Chapter 5

October 9th, Friday

~

The end of school came quicker than what I expected.

Asher and I in physics still continued our plans to go out to eat Tuesday, and it was official we were going to Taco Bell only because of what Jake said last night and that's where I was practicing tonight.

Mr. Will asked about my writing for the contest and I informed him I was still working on it and he said good writing does take time although he was apprehensive to see what I came up with. Jake in that class was annoying as always and I brought up why does he question he doesn't get anything done in that class if he doesn't try...

I think I got his brain working again.

Charlotte showed me some costumes last period before she left early to meet her aunt in the hospital whose in labor, but I felt the costumes were too much or too slutty and we didn't approve of them in the end. She promised she'd keep trying while she was in the waiting room. She was serious and I wondered if she did it because she wanted me to go with her to the party or for Asher...? But knowing her as my best friend, probably both.

So that brings me to now. At home getting ready to go to the Taco Bell with a boy I didn't like.

Jake told me to pretend this was the 'real deal' so I took a shower, re-did my make up, and changed clothes, but I made sure to NOT look as good as I would for Asher.

I didn't want to trigger Jake's feelings considering if Celeste found out.

I'm headed there now in jeans, a red plain shirt, white converse, and my hair in a messy bun. It was cute but....casual. Just an everyday make-up routine. No smokey eye or wing. Just simple and classy.

I showed up and Jake was on his phone chillin' outside his car. When he saw me he looked up with open arms. "Kit-Kat. How nice-" but I quickly plastered my hand in his face and said nonchalantly,

"Let's just get this over with." He chuckled heading inside.

"Alright then."

He opened the door and I began to walk through but he quickly pushed past me and walked ahead of me and I huffed my breath pushing him forward and he laughed. "Can't take jokes Kit-Kat?"

We headed in line and he stared vigilantly at the menu. "So the first and most serious question...." I looked at him. "Whose paying?"

"Asher," I told him. He shook his head.

"No, no, now?" He asked. I glared at him.

"Um you're paying for your food and I'm paying for mine. This is not a date," I informed him searching for my card in my wallet.

"Ha! Ha! You got me good Dee. I've been bamboozled," Jake said with a chuckle. "I thought you had me."

"No you bamboozled yourself," I replied still looking for my card. "I told you loud and clear we're JUST "friends," I included the quotation marks. He laughed as I still searched for my card.

"Haha, I know I know," he backed off. We were next in line and I told him to order his food while I was struggling with my wallet trying to find my card. He ordered and he looked back at me and he chuckled.

"Do you need some help Kit-Kat?" He whispered to me.

"No. I don't want your help," I said quickly. I looked up with a big smile on my face and I ordered still looking for my card after the cashier told me my balance. I guess by my struggle Jake offered to pay for my meal and I told him not to but he did anyway. I crossed my arms and shrugged.

"You know, you could thank me like any other person would," he smiled down at me handing me my cup. I groan.

"Thank you JAKE," I snatched my cup from him.

"Awwww you're welcome Dee. You're so nice," he said sarcastically laughing. 'I cannot believe I actually agreed to this,' I thought as we went over to the soda machine.

We found a seat at these high bar stool tables, and we sat down as he smiled at me as I raised an eyebrow at him. "Is something wrong?" I asked him. He shaped his lips to the side as if he was looking for a problem.

"No....BUT I do know what our next lesson should be about." I gave him a weird look.

"And what's that?" He shrugged leaning forward with his fist on the table and a crooked smile.

"Outfit." I straighten my look at him.

"What??" I said very offended. He shrugged again.

"Outfit," he said like it wasn't a big deal eating the ice out of his cup. He didn't use a lid or straw.

"What?? What's wrong with my outfit?" I asked him defensively. He chuckled leaning back.

"No, no, it's not bad...but I figured out what Asher likes." I quickly soften and I asked,

"Well, what is it!?" He laughed when the cashier came by with our food and I thanked her and Jake reached for his food as I still sat there staring at him waiting for my answer.

"Hehehe, well not technically him.... but all guys." I slumped down in my chair. "Because I'm a guy."

"Jake," I said sharply.

"Hmmmm?" he said through his lips adding hot sauce to his taco not looking at me.

"I don't care what other guys think, I care about what ASHER thinks," I reassured him. He nodded.

