My Best Mate

Chapter 9: I Have A Proposal

We have just now entered the school parking lot.

Though it was a quiet ride, my heart was pounding like crazy. I'm even sweating even though the air conditioner was already maxed.

Not long after, I saw some familiar faces around the lot. They were wearing their own preferred get-up and styles.

Several of our friends were there too. Some were in pairs and others were by themselves. They pretty much looked excited when they entered the premises.

Kyle cruised to the second innermost area and parked there.

While he was turning off the engine, I looked around my seat, checking if I had all my stuff with me.

Frankly, I was just hesitating if I'd ask him to go to prom with me.

When I gained a little bit of confidence, he had already asked about something else. “What are you waiting for?"

“Ah—I just done checking all. I better not forget anything." I chuckled awkwardly. “Thank you, Kyle.” I gave him a hurried smile then unlocked the door to push it open.

I stepped outside and kept looking back at him to thank him.

I carefully walked to the pavement trying not to step on my dress. I don't want to make a fool of myself before I can make it to the dancefloor.

After taking a few more steps, I look behind me again, back to where Kyle’s car is.

I should've asked him.

Because the car was tinted, It was hard to his face or his expressions.

I was focused on the vehicle when I accidentally bumped into someone.

I called his name on my head as I readied myself for impact—then I felt someone’s cold touch and sturdy hand on my side. I was expectant and relieved.

It didn't last long when disappointment fell on my face. He was not Kyle.

The boy before me had straight, brown laidback hair and not the dark blonde who I was hoping to see.

“Are you okay?” He asked while I still stayed secured in his arms.

I quickly got on my feet and steadied myself.

“Ah, y-yes. I’m fine.” I turned my attention back to Kyle’s car again but it wasn't there anymore. Somebody else's car was now moving towards that empty parking lot.

“Thank you—”

“Nichole, right?” the stranger from before asks me.

It was not surprising that he’d know my name since I had pretty much been around both alpha and beta.

I nodded as I started walking again.

He continued the conversation as he matched my pace. “My name's Lawrence. You probably won't know me since—"

“—Since I’m only hanging out with the elites?” I spoke with no interest. I was still bummed by what happened before.

Getting my hopes up that It was Kyle who caught me, and expecting that he'd change his mind at the last minute, is not giving me a good feeling.

“—since I'm always seated at the farthest back of the room. And yes, also because you're with them. They're your friends, so why not?"

Knowing how he still acted well towards me after I behaved rudely to him, I was a bit apologetic. I thanked him again for what he did.

“It’s okay. I understand. It's hard to focus when you're thinking of something or someone in your mind.”

I stare at him as he catches the slight confusion in my eyes.

“The beta. You're thinking about him, right? Were you waiting for him? "

“...No, I wasn't—I mean, he isn't joining prom..."

“I see."

He put his hands in his pockets as we walked slowly inside the school hallway.

“Beta Kyle's popular. Even a pretty girl like you, like him."

I hold my hands timidly together. “Is it really that obvious?”

“You like him or that you're pretty?" He playfully asked.

“T-The former." I stuttered, flushed.

“hmm…” He puts his finger on his chin pretending that he's thinking it over. “If you were holding a sign, maybe it would even get more obvious."

“Uh—I knew it. I was also thinking of doing that. Thank you for the advice.” we both cracked up.

“So—the beta’s not your date?” He probes before offering his hand to support me in climbing the stairs.

I accepted his gesture. “No...he said he had ‘beta duties’ so here I am, dateless for prom.”

“B-but it's not like he asked me to be his date or something. I was hoping he would ask." I quickly added.

“Then he's missing out then."

“About what?"

“You."

My voice got caught up in my throat. I've never been hit on in my life. I was always so busy focusing on someone that I forgot what usually happens in a situation like this.

“You look beautiful—he is missing out."

“You're just saying that. I'm, I'm just okay."

He stopped in his tracks and faced me. “Honestly, when I was behind you before, I would never even guess you are that Nichole Amberts."

He looked straight at me. “You can turn heads, I swear."

I don't know if the forming heat on my cheeks overwhelmed the rosy blush I was wearing on my face. I just hope it wasn't that obvious.

“T-Thank you." I gave him a small smile.

It was the first proper compliment I received this evening besides Aunt Heather's.

Somewhere in me, was hoping Kyle would say the same thing or something similar, but all I got was an ‘alright'.

It had me thinking that no matter how I dress up. Things are not changing. He will never see me as much more than he sees. I was not that different from any others.

Maybe from the past but not anymore.

“So what about you? Where's the lucky lady?"

“Not lucky and no lady."

“Really? When you have such a way with your words and you certainly—" I paused and observed his look for tonight.

Lawrence dressed cooly in his grey buttoned shirt with the three top buttons open. Over it was a dark red jacket and his lower pants having the exact colour. “—pretty presentable yourself. Like a fine gentleman."

“I thought you'd say a playboy but I guess you are a good person. Only someone like you can see the good in me."

I rolled my fingers and then covered my lips to giggle. “Well, I've only talked to you this night. So whose to say? Maybe you are one."

“Uh-uh, no takebacks. You already said I'm handsome."

I raised a brow. “Handsome??"

“Yes?"

I laughed uncontrollably while he air-patted me on my back. Never laughed this much in a while.

The music was playing in the background as we approached the venue of the event. We had just gotten to the top of the short staircase when he got my attention again.

“I have a proposal."

“Fly away." I enthusiastically answered.

“You have no date. I have also...well—no date. So why don’t we go together?"

He tittered nervously while scratching his head. “I don’t know if you would’ve preferred a proper date rather than a rush date though."

He waved his hands a little in front of me. “Don't worry, I don't mean anything bad. Being a gentleman is just in my blood like you said"

“Really?" I keep on grinning.

“So what do you say, Ms. Amberts? Will you be my rush date?” He slightly folds his left elbow away and towards me, showing me his invitation.

He wasn't the person I wish would ask me but I was thankful that I met someone like him to make this once-in-a-lifetime prom enjoyable at the very least.

My eyes gently squinted as I gave him a toothy grin “You know what, that would be goo—“

Just when I was about to hook my arms on him. I was yanked in the opposite direction by another force.

A hand held me in place while I leaned to someone else’s torso.

“She won’t be needing a date because she isn't going.”

I raise my head after hearing the familiar voice.