Chapter 16: Oh, No

Hannah

"Who's Insta page is that, anyway?" I casually asked.

"It's klauslover," Lucy responded.

"And they go to our school?"

"Seems so." She shrugged, opening her bottle of apple juice. I felt the vibration from my leg, pulling out my phone. Charlie's calling me. Oh.

"Who's calling you now?" Linda asked with her mouth full.

"My uncle. I'll call him back." I slide it to ignore, that's a first, Charlie calling me. And risky. Curiosity got to me, so I searched for the insta profile. It was composed of vampire diaries edits, mostly the main villain Klaus Mikaelson. I got another text from Charlie, he sent me winking emojis. I smiled and shook my head, texting back hearts.

"What's got you smiling there?" Linda teased.

"Nothing," I laughed.

"Is it Louis?" She raised her eyebrows up and down repeatedly.

I shook my head. "Just a sweet edit of Damon and Elena." I put my phone on 'do not disturb' in case a text from him pops on top of my screen. I locked my phone, "what are you doing after school?"

"Me and E are going to the assembly." I stifled my laugh at Edward's nickname, "shut up."

"There's an assembly today?"

"Yep, for the school dance. To put in our votes," she answered.

"Really? I thought we would vote online. On the night of the dance."

"No, the principal doesn't want to risk voter fraud. I think this is like a preliminary."

"What about stuffing the ballot box? And hackers?"

"Are you going?"

"I have nothing to do at home. My uncle will be at work. Sure, I guess. Can I get a ride home?"
"Sure, meet us at the gym later, love ya." She got up with her empty tray.

"Love ya. Tell E I love him too," I waved, sitting by myself for a minute before getting up to throw away my tray. She gave me the middle finger behind her head before leaving. I laughed to myself, I texted Uncle Robert that I'm staying after school. Putting my phone back in my pocket, I headed to my last class.

***

The bleachers were filling up when I arrived. Classes were cut short since the swim meet was today. I met up with Linda and Edward and we walked to the spare seats. As I sat, I saw Charlie standing next to Max. He didn't tell me he was not nominated. I bit the inside of my cheek. He laughed at what Max said but then his smile wilted fast when he looked away. It made me frown, what's wrong with him?

"Hey!" Louis's voice shouted from the other side.

"Hey! Didn't know you were coming," I said with a wave and a smile. He sat right next to me.

"Kind of last minute." I nodded, wringing my hands together. He scooted in more, our knees bumped. The principal said on the microphone that we will begin in two minutes. Lucy was standing next to two of the other nominees, Marissa and Ally, she was holding more buttons and pens. Seth, Austin, Charlie and Max stood on the other end of the principal's podium. The principal began speaking about the upcoming dance, and making sure we put in our votes early. "Who are you gonna vote for?" he asked.

I shrugged, to be honest, I had no desire to vote for anyone, would it matter if I did?

Besides, Charlie hasn't asked me. Would he want to go?

"I might not go," I replied.

"Why?" he asked, leaning on his knees.

"Just don't feel like it."

"She's going," I heard Linda say in a stern tone. The gym was filling up with more of our peers. "Even If I have to drag her."

I rolled my eyes, "Linda..."

"Just because you don't have a date doesn't mean you can't go. Have fun with your friends." She pushed my shoulder playfully.

"And be a third wheel." I pushed her back. "Whoo hoo."

"Louis can take you. Right?" Linda suggested.

"Uh- he probably has a date," I stuttered.

"I was actually going to ask you. If you wanted to," Louis spoke. I turned to him as he had a hopeful look in his eyes. Scratching the inside of his arm while he stared at me.

I opened my mouth to answer, I couldn't reject him but to go with him without Charlie finding out might be a challenge. Without everyone finding out. I swallowed hard, feeling on the spot as all three of them were staring at me, waiting for my answer. "Ok."

"Perfect! Double date!" Linda clapped happily, I shook my head. I'm going with Louis. I pouted internally, it could be fun. If Charlie asked me, I probably would have avoided this. However the inevitable question of why I won't go with him hung over my head and was five feet away from me.

As the principal went on about the dance, Linda elbowed my ribs. "Ooo, look at this!" Linda awed, showing Edward. It's the same instagram page.

"Who is that?" He asked, squinting.

"Don't know, they keep posting them." I took a peek at Linda's phone. It was of the same couple, his hand embraced the back of their head. I raised an eyebrow, I pulled her phone out her hand to get a closer look. The same hashtag in the caption.

"Who are they?" Louis asked.

"They requested to follow me too." I shrugged again, then this pit of worry hit my gut.

"Maybe they're those 'follow for follow' profiles." I handed the phone back to Linda.

"Hello everybody!" Lucy spoke in the microphone, we averted our attention to her, "as you know, when you vote for me, you will see the best looking couple on the dance floor." We all applauded. I clapped three more times. "So, before everyone votes, I do have a question for someone, someone really important to me." She breathed in and out audibly in the microphone. She's so dramatic. I rested my elbows on my thighs, hand under my chin. We all know it's Seth she's taking. "And I hope he says yes." She took the microphone off the stand, bit her lip, turning around, "Charlie Hepburn, will you go to the dance with me?" This made me sit up at attention. Everyone gasped. Oh, no. First I looked at Seth, his face filled with confusion. Then I looked at Charlie. He was frozen, head tilted to the side. What the-?

"Lucy and Charlie? When was this?" Linda asked.

"I don't know." Externally my face was blank. Internally I'm screaming no, jiggling my leg. Someone pushed his shoulder to bring him back from his dazed expression.

"Well, will you?" Lucy asked again. I watched him focused, undistracted as he walked toward her. What is he doing?

"No." That was it. No. A simple no. He spun around and headed to the exits. Lucy's mouth dropped.

"Whoa," I muttered.

"That was cold," Linda said, shaking her head. I agreed. However, I'm glad.

I asked Edward to take me home before my uncle got back, it was getting late.

As soon as I entered my house, I threw my backpack on the ground. I listened to mom's voicemail, informing me they will call tonight due to the time differences. I missed them.

I dialed his number, please pick up.

"Charlie?" I asked after two rings, it clicked from his side.

"Hey," he answered back in the same tone.

"Oh my god," I said with wide eyes, flopping down on the couch.

"Yeah." He spoke in frustration.

"Why would she do that? I thought she was taking Seth." I breathed out, this wasn't right.

"Don't worry."
"But, I'm worried." I sighed, shaking my head. I had a feeling this would happen, this sucks. I dropped my shoulders, leaning against the couch.

"It'll be fine," he assured.

"I hope so. Why didn't you tell me you were nominated?" I picked at my nail beds.

"That's the thing. I was going to tell you today. Swim practice ran late and I wanted to..."

I waited for him to finish, chewing on my nails.

"Hannah, will you go to the dance with me?" My heart skipped.

"Huh?" I asked, hoping I wasn't hearing things. I sat up erect.

"The dance. I was going to ask you at school face to face when I got the chance. This is informal. Better now than never.

"You're really asking me?" I halted at each word.

"Of course." I could cry, he's asking me. It's a step forward for us being together in public finally.

"Yes!" I bounced up and down on the couch cushion, my face hurt from smiling. One step closer for him and me then I stopped. Damn. Louis. I said yes to Louis earlier. Oh, no. "I'll call you later." I ended the call quickly. Damn it. Running my hands through my hair, I looked up to the ceiling. Damn it. I heard my phone ring again.