The Girlfriend Request Page 19

  Emma

  Spring break went by way too quickly. Eli and I spent a lot of time together, and things seemed to be going better than I could have hoped. I worried that coming back to school after break might feel awkward, with all our classmates seeing us together, but it turned out I worried for nothing. Whenever he’d run into me between classes, he always made a point of coming up for a quick kiss, or to just squeeze my hand before rushing off again.

  I’d talked to Sarah about it. Her big advice was that I needed to stop worrying so much and just go with it. She pointed out, “You guys pretty much have the same relationship you always did. Only now there’s kissing involved.”

  Laughing, I had to admit she was sort of right.

  I still ate lunch with my friends, and Eli still ate with Kevin and his soccer crew. For one, I didn’t want Sarah to feel like a third wheel since Doug ate lunch a different period. Plus, it was important to me to still have girl time, too. But Eli and I always met up to walk to our lockers after lunch.

  We’d just finished lunch about a week after coming back from spring break when the bell rang and Eli materialized next to me.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” He smiled down at me.

  Sarah made a show of gagging when he leaned down to kiss me. “You two lovebirds need to get a room,” she said, smiling.

  “Oh you know we love you, too.” Eli looped an arm around her shoulder as we walked to our lockers. He looked at me and winked. He was adorable.

  After we rounded the corner, we all stopped short, and Sarah squealed at the top of her lungs.

  White paper roses decorated the edges of her locker, with the word, PROM? spelled out in large red construction paper letters down the center. Doug stood next to the locker wearing a top hat and a giant smile.

  Sarah ran up to him and threw herself at him. He could probably take that as a yes.

  I misted up a bit. I wanted to be happy for my friend, but I also felt…jealous. Eli hadn’t said a word about going. I knew he hated dances, always had, but I’d been dropping some hints, hoping he’d make an exception. He hadn’t taken the bait.

  He glanced down at me. “I’m glad you’re not into that kind of lame crap.” He could barely hold back his laughter, like he found the whole thing so hilarious.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Totally lame.” I pasted on a wobbly smile as we headed to class and I tried to tell myself it was no big deal.

  It seemed like forever until the dismissal bell rang. I was supposed to be meeting Eli in front of the school, since he was giving me a ride home. I shaded my eyes as I peered across the steps and pick-up area, searching for him, but he wasn’t anywhere in sight.

  Walking down the steps, I wondered if I’d somehow gotten it wrong, and was supposed to meet him inside at one of our lockers. I decided to wait a few minutes before going back in to look for him. Maybe he got held up talking to one of his teachers.

  I leaned against a brick column at the bottom of the steps to wait. It’d been a long day, and between everyone talking about the Prom and a pop quiz in science, my mood sucked. I sighed.

  Right as I looked up to check the door again, Carissa sashayed down the steps without her usual posse for once. As if she felt my gaze, she glanced up and zoned directly in on me. Her china-doll face immediately morphed into something ugly. With a determined glare, she marched straight up to me until she stood only inches away.

  “So, I hear Eli took the pity route,” she remarked snidely.

  I turned my head, but she wasn’t so easily put off.

  “Yeah, I heard from a very good source that he felt sorry for you after you posted some fake profile just to try to get him.” She snickered. “Wow, talk about desperation.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. “And sorry to burst your bubble, but he asked me out, not the other way around.”

  Carissa laughed, eyes glinting. “Right. Was that before or after you were pathetic enough to pretend you were someone else, and had some other guy pretend to date you?” She shook her head, pushing pouty lips out in a mock frown. “I mean, I have to say, that was truly sad…even for you.”

  Spinning to face her, I burst out, “What exactly is your problem?”

  Carissa widened her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean. I don’t have a problem. I was just telling you what everyone in school’s been saying.” She shrugged. “Sorry if the truth hurts.” The evil grin returned.