"Yes, yes I know, but this goes for everyone. All guys," he backed himself up. I glared at him poking out my lips. He chuckled. "I'm serious!" I sighed fixing my quesadilla. I felt him staring at me but I ignored him and he told me, "Is that what you're going to order with Asher Tuesday?" He asked me. I shrugged to the side.

"Possibly. Why? Is something wrong with this too?" I asked disgustedly. He laughed as I broke it in pieces and placed some mild sauce on the side.

"Nah, it's a good choice. It's better than some soggy, messy, greasy, taco like mine." He bit into his taco and I laughed for real as he was making a mess.

"Oh yeah. Defiantly the better choice," I covered my mouth as the meat was hitting the paper it came in. He was chewing his food looking at me and I couldn't stop laughing. Even though Jake was annoying as let's be honest, he was pretty funny.

He chuckled by my contagious laugh and I finally asked him, calming myself down, "So what do guys like for girls to wear on dates and keep in mind this will be my first one," I informed him. He nodded.

"Yes, yes I know. I'm going to go into detail now, but guys like....you know....a little skin." I gave him a weird look with my eyebrows.

"Like WHAT?" I asked eating my quesadilla. He shrugged poking his lips out.

"You know? Like, legs? A little shoulder." I swallowed my food quickly and held a finger up and I said looking at him exaggerating with my smacks,

"You do understand this is why we have a school dress code right?" I asked him as he must've been unaware. He chuckled.

"I know, I know. But it's the truth," he had to admit. I sighed annoyingly.

"What's so sexy about shoulders anyways? I mean, I understand legs, but shoulders? Really? Come on now." He nodded.

"Shoulders are nice," he told me kind of offended. I rolled my eyes eating again. "Come on, I mean, slim-shiny shoulders is something you can't part with," he told me as if I'd understand, which I didn't. "You know with that natural glow?"

"Well what about the girls who show off their shoulder but have armpit air?" I asked him quickly. "What about them? Maybe that's WHY we don't want to show off our shoulders." He cracked up and I chuckled a bit myself as I don't even know where that came from.

"Well....maybe that particular girl is just a bit more bold than others," he shrugged eating his taco. "Some guys like body hair." I smiled trying my hardest to be upset.

"You guys honestly don't make any sense," I shook my head.

"Exactly. But that's why you have me to guide you," he leaned into me and back to his seat. I let out a pathetic breath.

"Ha, yeah right," I commented licking the inside of my lip. He laughed. We ate for a little and I noticed my hands were messy and Jake handed me a napkin.

"Alright. Step one to eating out on a date...." I sighed as the lecture was coming. "Be aware of yourself." He took a pause between some the words. I nodded wiping my hands.

"Okay so what exactly does that mean?" I asked him. He nodded with his eyes closed as if he knew I was going to ask that question.

"Meaning, be aware of YOUR doing, and what your date is doing as well. Most importantly, you always keep a secret napkin in your lap to avoid spills, drips, and, or,  wipe your hands off when necessary. Pretty simple." I nodded understanding as he kept looking at me. "Does Dee Noelle have a napkin in her lap?" I lied and nodded and he shaped an eyebrow at me and I sighed.

"Fine," I groan. He handed me another napkin and I placed it on my lap and he nodded.

"Ah, we're getting better by the second," he whispered. I glared at him. "Step number two....to a successful date...."

I waited.

"Have manners." I felt offended.

"But I have good manners," I replied sadly. He nodded.

"Yes, yes, I know, but you also have to be aware of your dates manners too. That goes back to step one. Be aware of yourself." He looked at me and I examined him up and down and I leaned back in my chair and said,

"Well, I don't think I'll be wanting to go on a second 'date' with you," I told him with crossed arms. He let his head back as he didn't understand.

"And why wouldn't you Kit-Kat?" He really wanted to know hiding a smile. I leaned back on the table with my right elbow on it.

"Because your manners aren't that great either." He looked down at himself as he had taco sauce and meat all over his paper, greasy hands, and crumbs on his shirt. He chuckled as he was basically going against what he just told me.

"Well you see, I was just testing you to see if you were paying attention," he backed himself up. I busted out laughing.

"Oh sure, sure you were, sure. I don't even see why I would ask you for help now," I told him. He laughed this time.

"Aww, that dug deep Dawn. That dug deep," he placed his hands on his chest.

"I know, 'cause you actually called me by my name," I replied with big head nods. He laughed with wide eyes and I guess he decided to change the subject after he realized he did.

"Haha! Now please, explain to me, why haven't you been on dates in the past?" I looked at him awkwardly.

