Helping my crush

Chapter four - Trying to ask her out

Chris's POV:

I tried to talk to Bella for the first time, and it was a disaster. I failed. I barely said a whole sentence. If I want to make her go out with me, I need to act better. It's just that when I am around her, I feel weird. Like I'm tongue-tied. I talk with girls every day, but when it comes to her, I can't say anything. Who knows what she is thinking of me? I want to try again, but I don't know if I can do it. That was the first time I was nervous to talk with a girl. If I tell this to someone, no one will believe me. I don't know what to do. If I keep acting like this, she won't talk with me at all. Well, I won't blame her. In her place, I would do the same. Soon the football season starts, which means that I won't have much time for her. It's not like she knows that. I never thought that this would be so hard. Everybody knows me as a social boy. Also, girls' favorite. Now I can't even say anything more than a hi. I don't know what is going on with me. I wonder if dad was the same. He started dating my mom in high school as well. Back then, she was popular, and he was an ordinary boy. It took him time, but he finally talked with her. I wonder when I will be able to do that. It's not like this is mission impossible, but I don't want to confuse her. I definitely didn't make a good first impression. If one day things go in the right direction, she would probably understand why I was acting like that.

I woke up with the thought of Bella. I have to apologize to her. It's not like I did something bad, but I probably gave her mixed signals. I don't even know what happened. The plan was to have a short conversation with her. Well, I failed terribly. I won't be surprised if she doesn't want to talk with me anymore. I messed up. On top of that, Dani made fun of me the whole day. It's not like I don't deserve it. My acting skills were on point. If I continue like that, she will never go out with me.

Finally, I decided to get out of bed. Laying down makes it worse. I went to get ready and later for breakfast. Today we have toast. I love my mom's cooking. She is a pro at this. I sat at the table, and soon Jasmin joined me. Someone is hungry. It's like she hasn't been eating for days. Sometimes I forget that kids need more energy. If I were as active as her, I would train more. Well, I still do it, just not that much.

- Honey, are you ok? You look lost. - mom said, chuckling

- Yes, I'm fine. I was thinking about something.

- Is everything ok? If you have a problem, you know that you can tell us. We'll help you.

- Thanks, but everything is fine. I just still can't get used to going to school. The summer vacation was long.

- You have to do it. Soon the football season starts.

- I know, dad. You don't have to remind me.

- I just want to see my star playing well.

- We'll see. I can't predict what will happen.

- I know that you won't disappoint me.

How do you expect me to rest more often when he talks to me like that? I can't disappoint them. Both with mom work hard, and I need to have good grades. That is the only thing that they want from me. I have only one job, and I have to do it well. The same is for Jasmine. Well, I can't compare myself with her. She is in fourth grade. Her lessons are easier.

After breakfast, I walked to school. My mom takes Jasmine to school. I have no problem doing it, but my sister prefers mom. I must be offended, but I'm not. That leaves me time to think. I walked into school and saw Bella standing in front of her locker as usual. Now I can't talk with her. Soon, Dani came, and I went to talk with him.

- Hey, how are you? Look who is there.

- Please don't. I can't talk with Bella.

- Why? I think that you should try again.

- It will only get worse.

- If you don't do it, she might think that you are the wrong type of person.

- What do I have to tell her? I barely make a whole sentence.

- Don't give up. Otherwise, I will tell her everything, and you won't like it.

- No! You can't do this.

- Then do your job.

- Fine. During the lunch break, I will talk with her.

That will leave me time to think about what I will tell her. I want to go out with her. It doesn't have to be on a date. A simple walk would be enough for me. I want to know something about her. Well, if she likes to talk about herself. I took what I needed from my locker, and both with Dani walked to class. Bella was in this one as well. Of all my classes, we have only three in which we are not together. The teacher was talking, but I wasn't listening. My mind was focused on the girl who was three rows in front of me. I will never be able to talk with her the way I want to.

On the lunch break, I walked to my locker. I want to leave my things before I go to eat. Surprisingly, I saw my parents talking with the coach. I hope that he won't make me train more. That is the last thing that I need. I walked up to them and smiled. Let's hope that I am not in trouble.

- Mom, dad. Can I know why you are here?

- We came to talk with your coach about the team. You and the boys need to stay after classes.

- Why? We didn't do anything.

- It's not something bad. We won't talk now. Go and eat.

- No, he has to do something else first.