  If Carissa knew, then everyone knew. Gossip to Carissa was like pure crystal to a meth-head—she couldn’t resist it.

  “You know, Carissa, for years you’ve gone out of your way to treat me like shit every single chance you got. That might make a person wonder what was driving you to act that way.” I took a step closer. “And you know what? I think I’ve finally figured it out. You can’t stand seeing what Eli and I have.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

  But I was on a roll. I knew I was being horrible, but couldn’t stop myself. Too many years of taking her crap had brought me to that exact point in time.

  “No, that’s it. Even before Eli and I got together, we still had more than you’ve ever had with anyone. Everyone at school is afraid of you because they know what a two-faced vindictive bitch you are, and they don’t want to get on your bad side. But the truth is, no one actually even likes you.”

  Carissa’s eyes narrowed, and her face grew stony.

  It felt good to finally let it all out. “People might be nice to your face, and jump when you say jump, but it’s not because they’re your friends. It’s only because they don’t trust you.” I scoffed. “You knew you couldn’t have the one person you wanted. Eli. You lost your shot with him. And you’re flat out jealous that I have him in a way you never will.”

  I flew backward as Carissa screamed and lunged at me.

  “What the hell are you doing?” I yelled, trying to push her away. “Are you freaking insane?”

  Carissa stopped and released the hold she had on my shirt, as if she suddenly realized where she was and what she was doing. Her normally perfect hair flew wild around her mottled face. She sniffed and smoothed it down, looking around the landing at the group of students staring in our direction. “You’re not worth it,” she sneered. “You’re a nobody.” She wheeled away.

  Heart pounding, I couldn’t believe what she’d just done. The other students continued to stare over at me with interest, having witnessed the whole show. It was sure to make the gossip rounds by tomorrow.

  Lifting my chin, I adjusted the top of my shirt that had slipped down my shoulder when Carissa shoved me, and marched away. A few kids whispered or snickered as I passed. I refused to look anywhere but straight ahead.

  As I crossed the street near the student parking area, a voice called my name. Eli’s voice. My first instinct was to simply ignore him, but when he called a second time, I finally turned around, my face expressionless.

  “Em! What are you doing?” Lines furrowed in his forehead. “I saw you headed this way and ran to try to catch up to you.” He noticed my face. “What’s wrong?” He took a step toward me, his concern clear.

  “What’s wrong?” The words came out eerily calm. “Why don’t you ask your good friend Carissa?”

  Confusion washed over his features. “What are you talking about? What happened?”

  My expressionless mask broke, and I lost it. “Carissa just attacked me, after humiliating me in front of everyone standing out front waiting for the buses.”

  Shock replaced the confusion. “She what? Why?”

  I stared at him. “Why? What’s that supposed to mean? Like I did something to prompt it?”

  He shook his head. Reaching out, he took my hand. “No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Are you okay?”

  I pulled away. “I’m fine. It was more embarrassing than anything.”

  Eli looked livid. “I don’t care. She can’t go around doing this. You have to report her.”

  “No! I’m
not going and telling on her.”

  He closed his eyes a moment. “Fine. So what did she say, anyway?”

  “She informed me how she knew all about the profile I put on Facebook, and told me how you’re just going out with me out of pity.” I stared down at the gravel.

  “Oh, Em. No. Come here.” He reached out and pulled me into his arms, holding me tight. At first I resisted, but after a few seconds I collapsed into him, sobbing.

  “I was so humiliated. Everyone heard her. Everyone thinks I’m this big pathetic loser.”

  “Sh…It’s okay,” he soothed, stroking my hair while pulling me even closer. “Nobody thinks that. I don’t think that.”

  I hiccupped through my tears. “Carissa does.”

  “Who cares what she thinks? Carissa’s a loser.” He pulled back a little so I could see his face. “You’re worth one hundred Carissas, and she knows it.” He smiled down at me, his familiar smile that I loved so much, and wiped a tear away as it slipped down my cheek.