"If that's a compliment I'm not accepting it from you," I told him with an iffy smile. He smiled too. "But I honestly don't know.... I guess.... I guess guys just don't like me," I shrugged. He let out a breath.

"Aww come on. You're Dawn. Dawn Noel. Who wouldn't want a date a girl with that kind of name?" By now I wasn't sure if Jake was really making me feel better or not....or if he was serious....but I quickly had to change the subject this time because I didn't like it. 

"I don't know, but how was detention for Mr. WILL?" I asked remembering he didn't know his name. He leaned back in the chair.

"It was better than I excepted. I cleaned the desk and under the tables like I promised and it was all fine until he started talking about me and my grades." I giggled secretly. "He said if I fail this six weeks, I'll have to make a B+ or higher before the next report card and you best believe I will not be able to make a solid B in English in the first place," he told me seriously. I tilted my head.

"You're seriously that bad?" I asked him. He nodded hiding his lips, his index finger and thumb over on the crease. I sighed, not helping but to smile. "Do you read?" I asked him randomly. He chuckled with shaped eyebrows.

"Haha, me? Of course I don't, what kind of question is that?" He asked me. I sighed.

"Well, maybe if you start reading more, you might be better in English," I told him. He shook his head.

"But how is reading going to help me? I already know how to read," he question me.

"I know, but simply reading a book every once in while instead of watching a football game on TV can help with comprehension. You should just give it shot," I nodded at him persuasively. He sighed.

"Now what kind of book do you suggest on me reading Kit-Kat?" He asked as if there was no book out there in the world he could read.

"Don't worry, I have plenty. I have recommendations at my house I can look over. You'll love it," I guaranteed. He chuckled as if I was lying.

"Haha, I guess we'll have to see then," he squinted his eyes at me with a smile. I did the same.

"Alright then Jake Lander....if you want this passing grade," I smiled back.

"And that I do," he replied.

"I'm bringing you a book Monday to class." He smiled at me and I did back.

Jake and I didn't talk for a little while as we decided mentally cold tacos aren't good, so we sat there in a friendly silence until Charlotte sent me a text. I took out my phone to check it, but Jake said through his lips,

"Nope, nope, nope." I groan, rolling my eyes hiding a smile.

"Now what?" I asked him.

"Step number three to a successful date...No phones. Phones are simply a no-go at the table," he told me. I shrugged.

"But it's Charlotte. I gotta answer," I told him desperately.

"Best friend, your neighbor, your dog. No phones," he said not looking at me.

"Well why not?" I asked him with crossed arms my phone still on the table. He leaned forward his hands in a fist in front of his face.

"It's not polite. It lets the other person know, 'Hey! You're boring. I guess I'll get on my phone now,'" he said in preppy voice. I laughed.

"But what if its your mom??" I asked him shaking my head and a smile leaning on the table. "What about that?"

"First off your mom should know your on a date, and second off, you ONLY answer if it's a call," he said pointing at me with his finger. I shook my head.

"What's the difference between a call and a text?" I asked him chuckling. He shrugged.

"HE doesn't know it's your mom," he shot back with high eyebrows and a smile.

"But this is also NOT a real DATE," I reassured him. "I won't do this with Asher Tuesday."

"Oh sure you won't," he said sarcastically. "Whatever you do now is what you're going to do with him. Trust," he said. I sighed.

"Well can I please check it anyway? It seems urgent," I nodded puffing out my cheeks.

"Nope." Suddenly I got another text from her and it said 'image' and I knew I HAD to see it.

"But there's a photo with it!" I begged. "It's probably about Caleb Matthew's party!" I told him. He looked at me surprised.

"Caleb? The senior on the basketball team?" He asked. I nodded.

"Well yeah. He always throws house parties. You haven't gone to one? He's been throwing them since our Sophomore year."

"You went to an upperclassmen's party?" He asked me. I shrugged.

"Well sure. I was a JV cheer then and I heard about them through that. We all decided to go so I invited Lotte to come with. We thought we were so cool," I took my phone anyway and open the message hiding my lips in my mouth.

"Oh really? I haven't gone," he crossed his arms. I looked at him over my phone before reading the message.

"Seriously? You never been to a house party?" He shook his head quickly.

"No, no. I've been to all types of parties....I just never been to Caleb's. I have no business to." I chuckled deplorable. I put my phone down.

"Why? You don't like him?" I asked. He shook his head looking down at the table.

