My mom was right. Sure, it was hysterical watching the girls jump, shriek, and hide from the malevolent and demonic spirits in the movies. They were even more horrified when I told them they were based on true stories. That was my second mistake of the night.

When I woke up the next morning, I had to hop through the open spots on the floor between their sprawled-out bodies, dodging limbs and hair in the process.

The girls didn't fall asleep until the early hours of the morning. I felt so guilty for causing their fear that I stayed up until the last one went to sleep, that one being Elizabeth, who wanted to keep me company.

"Ahhhh!"

A shrill screech escaped my lips as something wrapped around my ankle.

The girls all shot up, scrambling to find the closest object that can serve as a makeshift weapon or possible defense.

In Mariana's case, it was the empty pizza box. Maddy and Charlotte grasped for the plastic utensils on the coffee table. Lara hid behind Mariana, crying.

"Elizabeth!"

I looked down to see Elizabeth choking out maniacal guffaws into her pillow.

"I knew it! You were scared! Admit it!"

The girls were clearly in shock. Their eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. They were shaken up from all the adrenaline and didn't really comprehend Elizabeth's prank.

"Are you kidding me? What is wrong with you? Look at them! You could've given them a heart attack!" I scolded Elizabeth like a school teacher.

I was coming down from a racing heart, myself. I could only imagine how they felt after being woken up by a bloodcurdling scream after last night.

Elizabeth looked remorseful as she scanned the situation unfolding around her. Her eyes fell on Lara, who was sitting in fetal position surrounded by the girls, who were now trying to comfort her.

I felt horrible. I have to admit, it was partly my fault for freaking the girls out in the first place.

As I went to go console Lara, I made a classic Sara move. What else should I have expected?

Could I have been a normal human being and carefully walked over without tripping on Elizabeth's leg and falling face-first into a pile of pillows and blankets. But, in classic Sara fashion, it was not that simple.

I made a noise that could only be described as a cross between a cat being strangled and a dying toad.

I always manage to embarrass myself somehow.

I pushed myself up from my elbows and gave Lara, who was now directly on front of me, a sheepish smirk.

Next thing I knew, she burst into uninhibited laughter. Her tear-stained face quickly morphed into one of lighthearted exuberance.

The girls joined in and eventually we were all belly-laughing until we forgot about the events of last night and this morning altogether.

Of course, my klutziness managed to kick in at the right time and lighten the mood.

I shook my head at my lack of coordination as I tried to get up.

"Ahh!" I pushed off the floor, triggering a sharp tinge of pain in my left wrist.

"Oh no."

No more laughing.

Elizabeth came over to examine my wrist, prompting another whimper to escape my mouth.

We need to go to the infirmary.

↞↠

"Well, the good news is, it's only sprained. I don't know what I would've done if it was broken."

The girls sighed in relief. They were all waiting outside the exam room as my minor injury was being tended to.

Their eyes were immediately drawn to my splint.

"It stinks that we can't sign it." Maddy lightly touched it as I lifted my wrist for their inspection.

"That's what I said!" Elizabeth was in the room with me while I was being examined. She felt responsible for my fall, even though I insisted that it was all due to my extreme clumsiness. She felt so bad, that I insisted she come in with me to hear the doctor say that it was not a big deal.

It made her feel better, but I could tell she still blamed herself. We were halfway home when I had an idea to take her mind off of it. I'd probably regret it, but it'll be worth it knowing that I made them happy. It could be my little way of saying thank you to the girls for being such amazing friends and putting up with my antics.

"So... Guess who's taking me on a date this afternoon."

They stopped in their tracks and looked at me like the seagulls from 'Finding Nemo.' I felt like fresh bait.

↞↠

I didn't complain or put up any resistance. I figured it would go by smoothly if I just let them do all the primping they wanted.

I relayed the message that it was a casual date, which made them groan.

"But I had this perfect skirt and this blouse is so-"

"He said to wear something comfortable. I'm not going to answer the door looking like a pageant queen." I cut Charlotte off and she just rolled her eyes in acquiescence.

I looked at myself in the mirror after they finished with my outfit, accessories, and makeup. I had completed the look with simple big, fluffy curls.

Soon after they were done adding their finishing touches, someone knocked on the door.

I was surrounded by big toothy smiles that I had to swim through to get to the end of the hall.

I opened it to find a roller skate-wielding Elijah. He wore a playful grin that vanished when he saw the bulky black brace on my wrist.

"What happened? Are you alright?" He was trying hard not to reach for my wrist to investigate further.

"I'm fine. It's just a sprain. I tripped." My face reddened and I looked to my side to see Elizabeth looking down and rubbing her arm in ignominy.

