Annabella couldn't focus during the rest of her classes. She was nervous for her "date" after school, if you could even call it that. Whatever it was it was a start in the right direction.
The final bell of the day rang and Annabella didn't delay getting her stuff from her locker. She decided she would first announce to Kevin that she had sort of ask out Jughead before heading to Pop's. She obviously didn't want to get to Pop's before Jug.
"Kev!" Annabella yelled down the hall and she headed towards Kevin's locker.
"Bella! Why do you look so excited?"
"You know how I was asking you about how to ask a guy out this morning?"
"Yeah. Why... Oh my gosh! Did you ask a guy out today?"
"More or less. It was more in a platonic friendly kind of way, but it's a start."
"Either way I am proud of you girl. Who was it?"
"Jughead."
"Jughead? As in Jughead Jones?" Kevin's face was hit with a look of shock.
"Yes. That Jughead."
"I didn't know you liked him."
Annabella had never been a good liar. Especially when it came to Kevin, but this time she would have to put on a Tony worthy performance.
"I do. I realized it this summer. You've got to admit that the boy is a looker."
At least she didn't have to completely lie.
"Whatever you say."
"I have to get going. I told Jug that I'd meet him after school at Pop's."
"Then get out of here honey. Don't keep your man waiting!"
With that Annabella started on her walk to Pop's.
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Annabella arrived at Pop's full of nerves. She looked around the Chock'lit Shoppe for Jughead and noticed him in his regular booth. She walked over and slid into the booth with him.
"Hey Jug."
Jughead looked up at her and slowly closed his laptop.
"Hey Anna. You wanted me to look at your creative writing assignment?"
"Yeah. If you could." She pulls her assignment out of her bag and hands it to him. "Did you already order something for yourself?"
"I was just joking when I said you should pay for food."
"I can get you a milkshake?"
He looks up from her paper, "Fine. I'll have a strawberry shake."
Annabella waved down a waitress and ordered her chocolate shake and his strawberry shake. She looked down at her hands in her lap as she waited for Jughead to finish reading through her paper. The waitress placed their shakes down and Annabella started sipping on her shake.
"That's really good Anna. Your writing is just so raw."
"You really thinks so?" Annabella was shocked to say the least. She really respected Jughead's writing and having his approval really meant a lot to her.
"Yeah. I really do. There were only a couple grammar issues I noticed, but otherwise it's perfect."
"Thanks. That means a lot to me" She felt a blush creeping up to her cheeks.
The two of them sat in silence as they sipped their smoothies.
"I was surprised when you talked to me this morning." Jughead says breaking the silence.
"You're a great writer and I wanted your help."
"Well I'm glad that you did ask for my help. I've always wanted to talk to you, but I never had the nerve."
Annabella looked up at Jughead with surprise.
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"I've wanted to talk to you for a while too."
"Well then. Maybe we could do this again sometime. I would love to stay longer, but I have to head to work."
"Yeah. We should. I have to get going too, so I get it. Let me give you my number."
Annabella gave Jughead her number and payed the check and they walked out together.
"I'll see you tomorrow Anna."
"See you tomorrow Jug."