Chapter 6
"So," K.H said, linking arms with Alexia as they walked through the school halls. "Guess who signed up to be on the school dance-planning committee."
Alexia gasped. "What made you do it?"
K.H winked at her. "Considering this will probably be the first dance I'll have to go alone to, I didn't want to bum around like some loner. Besides, it could be useful to have a best friend on the committee to, you know, jazz up the evening at your request."
"K.H don't be stupid! I'll still go with you!"
K.H looked at her like she pitied her. "Honey," she said with faux gentleness. "I don't think that's up to you to decide."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, Alexia, you're so smart yet such a noob at these things! He has to ask you, duh! Which, of course will happen in just a matter of time."
"How are you so sure? We've barely known each other for a month!" Alexia retorted.
"Well, for starters, you know who I'm referring to," Alexia whacked her on the arm. "And also it's kinda obvious, Alexia, the way he's been looking at you ever since that little study date of yours."
Alexia sigh. "K.H, you're reading too much into this. Besides," she lowered her voice. "Don't get my hopes up."
K.H shook her head and stared Alexia with such pity that it made Alexia feel uncomfortable. "Oh, honey -"
"Don't call me honey! I'm not your councelling client!"
"Alright, alright! Alexia, it looks like I have alot to tell you about the ways of boys. First and foremost, you have to look out for the early stages signals."
"What's that?"
"Signs that he likes you! The way he glances at you like you're some exotic, fantastical mermaid, a dream come to life. The way he says your name like it's the magic word, the key to heaven! Girl," she waved her hands as if casting some magical spell. "You gotta watch out for the signs!" She continued, "And if he isn't acting fast enough, you've gotta intervene! Show him that you're open to his invitation, that you're ready to accept, he's just gotta drop the question!"
Alexia fiddled with her hands. Deep in her heart, she wasn't sure if she was ready to go to the dance with Almier. The dance signified many things (it was a known fact in their school that couples who went to the dance together usually ended up together), and if they went together, it was sure to get tongues wagging. The dance was serious, and Alexia wasn't sure she wanted serious.
Did she really like Almier enough to become his girlfriend? She had always condemed those girls who scrambled to get into relationships the moment a boy threw so much as an acknowledgement their way, so did she really want to fall into the same category as them? And what did Almier mean to her, anyway?
She liked him, that was for sure, he made her heart race and she admired his french ability, so was he a reflection of her innermost desires or simply just the bait for her hormones?
As if sensing her doubt, K.H grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "For Gawd's sake, Alexia, it's just the bloody dance! Just go with the boy! Now you're the one reading too far into it!"
"I don't know," Alexia admitted. "I've never been to the dance with a date before."
K.H frowned. "Then it's time you learnt! You're Alexia freakin' Lee! You mastered Shakespeare in a week, surely you can learn how to attend an event with a male counterpart!" she paused and glanced suspiciously at Alexia. "Unless, there's someone else you'd rather go with."
Alexia's eyes widened. "No! Who else could I be interested in?"
K.H dropped the subject, but she didn't look convinced. "Whatever you say, Alexia. Whatever you say." She linked arms with Alexia once more and led her down the hall.
However, even as Alexia followed her friend to lunch, she couldn't help wondering: Was there?