18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Sloane
" H ey buddy," Kurt says as he takes his seat next to me in French class Monday morning. "Did you have fun at Jesse's party?"
I smile at Kurt, "I did, thanks for encouraging me to go." I pull Jesse's shirts out of my backpack. "Can you give these back to him?"
"Are you sure you don't want to keep the Pantera shirt?" Kurt jokes.
I laugh. "Positive, but thanks for thinking of me."
Kurt takes the clothes and stuffs them into his backpack. "Snowball is coming up. Who are you going to ask?"
My stomach grows nervous just thinking about asking a boy to a dance. "Uh, I don't think I'll ask anyone."
"Aww, come on, Sloane, it's our senior year. You should ask someone. Even if it's just a friend."
I fidget with the cap on my pen. "You're my only guy friend, and you've got Shelly." I can't believe how nervous I am just talking about this.
"You could bring someone from another school. What about the guy from the party?"
I look at Kurt with my eyebrows raised. "The guy who pretended like he was going to throw me in the pool and spilled my Coke all over me?"
Kurt nods. "I think Shelly was right. I think he was flirting with you."
I shake my head. "He might have been, but he was a jerk over the summer. I don't want to hang out with him."
"Oh," Kurt says. "Right." He rests his chin in his hand, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. "Isn't there anyone in any of your classes who might be fun to go with?" He grins. "Besides me, of course."
I smile at him. "There's one guy for sure, but I could never ask him."
Kurt bolts upright, his eyes wide and bright with excitement. "Who?"
"It doesn't matter. He would never want to go with me."
"Oh, come on, you totally underestimate yourself. Is this someone you actually talk to in class?"
My shoulders drop, and I glare at him teasingly. "Yes, I actually talk to him."
"Do you have stuff in common?" Kurt asks.
"I guess so," I say as I think about it. "I mean, we definitely talk music and have similar taste, and he's nice."
"See, there you go. Ask him!" Kurt says a little too loud.
"Ooh, ask who and what?" Amber slides into her desk and perches her chin on her hand.
"Nothing," I say as I open my French book and try to busy myself with my notebook.
Amber pops up, her large eyes bugging out of her skull. "Are you talking about Snowball?" She singsongs like she's talking to a child.
My stomach is in knots, and Kurt looks at me sympathetically. "No," I tell her. "I'm not going to Snowball."
"Why not?" she asks with fake concern. "Afraid you'll get turned down?"
My eyes burn, and I start doodling in my notebook willing myself not to cry.
"Amber, lay off," Kurt says in a loud voice. "Why do you have to be so mean?"
At almost the same time, Ramsey says, "Amber, come on."
A look of surprise washes over Amber's face. "What? I was just joking." Now she's the one busying herself with her books because she can tell that no one in this small class is on her side.
Kurt puts his hand on my desk to get my attention. "Hey, sorry," he whispers.
I give him a weary smile. "It's okay."
"You should seriously ask him," he whispers so only I can hear him. "He'd be lucky to take you."
Again, I wish my lack of self-confidence hadn't caused me to turn Kurt down in junior high, even though I’ve never felt butterflies around him like I do with Tyler. Thankfully, Madame Carney walks into the room and starts class. I have never been so grateful to immerse myself in the French language than today. I just wish Amber's desk didn't face mine. I can't even stand to look at her. I wish I had the guts to stand up to her like Kurt did.
After class, Kurt walks with me. "I was thinking about how you're nervous to ask this guy to the dance."
"Kurt, I appreciate it, I really do, but this guy is out of my league. I have no business asking him to go with me."
Kurt grabs my bicep, and we stop. "Seriously, Sloane? You're pretty, funny, smart, and you have great taste in music. Any guy would be lucky to go with you."
I huff out a sigh. "Kurt-"
"Just hear me out," he says as we continue walking. "I know what it's like to be nervous to ask someone out, and I've become a pro at asking in a way that won't make things awkward if I get turned down."
I think about our friendship and nod for him to continue.
"Just do it in a real casual way, like, 'Do you have a date for Snowball, because I'm gonna need someone to join me in making fun of the music they play.' You know, something like that."
"I don't know…" I twist the strap of my backpack as my heart rate increases.
Kurt stops me again and looks at me earnestly. "Look, I don't want you to miss out on what could be an amazing experience. Be bold. Go for what you want, you totally deserve it."
My shoulders relax. "Thanks, I'll think about it."
"Hey," he says quietly. "If I swear to keep it a secret, will you tell me who it is."
I think for a moment looking at Kurt's eager expression. "You have to promise not to tell anyone. Like, I won't talk to you ever again and you'll be forced to talk to Amber in French class instead."
Kurt chuckles and his grin is goofy. "I promise, Sloane. Scout's honor." He holds up three fingers.
"Okay." I lean toward Kurt's ear and feel my cheeks start to burn as I whisper the name of my crush to him.
His eyes go wide, and he smiles broadly. "Nice choice! I figured it had to be a tall guy."
"I'm way out of my league, aren't I?"
Kurt shakes his head. "Not at all," he says earnestly. "I hear he's a decent dude. You should totally do it." He pats me on the shoulder as the warning bell sounds, and the kids in the hallway start picking up their pace. Kurt has to double back to his homeroom which we've already passed. He starts walking backwards and calls out, "Be bold!"
I laugh at him, thankful that he's made me feel better and head to my homeroom.