“Six.”
She nodded. “That sounds good. I’m glad you finally asked me out, Phineas.”
“I’m glad I did too. Thanks for the nudge.”
“Well, if one of us didn’t make the move, we’d still be just friends.”
“What if this doesn’t work out?” Phineas asked. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t, and I don’t think this won’t work out. Do you?”
Phineas grinned, his yellow eyes soft. “I think this will work out.”
“I get what you mean. We’ve been friends for so long and…I don’t want to lose you either, but I also know what my heart wants, and that’s you.” Pearl kissed him again, touching his face. “Let’s get you back home. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“Me too.”
Pearl:We have a date set!
Mer: Oh. My. Gosh! Finally. When?
Pearl: Tonight.
Mer: He moves slow for years, but fast with the actual date. Good! What’re you going to wear?
Pearl: IDK.
Mer: Want to go shopping?
Pearl: Yes.
Mer: K. Meet me at Nifty Thrifty in an hour. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
That was the text Pearl had immediately sent to Mercedes when she woke up this morning after she’d slept in. Even hermom wasn’t puttering around in the kitchen like she usually did, shehadto tell someone, and of course it was very satisfying to tell her bestie all about it, because she was still buzzing with electricity.
Pearl got ready as fast as she could, gulped down a coffee because she was too excited-slash-nervous to eat, and then walked to the center of town. Mercedes was waiting outside of Nifty Thrifty, practically buzzing too. There was smoke curling out of her ears.
Pearl was almost worried that Mercedes might cause a minor explosion. Mercedes was a witch whose powers were controlled by her emotions, and during times of extreme emotion, explosions sometimes happened.
Though it hadn’t happened in a while.
As soon as Mercedes saw her, she ran right over and gave her a big hug.
“This is sooo exciting,” Mercedes gushed. “I think a lot of us have been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
“What do you mean a lot of us?” Pearl asked.
Mercedes gave her a look that basically said,girl please. “Every knows you two have been pining for each other for what seems like eternity. We all love Phineas and you. We just want you to be happy. Of course, Magnus and Sven are slightly overprotective.”
“I haven’t even told my actual brother about my date. I know he’ll be protective too, even though he totally adores Phineas.”
“I was too excited and I can’t seem to keep anything from Magnus. He’s the worst gossip sometimes.”
Pearl chuckled softly. “Why doesn’t this surprise me?”
“Enough of that. We have to find the perfect outfit to wear on your date with Phineas. Where is he taking you?”
“He’s not taking me anywhere. I’m going to his place for dinner tonight.”