  “I think she still likes you. Would you rather go out with her?”

  He stared at me. “Em, how could you even think that?” He shook his head. “Not in a million years. Don’t you get it? You are the only girl I want.”

  “But…but why did you tell her?” My eyes welled up again; I couldn’t help it.

  Eli shook his head. “I didn’t tell her.” He sighed. “The only thing I can think is that Kevin said something to her. I told him about it when everything was all weird between us and we were fighting. I needed someone to talk to.” He closed his eyes for a second. “I’m so sorry. And trust me, I’m going to talk to Kevin about opening his big mouth. I’m so sorry,” he repeated.

  I could tell he felt awful, and knew it wasn’t his fault. I understood needing to talk to a friend; after all, I’d told Sarah. I wiped another tear away. “I know she’s going to go around telling everyone you feel sorry for me. And maybe I shouldn’t care at all, but I can’t help it.”

  He leaned in and kissed me tenderly. “Em, I promise you, no one is going to doubt how I feel about you, including Carissa.”

  The sniffles were back. “You don’t know that.”

  He smiled, eyes loving. “Trust me, okay?”

  Looking into his eyes, I did trust him. He’d never lied to me. Nodding, I said, “Okay,” but I didn’t really see how he could really make things better…even if he wanted to.

  He reached for my hand once again, accompanied by a gentle smile. “Can I give you a ride now?”

  I nodded. “I’m sorry I got so freaked out.”

  “It’s okay, don’t worry about it. I told you before, I’m here for you.” He brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed it. “And I meant it.”

  We walked across the student lot to his car, and hopped in. As I closed the door, he looked my way and smiled. “Things will seem better tomorrow, I promise.”

  I didn’t see how that would happen, but didn’t really want to dwell on it. So instead, I nodded. “I know.” Too bad I didn’t believe my own words.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Emma

  Eli didn’t call me later that night. Instead, he sent a quick text about 9:00 telling me goodnight and that he would see me at school the next day.

  Sleep was hard to come by that night. Everything kept running through my head over and over no matter how much I kept telling myself I was being ridiculous. I’d liked Eli for so long that it was hard for me to really believe all my wishes were coming true with him. But yet I knew he had my back no matter what.

  Sarah told me the same thing on the phone earlier when I’d called her to talk about it. “Em, you need to trust him. Carissa loves drama, period. And if she can mess with your head, all the better in her mind. Don’t let her.”

  Eli was right. Sarah was right. Carissa wasn’t worth it. What we had was real, and I wasn’t going to doubt him…or myself for that matter…anymore, because of her. Life was for living, not for giving in to bullies.

  I barely saw him the next day in school. He waited by my locker in the morning, giving a rushed explanation that he had to finish some project, kissed me and took off. He wasn’t at lunch either. And on top of that, several of his friends seemed to be giving me funny looks, or would stop talking as soon as I came within earshot.

  I was ready for the day to be over. Finally, the dismissal bell rang. Grabbing the books I needed for homework out of my locker, I slammed it shut, looking around hoping to see him in the hall. He was nowhere around. Sighing, I headed to catch the bus home.

  I’d just pushed open the double doors that led outside when Sarah stopped me.

  “Wait! Emma.”

  I turned. “Hey, what’s up?”

  She stood inside the door. “Um, do you have the history notes?”

  I stared at her. “Sarah, we don’t even have History together. What’s up?”

  She stood, trying not to laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  She only shook her head, then pointed past my shoulder.

  Spinning around, I still didn’t see anything. Then Kevin appeared, stepping around the side of the door, and handed me a yellow rose. Perplexed, I just looked at him. “Uh, what’s this for?”

  Sarah giggled behind me, but neither of them said a word. Instead, they pointed down the crowded steps that led to the bus landing.

  Completely confused now, I asked, “What?”

  “Just go down,” Sarah hissed, a grin breaking out.

  What in the world?

