After a few songs, I felt guilty leaving Annie alone for so long, so I told Olivia I was going to sit down for a while.
“I’ll come too. I could use a break.”
We found Annie where we left her, but she wasn’t alone. She was talking to some guy. I couldn’t see his face.
I was about to join them when Olivia grabbed my arm.
“No, leave her. That’s Carlos. She wouldn’t want us to interrupt.”
I whipped my head toward Olivia. “Who the heck is Carlos?”
Olivia laughed. “A guy she’s interested in. He’s in art class with her.” She pulled my arm back toward the dance floor. “Let them talk.”
I allowed Olivia to tug me away, but I kept glancing back to check on my sister. She was laughing, and the guy—Carlos apparently—was smiling at her. Seemed innocent enough.
Olivia wrapped her hand around my chin and moved my head, so I faced her again. Without letting go, she said, “Hey, she’s fine. I promise. He’s a nice guy.” She smirked. “Focus on me.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice.
I floated through the rest of the weekend. Olivia definitely gave the impression that she wouldn’t hate the idea of pursuing something more than friendship with me.
The only question remaining was how Annie would feel about the whole thing.
I put off asking her through the weekend and most of the school week. In the meantime, I tried to play it cool with Olivia, but after how closely I held her at prom, it was like I couldn’t stay away.
I finally cornered my sister in the kitchen Friday after school as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.
“What would you think of me asking out Olivia?”
Annie scrunched up her face as she considered. “It would be kind of weird at first, but I like the idea of you two together.”
That settled it. I was going to tell Olivia how I felt, hopefully kiss her, and ask her to be my girlfriend.
Chapter six
Gage
AfterIcarrytheboxes to the mess hall for Linda, I slide my phone out of my pocket and text Annie.
Gage:
She’s here
Nini:
Just got off the phone with her
Gage:
She was mad?
Nini:
You could say that
Gage:
I don’t know what you were thinking
