Dare

Ten

Edited: December 2020

When Monday had come around, I was glad that I had art in first period because that would give Theo and I time to talk about our book recommendations.

"So, was it just a cheesy cliché love story?" I asked him with a teasing grin as we worked on our still life's.

"Okay, I'll admit it wasn't too bad," He said, a small smile playing on his lips.

I scoffed. "You mean it was just so brilliant that you could barely put it down."

"Yeah, that too," He chuckled.

"Well, if its any consolation, I cried at the end of your rec," I told him.

"Softie," He teased.

"So what? You're telling me that neither of those books had you shedding a few tears?" I asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, okay, a little. But I didn't full on cry," He mumbled, causing me to smile in satisfaction.

I couldn't help but smirk a little. "Oh, and if you think that made you cry, wait till I make you read a fanfiction."

"Oh no. There is no way in hell I'll read a fanfiction," He said, shaking his head.

"But it's a Jack Gilinsky one and it's so good and I legit sobbed my heart out in the end," I defended.

"Jack who?" He asked, causing me to gasp.

"Okay, you don't know who Jack Gilinsky is?!" I asked, feeling slightly offended. He simply blanked me. "Jack and Jack? Viners, pop-rap duo? God, Theo, where have you been for the past five years?"

"I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I'm not exactly the teenage fangirl," He laughed.

"Hey, have you ever been horseback riding?" I asked him at random.

"Um, no. Why?"

"Well, you know, it's kinda my thing, and since you won't try something new and read a fanfiction, I figured you could maybe come with me this weekend. That's uh, if you're not busy and all," I said sheepishly, starting to wonder why I suddenly just randomly asked him that.

"Well, if it gets me out of reading a fanfiction, then yeah, I'll come with you," He said

"Fantastic," I grinned.

But suddenly I began to feel a little bad. The stupid dare thing began to hit me again. Ugh, this completely and utterly sucks.

***

After art, I headed off to history.

"Hey, Ella," A voice said as the person fell into step with me.

"Oh, hey, Indigo," I smiled at the girl next to me.

"You started on your essays yet?" She asked me, referring to the two History essays that we had to hand in, in less than a week.

"Uh, nah. I'll probably do it tomorrow or something," I told her.

"Yeah, same," She nodded. "So uh, how's the tutoring going? Theo says you've really made some progress."

"Uh, yeah, it's going okay. I'm at least ten percent smarter than I was before," I said with a small laugh.

"Well Theo's a good tutor, and he has faith in you," She told me.

"Really?" I asked with a smile.

"Yeah," She nodded. "He really thinks you have what it takes to bring your grade up by the end of the year."

"I really hope so," I said, biting my lip nervously.

"But hey, if there's anyone that can help you do it, it's Theo," She grinned before we walked into our classroom.

Walking into our history class, I took my seat and waited for the class to start.

Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I quickly checked the message.

Theo∞: Dutch Courage by Paige Nick. It's a good book and I think you'll like it. You'll find it in your locker. ☺

I couldn't help but smile a little as I replied and then put my phone away.

Wait, how'd he know my locker combination? Who's giving that shit out? Um, sir.

Truthfully, that didn't really bother me. And without even realising it, I was grinning like an idiot for the rest of the day, all thanks to Theo Parker.

***

"So, how's the dare going?" Joey asked me at lunch.

"Fine," I mumbled, picking at my salad.

"I saw you and him looking rather cosy in art," Liam said, although you couldn't miss the bitterness in his voice.

What's his issue?

"Well do you guys want me to do this or not?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at them.

"Come on, El. It's just for fun. You know that," Spencer said, attempting to keep the mood light-hearted.

"And besides, it won't be that difficult to make him fall in love with you," Joey piped in.

"He doesn't have to love me," I mumbled. "He just has to ask me out."

"Relax, it'll be fine," Aimee said as if this were all nothing.

Yeah, easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to break someone's heart.