PROTAGONIST is A SHIPPER part 1-3

CHAPTER 11: "A Shipper's rom-com experience."

   I couldn't contain my excitement when I found out. I had decided to call John, to ask if we were still going fishing, the surprise I got when he said he had invited Gita to come with was revealed in my glass-piercing screech throughout the phone. Did this mean what I thought it meant? Had my top-tier ship succeeded? Had springtime come for my best friend? Clearly, I had hoped too much...

   As he told me on the phone that this was his way of paying her back for the movie invite from a couple of weeks back, I couldn't help but sigh, as the tone in his voice revealed this truly was all the invitation meant to him. But I couldn't be too sad though, this still gave Gita a chance.

   I decided to call her as soon as I finished talking with John on the phone. I asked her if she needed my 'professional pairing skills', I don't think I broke rule 6 by asking this, as I think this opportunity fell under rule 7's standards. Gita had accepted my offer. My smile got wider, I had tried to keep it out of my mind, but the fact that none of the girls had asked for my help since the argument had miffed me down. But now I was pumped up.

   Gita and I practiced some confidence-boosting exercises at her house before I left early to turn in for the night. Tomorrow we're going to the mall to find some fishing supplies as John only had one pair, Gita had never fished in her life, so she didn't have anything, and I had left all that stuff back with my parents.

   This was a jackpot, not only would I create scenarios when we went fishing, I could do the same while shopping. I needed to organize my ideas fast.

...

   The day was here, and we were already near the fishing racks. During our mall walk before getting here I had set my plans in motion on multiple occasions, I kept in touch with Gita via com-links trying to help her in conversations, but I have to admit I didn't tell Gita of all my plans. For example, I suggested we got some ice cream before going to look for fishing gear. Gita knew this part of the plan, but what she didn't know is how after they both ordered I conveniently whispered that I had changed my mind and was going to look for a milkshake elsewhere. John took it in stride smiling, while Gita was a nervous wreck. I assured her via com-link while she struck a conversation with John, talking about their favorite ice creams, the place's mood, and background music. They also further discussed the plans for our fishing encounter, while I listened in via com-link from the milkshake place next to the ice cream store. (That milkshake was good though).

   Later I made it, so we all took the long way toward the store. John was none the wiser, and Gita trying to keep her blush under control, while I conveniently said I had to go to the bathroom and for them to meet me at the store. My plan was working perfectly. I thought I would be rusty because of my impromptu withdrawal from ship planning, but I was wrong. This was working out great...

Perhaps too great...

   When I made my way to the store, I turned off the com-link as I found them near the fishing section, I didn't need it since I heard their conversation from where I was. Gita had asked John how fishing worked since she had never done it before, and John was earnestly explaining it to her.

- "So, what kind... What kind of bait do you use John?"

- "I try not to use live bait, I'm more of those guys that use plastic fish baits... Ha-ha... I think they're cute."

- "Yeah Gita, you should have seen the first time we went fishing. When he saw those plastic things, he almost felt bad that they were going to be used to lure the real thing into a trap."