Forever Forgotten

Chapter 5: Bundle of Nerves II

Chapter 5

Liam's POV

Sadly, I only had three classes with Natalie, but we have lunch together, so that makes me feel better. Asher is in four of my classes and Sage is in three of them. School went by in kind of a blur. I wasn't really focused on what the teachers were saying. I kept thinking about Natalie and how I was going to ask her out. After school we all decided to hang out at the mall. I figured I would talk to the guys about it in the arcade or something.

When we got to the mall, we headed to the food court first. Natalie seemed preoccupied by something so I kept my distance. After a while, Natalie was still lost in thought and everyone else was done eating. I was kind of getting nervous, hoping it wasn't something I had done to put Natalie in this mood.

"Hey Evie, we're going to go ahead and head over to the arcade. Is that alright?" Sage asked. We had all noticed Natalie was checked out of what was going on, so we thought it would be better to give the girls space so maybe Everleigh could pull her out of it.

She smiled at Sage, "Yeah, of course, we'll meet you guys there in a little."

Sadie spoke up, "I'm going to go to the bathroom real fast. Can you guys wait for me at the table?"

"Yeah we probably won't be meeting the guys for at least another ten minutes, so you're fine. If we leave before you get back I'll come to the bathroom to let you know, ok?" Evie said reassuringly.

"Ok, yeah that sounds great. Thanks." Sadie walked off after giving Asher a quick hug.

"Alright guys let's get going. We'll see you guys in the arcade,"Asher stood up and turned to leave. He paused and glanced over his shoulder at Evie, "And Evie, thanks."

"No problem, Ash. We'll see you guys there."

Sage, Asher, and I walked past a few of the stores to where the arcade was. In neon lights it read, OAKHEART ARCADE. We had been coming to this arcade since we were little and it soon became our favorite spot in the mall to hang out together. It was a fairly large arcade, considering the mall itself wasn't that big. There are tables off to the side of the room where they hold tournimettes sometimes. Every other Saturday night, they host Magic The Gathering (MTG) matches and on the others, they host D&D nights. We used to come and participate in the MTG tournimettes. Now we mainly just play COD (Call of Duty) online together. We come to the arcade now just to see wha new cards have come out and talk. Sometimes we play the claw machines just to pass time.

"So guys, I'm thinking about asking Natalie out."

"I already told him to go for it," Asher says while looking at the cards through the case. "Hey did you guys see the new Kamigawa set?"

"No, do they have it here?" Sage asks while leaning around Asher to look.

"Guys please, this is serious. I'm not sure if I should ask her. What if she doesn't like me?"

"I'm pretty sure she does Liam," Sage glances at me,"I agree with Ash. You should just ask her."

"What if it ruins our friendship? Or she thinks I'm a creep or something?" The possibilities start racing through my mind. I think I might just chicken out and not ask her. I don't want to lose one of my best friends.

"Hey," Asher claps me on the back, "everything will be fine."

Sage comes up on my other side. "I think you should just ask her. Her answer may surprise you."

I'm starting to think Sage knows more than he's letting on. Before I can question him though he asks, "Hey do you think the girls are alright? Weren't they supposed to meet us here?"

Asher checks his phone, "Yea they should have already got here by now. Its been almost thirty minutes. Let's go check on them. Liam just ask if you really like her."

We leave the arcade and start heading back to the food court. As we get closer we see the girls are still sitting at the table. The only difference is that Sadie is back at the table.

"Hey guys, I thought we were all meeting up at the arcade?" Sage asks.

Asher also seems to have noticed the girls seem tense. He puts his arm around Sadie, making her blush. "Are we interrupting something?"

"Nope. Nothing at all." Evie winks at Natalie and Sadie. They are definitely up to something I think to myself. I scratch the back of my neck. It's now or never. I take a deep breath and approaach Natalie. "Um, hey Nat? Could I talk to you for a minute?"

"Uh sure Liam." Natalie seems nervous and I start to worry that maybe the guys are wrong. There's no way she likes me back. Maybe I should just ask her a dumb question about homework or something. I start to panic internally. I almost didn't here Evie whistling after us. I did notice Natalie look back blushing.

"Uh ok so here goes nothing." I take a deep breath and grab her hands hesitantly. I really hope my hands aren't as sweaty as I think.

"I don't want this to ruin our friendship, ok? So if you don't feel the same or just don't want to, I promise I'll drop it and we can pretend this never happened." I watch as the color drains from Natalie's face as I spoke. I pratically hold my breath waiting for her to respond.

"What is it? Is everything ok?" Her voice cracks and she looks like she might cry. I notice her wince.

"Um yea everything's fine... I was just wondering if you would like to go on a date with me? I kind of have had a crush on you for awhile." She looks shocked. I think this might have been the wrong move.

"Just forget it. I'm sorry this was stupid, the guys told me I should just go for it," I start rambling, I feel really embarrassed.

She cuts me off before I get any further, which shocks me.

" Yes. I would love to and it's not stupid. I've kind of liked you for awhile too." She blushes and looks at the ground.

"Really? I mean awesome. So does Friday sound good?"

"Yes it does." we walk back to the table, smiling.

"Judging by the smiles on your faces, I'd say it went well? She said yes?" Asher asks raising an eyebrow.

I nod.

"Way to go man, told you it would." Sage says and offers me a highfive. I slap his hand embarrassed.

Evie looks at Natalie smiling. "What'd I tell you? Trust me. I am always right, Nat."

I look between the two and it finally clicks. They all knew we liked each other. They set us up. I just smile and shake my head. I glance at Natalie. She looks happy. Today could not have gone better.