Chapter Text
You have got to be kidding me.
“Good afternoon, Amelia.”
Please say sike. The man right in front of her was the same insistent dude from yesterday. Just a little while ago, he dragged Amelia to the same spot from yesterday just to have a chat with her. Amelia knows what this guy was going to say and was already exasperated before he could even say anything else.
“So,” he began, “You haven't found any prom date yet?”
Groaaan. Let's just get this over with already. Amelia forced her lips to form a smile, even if it was obviously fake. “Yeah, and?”
The guy crossed his arms. “You do know our deal, correct?”
Ooof course. The stupid deal he managed to persuade her to accept. Why did she even agree to that deal again? Her head was beginning to hurt. Amelia nodded in response. “Yeah yeah, I know.”
And then there was a pause, which confused Amelia for a moment. He's.... suddenly quiet. Is he going to finally take back his words and call off the stupid deal? It's unlikely that he'd do that, yet, she really hopes he does.
“Could it be...” he looked at Amelia with a glint of... some unidentified emotion in his eyes. Amelia wasn't sure how to feel about it. “... that you actually wanted to go to prom with me? And you're not looking for any other date because you don't want anyone else but me?”
WHAT? Amelia looked back at him, baffled (and a little amazed) at the delusional conclusion he came up with. Incredible. This guy needs a chill pill and he needs it now. She brought both of her hands up quickly, gesturing him to stop. “Woah there buddy, you're jumping into conclusions about this,” Amelia tries to stay calm—tries not to punch this guy (his eyes were sparkling, too!!! oh my god.) back down to earth right now. “I've just been busy, uh, trying to pick out some people. It's nothing like what you thought!”
“Oh... alright,” his shoulders slumped in disappointment, but he immediately straightened himself up a few seconds later. The guy cleared his throat. “But our deal still stays as it is. If you don't find a date for prom, you're going with me.”
Amelia sighed. “Yeah, okay.”
“As long as you understand.” he says, uncrossing his arms. “Well, I have to go. See you again tomorrow.”
“Aight. See ya later, dude.” Amelia half-heartedly waved to the guy as he walked away, trying not to let her sarcasm be evident in her voice. As soon as he was out of her sight, Amelia stuck out her tongue to the direction he went to. It's childish, yes, but she just couldn't help it.
Her mood instantly soured after that annoying encounter. Amelia just wished that the guy eventually quits being desperate to be her prom date. But since they made a deal that she should really be worrying about—Amelia didn't have a choice. She turned around and kicked the wall in frustration. To be honest, Amelia liked cheerleading but hated the dumb responsibilities that came along with it. Cheerleading was fun; hyping up the athletes and doing cool stunts that make the crowd cheer, whereas, going on a man-hunt for prom was not.
Wait.
Wait a second.
She could... pretend to be sick, right? Having a pretend-fever as an excuse. But, well, some of them might connect the dots and see through Amelia's lie since she didn't really make an effort with man-hunting like the others... fuck. Oh! Or maybe she could actually make herself sick on purpose? Amelia had no idea how to make herself sick but google will probably help, right? Right? Alright, there goes a backup plan. Hooray for genius Amelia!
“What was all that fuss about?”
Startled at the voice, Amelia's head snapped over to the direction of the voice, meeting familiar green eyes looking back at hers expectantly. “Alice! You were there?” she let out a nervous laugh. “H-how much did you hear?”
“Everything. I was fixing up some of the books in a shelf nearby. Bloody gits pratting around and misplacing books,” Alice grumbled. “Now, what is this... deal about? And who is that lad?”
'So she heard it...' Amelia bit her lip, looking away. This is so embarrassing. Amelia didn't want Alice to hear it, of all people. She'll probably think of Amelia as a loser after this. I mean, who would be foolish enough to agree to a stupid deal like that?
Aside from Amelia F. Jones, the fool herself.
Alice noticed the change in Amelia's behavior—one she knows far too well. Maybe she should have reworded her question. “Amelia, you don't have to tell me if you're uncomfortable with it, alright?”
“N-no i'm just. I don't know, I just...” Amelia trailed off, the same sulky look on her face. This has happened a couple of times in the past; Alice knew about Amelia's insecurity. She secretly knew that Amelia had trouble with befriending other people despite her being an extrovert. It's not like Amelia was very subtle about it, anyway. Alice also knew damn well that she's the only friend Amelia truly had.
“Just what?”
“It's embarrassing, okay?” Amelia finally looked up at Alice. The latter scoffed, trying to lighten up the mood, “I doubt it's as embarrassing as what happened last month.”
“Hey, you promised to never bring it up again!” Amelia flushed, making Alice chuckle a bit. “And no it's nothing like that! It's something else. Cheerleading manhunt stuff.”
“Cheerleading manhunt stuff?” Alice raised a brow. “What. You mean about prom?”
Amelia stiffened. Bingo.
“I knew it.” Alice sighed as Amelia stammered, flailing her hands around. “No! I mean—you're right—but, well! Um.. uhh...”
“What. Is that bloke someone who wanted to be your prom partner, too?” Alice asked, placing a hand on her hip. “That wouldn't be a big deal unless.... he was blackmailing you. Is that why you've been acting weird?”