  I turned and walked down. Halfway to the bottom, a guy I recognized from Eli’s softball team stepped over to me, and pulled another yellow rose from behind his back, handing it to me. He also pointed for me to continue down. By this time, other students standing around were watching curiously.

  As I stood on the final step, Megan walked out of the crowd milling at the bottom to hand me a third rose.

  I was completely lost. What the heck was going on? Eli had to be behind this somehow, but I didn’t see him anywhere.

  All of a sudden, music blared from somewhere close by. Pink’s “Perfect” began to play. I stopped dead, looking around.

  The crowd broke apart, and about ten students across from me on the bus landing started doing some choreographed dance in time to the music, pointing and staring straight at me, smiles wide. Most of them were friends of Eli’s from his teams. It was unreal, these jocks gyrating and twirling…they were actually pretty good. I laughed and waved to them.

  Kids began hooting and cheering. Right before it got to the chorus, I felt someone walk around me from behind.

  Eli moved to stand in front of me, wearing a suit jacket over his jeans and T-shirt. He held a dozen red roses in his hand. He was grinning. “I told you to trust me,” he whispered.

  My eyes were ready to pop out of my head as I stared at him. He looked absolutely gorgeous holding that huge mass of roses. For me. Tears threatened.

  He handed me the flowers, and began to sing, even if it was a little off-tune.

  “Pretty pretty please, will you go to prom with me? I’ve known you since the first grade. You were my best friend. Pretty pretty please, will you go to prom with me? You are perfect, you are perfect to me.”

  A group of guys from his soccer team held up a huge banner that read, Prom?? with hearts all around the letters.

  I burst into tears.

  Everyone clapped and cheered around us. Eli stood before me, eyes never leaving my face, smiling just for me.

  Finally, I realized that I’d never even answered him. There was no way I could form a coherent word, so I nodded, yes.

  Eli moved in and grabbed my face in his hands, kissing me in a way that left absolutely no room for doubt for me or anyone watching that he meant it.

  The catcalls got even louder. Sarah and Megan were suddenly there too, laughing and hugging us both.

  I wiped tears from my eyes, laughing and trying to catch my breath all at once. “How did you do this?” I couldn’t
believe it. I hadn’t seen it coming in a million years. Looking around at everyone standing on the steps, or down on the landing in front of us, I was completely overwhelmed. It was like that scene that you don’t believe ever really happens in real life. I noticed Carissa standing off to the side, head down. She looked like she’d given up. I actually felt a little sorry for her. But just a little.

  He pushed his bangs out of his eyes, laughing along with me. “I told you yesterday I had a project to finish. This is what I’ve been working on for the last week or so.” He leaned in to brush away one of my tears. His kaleidoscope eyes smiled down on me.

  I held my hand to my heart; it was going double-time, and I was sure it was going to explode out of my chest any second. “This is just…Omigod.” I reached up and hugged him, crushing the roses between us. “Thank you so much.” I couldn’t stop crying.

  “So you liked it?” He brushed a curl out of my eye where the wind blew it across my face.

  “You have no idea. I loved it.” I still couldn’t believe he did this. “But you hate dances. I didn’t think you’d want to go.”

  He shook his head, gazing at me in wonder. “Em, don’t you get it? I may not like dances, but…” He paused, then softly caressed my cheek with his thumb, never losing eye contact. “That doesn’t matter,” he continued softly, speaking just for me, “because I love you.”

  I couldn’t breathe.

  Bending his head slowly toward me, he repeated, “I love you, Emma,” before he kissed me, an amazing, perfect, fairytale ending kiss. My head spun; it was like a dream, except I knew it wasn’t, because somewhere I could still hear clapping and cheering and music around us.

  I pulled back from the kiss, just long enough to whisper, “I love you, too.”

  The next time we kissed, everything faded but him. His touch. The feel of his heart beating against mine. And I knew everything really was perfect, just like our song.

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