"No, I just never been," he shrugged.

"You should. It's pretty fun to be honest," I plastered my phone back in front of my face. I felt him look at me thoughtfully.

"Do people even dress up?" He asked with opened arms. I looked at him.

"Yes they do and they go all out. That's what Lotte and I are talking about now." He chuckled as I opened the message and she sent me a pic of a Tinker Bell dress that was pretty, but actually too pretty so I texted back,

5:51pm
'This is a house party. Not Disney World:P' -me

"Then what are you going to wear?" He asked me. I shrugged putting my phone down.

"Don't know. Plan is, if I or Asher finds a costume before Halloween, we're going to go AS FRIENDS together. I don't really want to go and it's not because of anything I just don't and he's never been to his parties either, so we agreed to that." He sat there a little trying to take it all in.

"Wait.... Why didn't you two just NOT go?" He asked. I got a text from Lotte and I picked up my phone and I said not looking at him,

"'Cause Lotte likes Kevin, and Kevin is Caleb's best friend and she wanted me to go with her so she wouldn't 'go alone'," I quoted 'go alone.' "But its girl code girls never go to parties alone, so I might as well get me a guy friend to go too." He paused a little and began to laugh.

"Girls are weird," he commented. I glanced over at him.

"You guys date us," I said at him moving my head with every syllable.

"Ha, yeah some," he jumped at me. I rolled my eyes texting on my phone, he laughed.

5:53pm
'Sorry! You're right! Don't worry! I'll keep trying!:}
Omg I gtg! I think hear twins!!!?O.O' -Lotte

I laughed putting my phone down and I saw Jake looking at me. "So what are you going to wear Kit-Kat?" He asked me. "A cat costume?" He slapped his knee sarcastically.

"Of course not stupid. Only sluts show up as that.....I wanted something related to Disney." I caught him looking off into a distance. He chuckled.

"So....a princess?" I looked at him.

"Not necessarily....." He gave an awkward look with a breath.

"Well it's either that or a prince." I looked at him quickly. He laughed. "Just kidding-kidding," he backed off. I sighed loosing the tension. "Why not Minnie Mouse?" I looked at him with a blank face and wide eyes.

"Omg...." I said quietly.

"What?" He said looking around.

"That's it! I can be Minnie Mouse!" I exclaimed. "That's perfect! Lotte can't find me a costume but I can totally make up the minnie mouse outfit myself and at a low cost. I never thought I'd say this but thanks Jake. I gotta text Asher." I quickly got my phone again and began tying away as fast as I could and Jake laughed confused.

"I was was just kidding about the Minnie Mouse thing-"

"Nope. Too late. That's my costume for party," I didn't look at him still typing.

"Oh well.... Who are you texting then?" he asked me.

"Asher...." I said grinning way too big.

5:58pm
'Did you find a costume for the party?' -me

He replied two minutes later.

6:00pm
'Nope. You?' -Asher

I giggled just typing it.

6:00pm
'Yup. It looks like it's official now. So you better find one silly.' -me

6:01pm
'Don't worry. I will just for you;) See you Monday Dee. I'm out with the track team:)' -Asher

I literally melted forgetting Jake was still with me.

6:02pm
'See you;)' -me

I slapped my phone down on the table and I buried my head in my arms freaking out with a smile and Jake laughed.

"What happened?" He asked really wanting to know. I slid him my phone to him taking a deep breath calming down.

"He sent.....an emoji...." I said slowly still taking it in. Jake laughed putting my phone down.

"Looks like you're going to a house party with a guy," he raised an eyebrow leaned back in his chair. I nodded.

"Yup and we STILL have our date Tuesday.... This is rolling pretty good," I smiled at Jake. He nodded agreeing.

"Yup, and hey? I made it to Mr. Will's class today on time and I'm getting a book to read," he reminded me. "Things are rolling pretty good." I laughed.

"And you actually remembered his name," I also mentioned. He laughed too.

"I guess I can deal with working with you Kit-Kat," Jake smiled at me with suspicious eyes. I smiled back at him.

"I guess I can too...." I replied just the same.

And that's basically how my night ended. Jake taking me on a practice date and I learned three steps to a successful restaurant date and while in the mix of that, I figured out my costume and Asher sent an emoji. Oh and Charlotte sent a pic of the twins. She claimed they look just like their mother, but I think they looked like any normal new born babies would. Cute and innocent. 

Just like me.

~