Amor

More Than This

"Hey, have you asked anyone to the prom yet?" Abel, one of my best friends ask. "They said no one's allowed to go stag, and so they've even allowed us to ask the other graders."

"No, not yet. maybe sometime this day though. Have you asked anyone yet?" I ask him.

"Yes, Lily, one of my classmates. We're just going as friends though, and we made it clear that we're not into each other." He replied.

"Well, good for you. At least you had the guts to ask someone out." I smirked, earning me a smack on the back. "Where's Zoe anyway?" Zoey "Zoe" was another one of my best friends. The three of us have been inseparable since third grade, where we first met.

"She's still stuck in the classroom, trying to finish "Harry Potter" before the finals come up. Seriously, I don't even know what's up with that series." He said

"Hey! Don't bring Harry Potter into this! It was a good series! You muggle!" I poked him with my fork, waving it like a wand. He just sighed like he was thinking why he even put up with us, then the bell rang.

"I'm going back to class. I've got to cram for the test for the next subject." He said as he packed up his lunch.

"What's your next subject anyway?" I ask him as I packed mine.

"Calculus. At least I can still sort of catch up with them, and Zoey's there to teach me. See ya." He said, then went back to their classroom.

"See you later," I replied, then went back to mine. Ever since we transferred schools and I got separated into another class, I only got to meet them during breaks and after school. I was bitter about it first, but I'll deal.

My mind wandered a little until the teacher walked in. It was already time for Chemistry II and we were into biochemistry already. The subject took my focus and I didn't even notice the time passing. Soon enough, it was already the end of last period. I've decided to ask Zoey for prom. Anyways, what was I to lose? I went to their classroom and waited for those two to come out.

When they both got out and we were already walking out of the school, I spoke up. "Hey, Zoey?"

"Yes?" she said, but before I could ask, someone called her. "Zoey!" It was Brad, one of their classmates. Zoe turned to him.

"Yes?" she asked. He ran over and finally caught up with us.

"Want to go to prom with me? That is if you don't have anyone yet?" He asked. I stopped, listening, and looked over to them. She was swaying a little, from side to side, contemplating his question.

"Yes, nobody's asked me yet." She said. "So does that mean you're agreeing to come with me?" He asked again. "Yes." was her reply before turning red and walking off. My heart sank. What is this I feel? Was I jealous? I was only going to ask her as a friend, so why should I be?

"That, my boy, is how you ask someone to prom," Abel whistled before catching up with Zoey. I shake off my thoughts and follow them.

"So, what was that you were going to ask me?" Zoey's back to normal now as if Brad hadn't asked her to prom a few seconds ago.

"Oh, that. I was just going to ask your help in Chemistry," I lied. I don't want to tell her the truth. It hurts too much.

"Maybe later, in the chat. We're on the same topic right? Biochemistry?" She asked. I just nodded. Before long, we all separated to go our separate ways home. Once I reached my house, I saw my mom on the sofa watching some shows. She was about to ask me something but I cut her off and head to my bedroom. I just lay there on my bed, not bothering to change clothes, thinking of what happened. It wasn't until I felt my pillow being wet did I realize I was crying. The question was, why?

I ended up asking Charlotte, my classmate, to prom instead. I could tell she was thinking that I liked her, and well, she was cute, but I made it clear to her we were just going as friends. The whole week before prom, I was thinking of all the ways and reasons why I was jealous. I came up with the answer pretty quickly, but I didn't want to admit it. I like Zoey, as more than a friend.

But that could never happen. First of all, we have different religions, with me being Roman Catholic and her being Born-Again Christian. She keeps on telling us that the only difference is that they don't have saints and crucifixes and all that stuff, but still. Another reason why I can't be with her is our social status. She's rich. Her family's rich. My family only gets enough money to get by through the years. We can afford stuff, but we'd rather save. Then there's the fact that we're best friends. How do you even look past that? Lastly, I care for her. We're still young, and I'd rather be with her later when we've graduated and have stable jobs and can make our own money than be with her this early and just break up and all that. I know, it's messed up.

-----TIME SKIP-----

It's already prom. After the cotillion and eating, I excused myself from Charlotte to look for Zoey. Maybe if I could only ask her for a dance, that would be enough. I saw Abel first.

