Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 8

At lunch, Anthony and Elisa are talking, waiting for Ian and Sophie, when Anna starts talking to Anthony.

"Hey, Anthony," Anna said.

"Hey, Anna," Anthony replied in a weird voice.

"Are you doing anything this evening?" Anna said

"Oh, um, uh. N-no," Anthony stuttered.

"I was thinking if you wanted to go out to dinner with me," Anna said.

"No," Anthony said, not meaning it at all.

"Oh, okay," Anna said.

Anna walks off.

"Anthony, what the fuck was that?" Ian said as he walked towards them.

"I don't know, I was nervous," Anthony said.

"You have to go back to her and tell her how you feel," Elisa said.

"I can't do that, she'll think I'm desperate or something," Anthony said.

"Yes you can, and you have to do it," Ian said, aggressively

"No, okay. It's too late," Anthony said.

"Come on, Ant," Elisa said while laughing.

"Well, Eli," Anthony said.

"Oh god, not this again," Ian said.

"Maybe I will," Anthony said.

"Really? You're gonna listen to the person who called you Ant rather than listen to your best friend. And Eli? Really Anthony? Starting that again??" Ian said.

"Yes, and yes," Anthony said.

Anthony finally finds her. He walks over to her but stops, looks over, and sees Ian and Elisa aggressively flapping their hands, telling him to continue walking.

Anna sees him.

"Anthony?" Anna said.

"Hey, I just-I, um, I would love to go out with you," Anthony said.

"Okay, I'll see you at Seasons 52 at about 7 pm," Anna said.

"Okay, see you then," Anthony said.

He walks back to the group and realizes that he has to tell Ian and Sophie what he has done.
He sits down, with a grin on his face.

"So, how did it go?" Ian said.

"We have a date today at 7," Anthony said.

"Oh my god, finally," Elisa said

"What's wrong? You don't look too happy," Ian said. Elisa knows why he's nervous.

"I have to tell you something," Anthony said.

"Okay?" Sophie said as she sat down.

"I sent the university," Anthony started.

"And?" Ian said.

Anthony is really nervous now.

Before he can start the next sentence the bell rings.

"Oh, the bell rang. Best to go to class," Anthony said.

"Anthony, what's going on?" Ian said, now worried.

"Ant, you can do it," Elisa whispered.

Anthony sighs.

"I rejected them," he finally said.

"Oh," Sophie said.

There's silence.

"Okay. Do you want to tell us why?" Ian asked.

"I don't want to abandon you guys, and besides, I didn't even want to go there. But I did get accepted into San Diego State University," Anthony said.

"Like me," Ian said, whipping his invisible long hair. Everyone laughed.

"So?" Elisa said.

"I'm going to San Diego," Anthony said.

"Oh, thank god. I'm not alone," Ian said.

Everyone again laughed.

They walk back to class, knowing that they're late.