"Seriously, I'm fine! Healthy as a horse!" I plastered a huge smile on my face, but Elijah was unconvinced. He just kept looking back and forth from my face to the brace, his eyes filled with concern.

"I don't think this is such a good idea for today." He lifted the skates that were hanging by his side. "I'm not risking your safety. I have a feeling you don't want to go back to the infirmary anytime soon." He smirked with that last remark.

"You've got that right!" I let out a small chuckle. "Listen, I'm really sorry I ruined our date. It's all my fault." I looked down at my wrist in disappointment. The last thing I wanted to do was foil Elijah's plans. I knew he put so much thought into them.

"Ruin? This was just the method of transportation. The main event has not been revealed yet."

I smiled. Of course, there's more.

"Speaking of the main event, I believe it's time we begin." He held his elbow out so I could loop my arm through his.

The girls started to whisper and giggle behind me.

Elizabeth's mood completely flipped. She leaned into my ear, wanting to add something in.

"He's quite the charmer!" She didn't whisper as quietly as she thought she did. Elijah smirked again as he looked down at me.

"I try." His whisper in my ear sent chills down my spine. He was way more slick than Elizabeth. When he wanted me to hear something, he was good at making sure his message was not heard by anyone else.

↞↠

We strolled through the picturesque courtyards and admired our surroundings. We spoke about all of the famous spots on campus that we wanted to see and all of the classes we wanted to take. We even planned a study date to prepare for our first exam.

After a little while we turned a corner and I was immediately drawn to a beautiful weeping blossom tree. As we got closer, I saw a blanket and picnic basket sitting directly underneath the drooping branches.

I gave Elijah a questioning look. He just smiled at me.

"I thought you would enjoy a simple picnic. I don't just go to fancy restaurants, you know. Sometimes I like something a little more intimate."

A playful half-grin danced on his face.

"Elijah, this is amazing. It's so beautiful." I was taken aback as we sat on the blanket underneath the tree. It was so peaceful. It felt like we were tucked away from the rest of the world as we were sheathed by the natural umbrella.

I helped Elijah unpack the picnic basket. He brought simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which made me smile. I liked that he could go from a ritzy French restaurant to a boxed lunch under a tree and still remain the same Elijah.

There was never any act or show. It was just him.

He interrupted my thoughts with a question.

"Apple juice or water?" He smiled at me.

"Water, please." I was grinning ear-to-ear. He is so adorable.

As we began to eat, he looked troubled.

"What's wrong?" I put my sandwich down on the plate. My wrist was resting in my lap.

"I wish I could've been there to catch you. I would have never let you fall." He was staring at my wrist.

"Elijah, I'm fine. It's not a big deal. You know how accident-prone I am." He still looked upset. "Hey," I put my good hand on his knee. "It doesn't even really hurt anymore. What's annoying is this itchy brace!" I laughed, which prompted him to smile.

"I can take notes for you in class, if you want."

"It's okay. It's not my dominant hand."

"I know. I just want to help."

"I know you do." I gave a small smile. He looked down at his leg. My hand was still on it. I pulled back and blushed. His grin widened.

Time to deviate from the subject!

"So, what was that big surprise that you had to rush home for last night?"

His grin turned into a smirk as he tried to hold back his laughter.

"Oh! I tricked my roommates into watching a horror movie marathon last night! I didn't get any sleep, but it was sooo worth it!"

My face went blank. "Sounds fun!" I responded through gritted teeth. "Evil minds think alike."

He tilted his head and gave me a questioning look. I lifted my wrist.

"I got my comeuppance. I wonder when you'll get yours."

We burst into laughter when Elijah understood what I meant.

"Let's hope it's not an injury. I have a track meet coming up."

"Oh yeah. Charlotte told me how much of a superstar you are."

"Oh, she did." He blushed. "Its not that big of a deal."

"Are you kidding? That's amazing. You should be proud of yourself. It's a big accomplishment to make it on the team, let alone be the star of it!"

He chuckled and looked down, suddenly bashful.

"I'd love to see you compete." I looked at him with a smirk, borrowing his own tactics. "I'll root for you at your next meet. Maybe the girls and I will paint the letters of your name on our stomachs!"

The image made us chuckle.

"I could imagine Elizabeth making all of us paint our faces and everything. She's so gung-ho when it comes to that type of thing!"

"Well, I don't know about the face paint, but I definitely want to see you at my meet."

"Sounds like a plan." Now we both wore half-grins.

Did I just arrange to go see Elijah with the girls? This is going to be interesting.

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Hey guys!

Are you excited for the track meet? I know I am! I think it's time to see Elijah in action.

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Well...