be someone I actually care about.”
“Okay, well, good luck with that.” He stuffs his geometry book in his backpack and zips it. “She rejected half the guys in our class already, so I doubt she’ll say yes to you.”
“Well, none of those guys were me, were they?” I say, a cheeky grin appearing on my face.
“I’m gonna be laughing if your ass gets rejected, too.” Elijah shakes his head.
I flip him the middle finger and stride over to where Annalise is standing.
“Hey, Monroe.” I casually lean against the lockers, smiling at her.
“Oh, hey, Kamado.” Annalise smiles back at me, making my heart flutter. “What’s up?”
“What are your plans for the weekend?”
“I’ll probably just hit up the mall with Mazi and then study for next week’s geometry exam.”
“How about you skip studying and come seeThe Haunted Trailswith me?”
I absolutely hate horror movies, especially if they involve ghosts. I never understood why people pay money to get scared. But I know how much Annalise loves them, so I figured I’d suck it up. She’s been gushing about the release since the trailer came out.
“I got tickets to an advanced screening,” I add.
She pauses for a moment, a smile forming on her lips.
My pulse quickens. This is it. She’s about to say yes, about to smile and say how excited she is for our date—and then she’ll be mine.
I can already picture us walking the halls together, hand in hand, sharing laughs.
My smile widens, anticipation buzzing in my chest.
“Tempting. But I’m gonna have to pass.”
The words hit like a record scratching to a halt.
She shrugs, closing her locker. “I’d rather watch grass grow than go on a date with you.”
My smile cracks and fades, heat creeping up my neck at the sting of her rejection.
“What’s the matter, Kamado? Not used to being rejected? Hate to break it to you, but you’re just not my type. Have fun at the movies. I’ll see you later.” She wags her fingers and takes off, leaving me with my humiliation.
