Evan

Evan

Okay, as much as I hate what went over at the party, I must say I enjoyed pulling that prank on her. You should've seen her face. It was priceless. The only downside is, she gave me something sweet in return that night and I must say, she really had some hands of steel.

Yeah, It hurt like hell.

"That was so fucking cool, man!" Lance shook his head, wiping his face with a paper towel. We were at the boy's locker room since we just finished our football practice. "That was like the ultimate prank you've ever pulled on her. Nothing could top that."

"Now she hates me more than ever," I snorted. "Thanks a lot, asshole."

"Hey, I know how you can pull another one on her," Lance grinned. I cocked an eyebrow in return. When Lance suggests something, you bet it'll be interesting.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Make her fall in love with you," he said in a low voice, just enough for me to hear. "First, you ask her out on a date then ditch her the last minute."

It sounded awfully good but I've never really ditched anyone on a date before. I mean, I don't ditch girls for the pure fun of it... But with CJ, it's probably worth a try.

"After ditching her on a first date, just say sorry the next time you see her and continue on with the charade. Then break up with her before Senior year's over."

I made a face as I slammed my locker door shut. "Now how the hell is she going to fall in love with me after ditching her on our first date?" I threw a towel at Lance. "It makes no sense. I'm not doing it."

"Oh, CJ will forgive and forget, trust me. I think she has the hots for you." He wiggled his bushy blonde eyebrows at me.

"The hots?" I gave a small laugh. "No, she doesn't."

"I pity the fool who will fall in love with her one day." Lance declared.

Well, the plan sounded perfect. I'm not sure what the outcome will be, but after thinking it over, I nodded approvingly at Lance. "Alright, I'm in."

We both shook hands to seal the deal. At the back of my mind, I was a little worried. We were already past grade school shenanigans. Why am I still following this idiot?

*

"Little tomboy approaching at twelve o'clock." Lance whispered while pretending to browse the menu. We went to that small diner downtown where CJ works at every day after school.

CJ approached us, rolling her eyes. She pulled out a small notepad and a pencil from her apron pocket. As if on cue, a fake smile came on.

"So, what can I get you, gentlemen?" She says in an overly cheerful voice. It was far from how she really spoke back in school.

Lance started to order. He was being a dick at first, but CJ maintained her fake smile and posture while taking down his order. I bumped his shoe underneath to move on. Reece and Roman came next. Her smile faded as soon as she faced me.

She cleared her throat. "And what can I get you?"

It took me a few seconds to answer. I got a little tongue tied when she lost character.

"Uh, can I order a triple fudge banana split... with three cherries on top... whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles..." I stopped momentarily, thinking of an outrageous ingredient to add to my dessert.

"What else, your highness?" She said sarcastically, raising an eyebrow. "We're not really busy today, so you better take your time."

"And oh, yeah... maybe add a little kiss from you?" I winked at her, hoping she'd buy it. I mean, who knows, she might give me a kiss, right? It was a joke, obviously. I just wanted to see how she'd react to it.

"Jerk." She muttered under her breath and went on her way back to the kitchen. I knew she was still pissed at me after what happened that night.

She came back a few minutes later with our orders. As soon as she placed my banana split in front of me, I looked up at her and just had to say it.

"Wait, where's the kiss that I ordered?" My eyes shifted from my dessert to her. She opened her mouth in protest. "I think I need to speak with the manager." I joked, the guys all erupted in laughter.

"Ha - ha, very funny." She retorted and walked away from our table.

To be honest, CJ looked pretty in her work clothes. So different from the usual boyish attire I see her in every day. Every time I see her at school, I couldn't help but mess with her. In a good way, of course. I don't want to disrespect her like what Lance does to other girls.

"Hey." Lance nudged my elbow, breaking me away from my own reverie.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"Are you ready?" He whispered.

At first, I didn't know what he was trying to ask me, but then I suddenly remembered what we talked about. Ah, shit. I completely forgot that I was supposed to do that today. I nodded, releasing a puff of breath. "Yeah, I'm ready."

I just hope everything would work out fine.

*

CJ had just stepped out of the diner. It was already eight-thirty in the evening and I assumed she has just finished her shift. She had a dark gray coat on with a black shirt underneath and her hair was curled up in a bun with a pencil weaved through it.

"Hey, CJ!" I greeted her. I was leaning outside the diner wall.

"Oh, it's you again," she rolled her eyes at me and kept walking. "What do you want this time? Are you still here for that kiss you ordered? Because newsflash, you aren't getting any."

"Oh, come on, babe. You're still mad at me?"

She stopped walking and turned to glare at me. "Duh, isn't it obvious? And don't you ever call me Babe again!"

"Look, I'm sorry, okay," I jogged next to her. "Can we just kiss and make up?"

"Yeah, right. Kiss and make up?" She shook her head. "Sorry, dude. No can do."

She started to walk faster away from me. I tried to keep up. We were already walking about two blocks now and that's when I decided to grab her arm to stop her.