"Hey, Alex, you look sharp in that suit," Abel winked. I punched him playfully. "You too," I said.

"Where's Zoey?" I asked. "Oh, there. Look." He pointed to the dance floor. There she was, looking beautiful in a simple blue dress, with little makeup on. I took a sharp breath. I was about to head to her when I saw who she was with. You guessed it. Brad. They were dancing, and she looked happy. I turned away.

"Yeah, they're too chummy, if you ask me," Abel said.

"I'm going home, I've got stuff to do. Bye," I said before walking off. I tried hard not to run because that would be like admitting I didn't want to be there. I just walked, and walked, and walked, not caring where my feet led me. When I looked up, I was at her house. It had started to rain, so I went in and asked her sister, 'cause her parents were not there if I could wait for it to stop there. She let me in, and I sat on the couch beside her while she watched tv, occasionally asking me things about the prom. I tried my best to answer her.

It had rained long and hard, and it was still raining when Zoey got home, arm in arm with Brad. She hugged him by the doorway before he left in his expensive car. She went in once he disappeared around a turn.

"Hey, Soph- Oh, Alex, what are you doing here?" She was surprised that I was there. Sophie, her sister, took this as her cue and left for her room. "I don't know. It started to rain and your house was the nearest so I waited here." I answered.

"Okay, wait here while I change-" she started to go to her room, but I stopped her. Even I was surprised at what I did.

"You know that you can't be with Brad right? You know he's got a reputation." I said. Really, sometimes I just want to sew my mouth closed.

"What are you saying? Brad's good guy. What they say about him cheating o his previous girlfriend was a rumor." She laughed.

"I'm serious," I crossed my arms. "I've seen that guy with his old girlfriends. And consider that I said girlfriends, plural. He had four in a month."

"Why do you even care?" She asked, starting to sound irritated.

"Because" Because I love you. I said, not adding the last part.

"Look, I know you're my friend, but Brad's a good guy. I can assure you of that."

"No, he isn't, you just can't see his true colors yet," I said.

"Yes, he is. What do you even have against him, anyway?" She took a step toward me.

"Nothing," I said feebly.

"Don't you 'nothing' me Alexander. Answer me. What do you have against him?" She asked again. I couldn't stop myself. I took another step towards her, closing our gap, then I kissed her. Full on the lips. Not even five seconds later, I pulled off.

"Now, do you understand?" I asked her. Not waiting for her answer, I left. I opened the door and ran, not caring about the rain pouring down on me and my rented suit.

The next week, I wait for her during recess and lunch. Abel said that she wasn't there. I also went there next day and the next. She still hasn't gone to school. It was already worrying the two of us, and I couldn't help but feel guilty. What have I done?

She didn't come to school for a week. When she did, I went straight to her to apologize. I waited by her locker, not caring if it makes me late.

"Zoey!" I called out once I saw her. I saw a smile flicker on her face for a second before disappearing when she noticed me. She opened her locker and I spoke.

"Look, Zoe, I'm sorry for what happened. I wasn't thinking straight and seeing you with him made me jealous and-" she cut me off.

"It's alright. Let's just forget all of that shall we? I've only got some things to ask you now." She said. I thanked her then looked at her eagerly.

"Why didn't you ask me to prom if that was how you felt? Why didn't you tell me?"

I opened my mouth. "I- I was afraid of what might happen. Of you rejecting me. That we won't be able to get back to how we were before. And the day I was going to ask you, Brad had asked you first." I admit to her. Then she did something that surprised me. She kissed me.

"Now, do you still doubt anything?" She asked.

"Does that mean anything?" I look at her. "Because you know, that stuff can mean a lot of things."

"What, this?" She said, then kissed me again. I was about to go for a third one before we were interrupted.

"So this was where you were! Zoey, I was looking for you!" Abel said, panting. He just ran around looking for Zoey.

"Coming," she said. "See you later, Alex"

"See you," I waved to her.

"Oh, Alex, I didn't see you there! You should also head to our class. It's Calculus first for you guys right? Your teacher's there." He said. Oh, crud. I started to run back to my classroom.

"See you guys later!" I said, then took off running.