5Title: Escapades of the Romantically Challenged
Author: .theSCREAMINGgoblin.
Rating: T
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult
Summary:A series of oneshots revolving around the romantically challenged- pranks, misunderstandings, hookups, breakups, tripups, and generally F-ups galore! It's a terrible disease, you know. Rating slightly varies between chapters- from a low T to low M.
Chapter One- Lover Boy
The two sat upon the sprawling roots of a huge oak tree, silently watching people watching, fingers entwined loosely. The boy fiddled with his thumbs and tucked his shirt in. After a fleeting thought, he pulled the shirt out of his jeans again, reaching up to unfasten the top two buttons. He sat back comfortably for a while, then decided better of it and folded his arms to make a resting spot for his chin.
Needless to say, he was sufficiently nervous- today was the day, the one year mark. And after a whole year of movies and dimly (or "romantically") lit restaurants, he really had nothing to top. He glanced sideways at her, hair rustling in the slight wind, eyes half closed against the sunlight. This would be the perfect time to tell her… -he swallowed- that he…loved her.
Of course, this thought alone brought on another round of jitters.
She rested her head on his shoulder, wavy brown tresses tickling his neck. Strawberry scented shampoo wafted around his nose.
His forehead started to turn damp.
'Kay, this should be no problem, he consoled himself. She probably likes you too. For who you are. Yeah. That seems about right. 'Kay, I'm gonna do it. He took a breath. "Um."
She raised her head slightly, looking at him with a small smile. "Can I tell you something?" She asked him sweetly.
His neck got hot. "Um, sure. That is, uhm, I think I should er, go first." He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and took both of her delicate hands in his. "Well, it's ahh, been a year, and, um, well, what I mean to say is…"
She tried to stifle a giggle. "I'll go first," she offered, looking up at him with huge puppy-dog eyes.
He nodded silently.
She pointed a slender finger at the hot dog vendor. "Will you buy me a hot dog?" She grinned. "With relish?" She stared longingly at the sight- hot, fresh, wieners wrapped in soft bread, topped with the cool bits of relish.
His eyes started to dart back and forth. "Okay, if that's… what you want…"
She laughed, then jumped up. "Let's go, then!" She tugged on his sleeve.
He reluctantly stood up. "Uh, actually, as hungry as I am, I wanted- to tell you… something else."
Already imagining the sweet taste in her mouth, she beamed at him. "Yeah?"
Once again, he took both her hands in his, and brushed back her hair. "I…I…I, I love…you."
Her face took on a childlike expression. "Really?" She questioned.
He nodded, silently cursing himself for sounding like a stupid mute. But it was worth it. She was going to tell him she loved him too, and she was waiting for him to say something, and they'd live happily ever after.
How very cliché.
She grinned again, and hugged him wordlessly. They stood, swaying slowly in the shade of the protective oak tree, enjoying each others' company, alone. He rested his head on top of her head. There was no other place he's rather be… until she pulled away.
"Cut the mushy stuff. Can we get hot dogs now, lover boy?" She teased, poking his waist.
He pulled an overly dramatic disappointed face. "But they cost so much…"
"Awe, lover boy can afford it," she told him teasingly.
He acted horrified. "You better not call me that at school!"
"Oh, don't worry- I'm sure all the girls will be chasing you in no time," she assured.
"Wouldn't you be jealous?" He smirked.
"Of you? Nawwwww…"
Ouch. That one hurt. But, as he was reaching to pay the vendor, it occurred to him she was no better at this than he was.
Possibly even worse.