I turned around and saw Dani. I know what he wants me to do. For good or bad luck, Bella wasn't in the hall. I was about to walk away when she came out of the girls' bathroom. Now is my chance. I hope that I won't mess up. I walked up to her, and she looked at me. Damn it! I got nervous again.

- Hey.

- Hi. Can I help you?

- Yes, no. I just wanted to talk with you.

- Ok, I'm listening to you. What do you want to tell me?

- It will be a question.

- Go on.

- I wanted to ask if... you... I...

- Chris, are you ok? I have never seen you so nervous.

Maybe because usually, I'm not. The fact that Dani and probably my parents are watching this is not helping at all. It's just a question, but I can't do it. If I walk away, this will only make it worse.

- I want to ask you something, but I don't know how to do it.

- Take a deep breath and calm down. - Bella said and put one of her hands on my shoulder

- Thank you.

- Do you feel better?

- Yes, I do. I wanted to ask if you are free this afternoon. Before you think about it, I am not inviting you on a date. I just want to talk with you.

- I would love to, but I can't. I have to take my sister from school and watch her until my parents come home from work.

- I understand. What about the weekend, or are you busy?

It was visible that something was going on. Bella doesn't want to accept on purpose. I won't ask her personal questions. Moreover, even if I do, she doesn't need to answer. Maybe she just doesn't like me. After my first attempt to talk with her, I would deny it too. I looked at her and saw sadness in her eyes.

- Bella, did I upset you?

- No, I just have to go.

- Wait. You didn't answer my question.

- I can't, I'm sorry. Go and ask someone else.

- But I wanted to go out with you.

- I'm sorry. - she said and walked away

- That didn't end well. - Dani said

- It was on purpose. For some reason, Bella doesn't want people around her.

- At least you didn't fail this time.

- It wasn't better.

- Yes, it was. You made a whole sentence. - he said, chuckling

- Very funny. Let's go now.

After the last class, Bella walked out. I would happily talk with her again, but I can't. I have to meet my team. I wonder what my parents have planned. Dani and I walked into a classroom. There were the parents of all the boys. I am confused right now.

- Hello, boys. Come and sit.

- Mom, for what is all of this?

- Your dad and I talked with the boys' parents and decided to sponsor the team.

- Really? That's awesome.

- We want more students to come to your games.

- Does this include the cheerleaders? I mean the sponsor thing. - Riven said

- Well, they always do a show before your games, so part of the money will go to them as well. Most of them will be for the team. - dad said

- What do you think, boys? Are you up for this? - Dani's mom asked

- Yes! - all of us said in sync

After the meeting, my mom, dad, and I went home. Jasmine was with a friend, and her mom would take her home later. We walked in, and both of them looked at me. I feel like they will laugh at me for something.

- What?

- Even I will say no if someone asks me how you did. - mom said, chuckling

- Can we not talk about this? Please.

- Won't you tell us who she is?

- It doesn't matter. It won't work.

- Hey, don't give up. Your dad was struggling as well, but one day he did it.

- For some reason, Bella doesn't let people get close to her. I don't know why.

- Maybe she has a problem and is not ready to open up about this.

- I don't know. I want to help her, but I don't know how.

- You want to help her or go out with her? - dad asked

- Where is the difference?

- Give her some time. Until then, you can keep talking with her. Make her trust you.

- It's not that easy. Especially when Bella is not talking with people.

- Why? - mom asked

- I don't know. It's hard to talk with her.

- Well, you should keep trying. It takes time for some people to feel comfortable around others. Don't pressure her. One step at a time.

- I can try.

- You like her, don't you?

- Yes, I do, since last year.

- Why didn't you talk with her?

- Because I didn't know how to do it. I have no idea what to tell Bella. I barely make a whole sentence.

- Chris, communication is the key.

- I know. I will keep trying. One day, things might work. Who knows?

With that, I walked into my room, where I spent the rest of the day. I walked out of it only for dinner. I can't stop thinking of her. Why doesn't Bella want to go out with me? Am I that bad? If I ask another girl, she will immediately say yes. Like every girl in school. I think she wants to do it, but something is stopping her. Maybe her parents forbid her to date. No, I don't believe this. Then what is the problem? I will listen to what my mom says and won't pressure her. When the right time comes, she will tell me everything. All I can do is keep talking with her. Bella needs to know that she can trust me. I want to help her, and I will do everything to make sure that she knows it.