A Proscriptive Relationship

:A Proscriptive Relationship: 19

I shook my head. "I'm not..."

How could Lance have figured out so many of my fears about liking Mr. Heywood so quickly? I hadn't even mentioned anything about Mr. Heywood at all, and yet he managed to figure out my deepest secret.

Even after all that I had done to him... he still wanted to help me.

I rubbed my eyes and than reached my hand across the table, grabbing Lance's. I squeezed it and he returned the squeeze.

I swallowed the lump in my throat again and looked up at Lance. "Thank you, Lance."

"You're welcome," he responded, a warm smile on his face.

"You're the best friend anyone could ever have," I told him, giving him a watery smile. "And I'm sorry for ditching you that time at the fair, and when you called because you were worried. And-"

Lance laughed, cutting me off. "Holly, we are best friends. Not lovers. You're making me feel like we are a couple that are making up after a huge fight."

I chuckled, pulling my hand away. "I guess you are right."

Lance nodded. "And since we are speaking of couples again, good luck with that teacher."

"He has a name you know," I responded, frowning slightly.

"I don't like him for taking you away from me, so I won't call him by his name," Lance responded, rolling his eyes.

"Taking you from me?" I echoed.

"You know. If you two start dating or something, I'm sure you won't have time for poor, old, Lance."

I shook my head frantically. "I'll always make time for you! And Casey!"

"You promise?"

"Promise!"

Lance laughed. "Good. And while you're at it, you can help me with something."

"Anything," I told him.

"You have to help me find a girlfriend, " Lance said with a wink.

I grinned. "Sounds good."

Lance returned my grin. I suddenly felt at ease. Like all my worries about liking Mr. Heywood went away.

I could actually say I love him, and nothing in my mind made me want to deny it. I could say it.

"I love Mr. Heywood," I said aloud.

Lance raised an eyebrow. "I know..."

"I love him!" I repeated, smiling. "I actually love him. Out of all people."

Lance pursed his lips. "Are you okay?"

I laughed and nodded. "I'm fine! After talking to you, it feels like a weight has been lifted of me. It feels nice."

"Hmm, maybe I should become a counselor then..."

I froze, staring at Lance. Him? A counselor? I could imagine the poor person he was counseling now. Lance would ask what was wrong, and the person would reply about something in their life that was bad, and Lance would go, "Oh... Sucks to be you."

I snickered. It was so him. Lance raised an eyebrow.

"I hope you aren't imagining me as a counselor right now," he said in a slightly offended voice.

"Nah," I lied, smiling again.

We finished our dinners and had a quick desert. The waiter bought the check and, due to Lance's pestering, I ended up paying for dinner. He paid for the drinks.