"Look, can you just hear me out for a sec?"

She crossed her arms against her chest. "What's the magic word?"

"Wait, what magic word? Look, we're not back in elementary anymore, CJ."

"Magic word," she said a little louder. "Or else I'm not going to listen to your pathetic explanation."

"Okay, fine. Please?" Seriously, I've never begged. Never. Not until today. I dropped down to my knees. I didn't care if my jeans got soiled from the muddy puddle of water.

"Good," she smiled back devilishly. "I'm all ears."

It took me a moment before I could release what I was about to say. Tongue tied. Again. My hands were clammy, I could feel tiny beads of sweat trickling down my forehead. Okay, here we go.

"Go out with me," I blurted out. Don't forget the magic word. "Please?"

She stifled a laugh. Bingo. That's what I wanted to see.

"Go out with you?" She snickered. "Like, out on a date?"

I nodded, hoping she'll take the bait. "Y-Yeah. A date."

Her tongue brushed her lower lip, eyes squinting suspiciously at me. She's probably weighing in whether it's a good or bad idea to go out with me. If she doesn't, I'll go with plan B. Wait, there is no Plan B, you idiot.

"I don't know, Evan," she groaned. "I mean, no offense, but you're the biggest douche I've ever met. And I will never ever go out with you even if you were the last guy on earth. You and Lance are perfect for each other."

"How hard is it to say yes? Evan James "The hottie" von Detten is asking you out on a date." I bragged with air quotes. She stopped dead in her tracks and faced me.

"My life was great the way it was until you came back to California," she said, jabbing an index finger to my chest. "And because of that little idiotic stunt you pulled off at Lance's party, thanks to you, I'm the laughing stock of BV High!"

"Hey, isn't that what you always wanted? To be popular? You should be thanking me because everyone talks about you now." I laughed, and I know she was seriously ticked off.

Before she could speak, A black Dodge Ram truck pulled up to the curb. The tinted windows rolled down.

It was Trevor.

Shit. What's he doing for here? Out of all the times. Why now?

"Hey, Clarey! Need a ride home?"

CJ nodded, casting me a quick glance. Anger filled her eyes. But before she hopped in, she turned to me.

"I'll think about it." She simply stated before hopping inside the truck.

Up to now, I still have no clue what's the deal between Trevor and CJ. Where they an item at one point, or simply best friends? I guess I'll find out eventually.

*

"Evan, my man! What the hell happened?" Lance shook his head in disappointment as he slid into the booth where I was sitting at.

I shrugged. "I don't know. She told me that she'll think about it." I turned my head over to the table where CJ was at.

"You should've bugged her until she said yes." Lance grabbed a cheese fry from the basket in front of me.

I couldn't keep my eyes off CJ a few tables across from us. That was until our classmate, Tina Levitt blocked my view. Just great. I sighed in frustration.

"Is CJ dating Trevor?" I asked suddenly.

"I don't know," Lance shrugged, following the direction of my gaze. "Why?"

"Nothing, really. Just a thought." I tapped my index finger at the edge of the table.

"I bet she'll never fall in love with you," Lance grinned at me. Wait. Was that a new challenge? "How about it? If she falls for you, then I'm at your every beck and call, your highness."

"Prepare to pay up, Milliken." I snickered as my gaze settled back at CJ who was wearing her black hoodie sweatshirt, chatting along with her friends, Sofie and Trish.

Somehow, she felt my eyes lingering on her so she shot me a daggered look and rolled her eyes at me. After a few minutes, she whispered something to Sofie before standing up to give her friends a hug before exiting the cafeteria.

"This is my chance," I stood up and gave Lance's shoulder a few pats. "Wish me luck."

Celia, Eva, and Masiela finally arrived at our table just as I slipped out from my seat.

"Hi, Evan," Celia chirped. "Hey, where are you going?"

"Hey." I nodded briefly at her before I ran out to catch up with CJ.

As soon as I got out of the cafeteria, I saw her pull up her black hoodie over her head, clutching her textbooks across her chest. I ran alongside her. She was wearing all black, so I had to tease her again.

"Hey, what's up grim reaper?"

"What do you want, von Detten?"

"Look, I just wanted to ask if you've already thought about it," I paused. "You know, what I told you last night?"

She stopped dead in her tracks to scowl at me and started walking again. I went in front of her to block her way.

"Please?" I begged, feeling like an idiot.

"Get out of my way, Evan."

"Come on, it's only one date," damn, I sounded so desperate. "After that, I promise I'll never bother you again for the rest of your life."

"You wouldn't?" She eyed me distrustfully.

I nodded, crossing my fingers at my back. Of course, it wasn't the entire truth. People bump into old friends all the time.

"Okay, one date it is." She said, brushing past me.

Yes! I threw my fist up in the air. I couldn't contain my excitement. As much as I hate to admit it, I've been looking forward to this date since Lance suggested this bet.