'Damn it Alice, you're catching on way too quickly!' Amelia struggled to think of some words to say as Alice continues to bombard her with questions. “A~ah fine, I'll explain it! Just promise me you won't think i'm dumb.”
“But you're already daft?”
“Ha-ha, very funny.” Amelia rolled her eyes. “I'm serious Alice,”
“Yes yes, I promise.” Alice waved a hand dismissively. “But as much as i'd like to continue this discussion, i'm afraid we have to go to our next classes.”
What? That time already? “Did the bell ring already?”
“We have three minutes left, Jones. Pay more attention, would you?” Alice brought the hand on her hip down. “I'll listen to what you have to say later, alright? So no texting in class.”
“Bold of you to assume I would text in class.”
“Oh belt up. I know you well enough to know that you'd do it and you know it,” Alice turned around and looked at Amelia over her shoulder. “Now go, else you'll be late.”
“Okay,” Amelia nodded. “Well, see ya later Allie!”
“Yes, now go.” And with that, Alice walked away from where she stood as Amelia rushed over to her next class.
Amelia: hey
alice: No texting.
Amelia: aw :/
Several loud claps from a pair of hands caught the attention of an exhausted group of girls. “Alright ladies, we'll take a 15 minute break and get back to doing our routine after!”
The cheerleaders agreed in unison, some making their way to the bleachers while the others stood and chattered about. Amelia, completely exhausted in her pe uniform, approached the bleachers towards a certain studybug (who was busy reading some novel this time) when her arm suddenly got yanked by someone, startling her.
“Amelia!” Oh god, it's Jenny. “I've got some great news for you!”
“O-oh?” Amelia tries to play along as Jenny tugged on her arm and made Amelia sit beside her. Jenny faced her bag as she rummaged through its contents, taking out a phone and tapping away. “What is it..?”
“Hold on a second.” Something about how Jenny was smiling made Amelia a bit nervous. Although, she already had a hunch of what it probably is. “Ah, here it is!”
She brought up her phone screen right in front of a very confused Amelia's face. The screen displayed a guy with ginger hair and dark blue eyes flashing a confident smile. “So? How about him?”
“W-well...” With a free hand, Amelia scratched the back of her neck. “I guess.. he looks nice...?”
Jenny beamed, “Right? He's Chandler Smith from the football team.” Ah. “None of the girls have come to him I think. You should go approach him! I'm, like, a hundred percent sure he'll say yes! What do you say?”
“I'll... i'll think about it.” Amelia grinned. I appreciate your support, but, sorry Jenny.
“That's great!” Jenny let go of Amelia's arm and actually squealed that Amelia let out a small laugh at her enthusiasm. “I'll text his number to you later, 'kay? Go get him, girl!”
“Yeah, haha. Thanks, Jen.” Amelia gave her a tight-lipped smile and stood up, Jenny giving her a thumbs up to which Amelia gave one back. “I'll see you a little later then!”
Amelia speed-walked towards the bleacher stairs and up to the top row over to where Alice was while she was still engrossed in whatever novel she was reading. The brit was too distracted that she squawked when someone suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “Allie!” Amelia half-whispered and half-whined, her imploring eyes looking at Alice. “You've gotta help me, Jen just tried to hook me up with another guy for prom!”
“What's so bad about that?” Alice whispered back, confused. “Don't you like it?”
“I don't...” Amelia let go of Alice's shoulders and leant back against the wall, frowning. “Okay, look. That guy from earlier and I made a deal. Lame, right?”
“I knew that already. What deal is it?”
A pause. Sigh. “Promise you won't disown me as a friend?”
“Is it that bad?”
“Promise meeee.”
“Alright I promise.” Alice closed her book, placing it on her lap. “Now, hurry up and tell. I won't blow the gaff on you.”
Amelia snorted. “Your words are weird.”
“They are not.” Alice huffed, impatient. “Are you going to tell me or not?”
“I will, I will! Sheesh.” Amelia let out a deep breath. “Alright, here goes.”
Hesitant at first, Amelia eventually scooted closer to Alice and placed a hand to cover her mouth as she explained the whole situation near Alice's ear, the latter listening attentively. After Amelia had finished explaining, Alice just stared at her.
“You are an idiot.”
“Hey, you promised you wouldn't think i'm dumb,” Amelia lowered her gaze, the corners of her lips curling into a frown. “But, well, you aren't wrong...”
They sat in silence, Alice regretting what she said; she didn't mean to make Amelia feel bad. So she broke the silence after pondering for a bit. “Well,” Alice started, “If you're that cheesed off about it... I may have a proposition for you. It could even scare that prat away.”
Amelia looked up at Alice, those curious blue eyes gazing at her. “Really?”
“It's... not my cup of tea, but,” Alice crossed her arms, a faint tint of pink dusting her cheeks, “I am feeling a bit generous today, so take this as something you owe me for—”
A loud whistle echoed throughout the whole gymnasium, interrupting those who were holding a conversation and catching the attention of everyone.
“15 minutes is up ladies, time to do our routine!”
The girls stood up from where they sat and went over to the coach. Amelia stood up, facing Alice, an apologetic smile on her face, “Sorry, gotta get back. Tell me later about it!”
As soon as Alice nodded, Amelia hurried to the bleacher stairs and down to where the coach was, joining the group of cheerleaders paying attention to the coach.
With a sigh, Alice opened her book and resumed her reading session.