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I shook the thought away. I didn’t need to second guess this anymore. I had a million reasons not to ask him. But I’d always regret not asking.

I took a deep breath and hurried into the cafeteria. Jacob was standing in line to get pizza. I cut in front of him, to the annoyance of a few people behind us. But I was on a romantic mission, didn’t they see that?

“Hey,” I said.

He was wearing his varsity jacket again today. And it felt strange to see him in it. Because it felt like it still belonged to me.

Jacob smiled. “Hey. I thought you’d be eating with your dad again.”

“He makes me grade papers when I eat with him.”

Jacob laughed. “Seriously?”

I shrugged. “I didn’t mind helping. But that’s not what I wanted to do today.”

“What did you want to do?”

“Proposition you.”

Jacob laughed. “What?”

“Is that... Wait. No. Wrong word. I meant I have a proposition for you.”

“Okay?” He didn’t look super enthused about this. He stepped around me as the line started to move.

I stepped forward too so that I’d still be next to him. “I figured when we broke up, that meant any plans we had disappeared, right?”

“Yes,” he said deadpan.

I swallowed hard. “Well, I am sorry about everything I did. Truly. I’d apologize a thousand times if I could.”

“It’s fine,” he said.

“Okay. Well. I wanted to re-ask you to the Sadie Hawkins dance. As friends,” I quickly added when I saw the pained expression on his face. “Like how you said we could still go to the Halloween party as friends. And we always have so much fun together. Right?” I cringed. I hated how needy I sounded.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh.”

“The Halloween party was like a family thing, Scarlett. The Sadie Hawkins dance isn’t. And I mean, surely you have someone else to ask.”

“Oh,” I said again. “Right. Yeah. Surely.” I shook my head.

“You should go with someone you like.”

“But I like you.” The words just tumbled out. And I instantly regretted them, because he was starting to look annoyed now.

“I told you that we were done, Scarlett. I really don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

It felt like he’d slapped me. “Of course. I’ll stop annoying you.”

“That’s not...”

“No, it’s fine. I get it. Sorry I said anything.”

He lowered his eyebrows as he stared down at me.

“You know what? No, I’m not sorry. And I don’t just like you. I’m still in love with you, Jacob.”