Don't Get Any Ideas
575 Words
The lunch bell echoed through Golden highschool and within seconds the classroom emptied into a sea of students.
Rose tucked her notebook into her bag.
"So," Jasmine said, appearing beside her as if by magic, "library tomorrow with the hottest guy in school."
Rose sighed.
"It's a project."
"Keep telling yourself that."
"It is."
"I'm rooting for you anyway."
Rose laughed softly.
"I didn't ask you to."
"You didn't have to."
The two stepped into the hallway, blending into the crowd.
On the other side of the room, Maltilda slammed her notebook shut.
"I'm done."
Brielle raised an eyebrow.
"With what?"
"Watching."
Naomi looked up from her phone.
"Uh-oh."
"I'm serious."
Before either of them could stop her, Maltilda stood and walked straight toward Kelvin.
Several students noticed immediately.
Whispers spread through the hallway.
"She's going to talk to him."
"Again?"
"This should be interesting."
Kelvin had just finished putting a book into his locker when a shadow fell across him.
He looked up.
"Maltilda."
She smiled brightly.
"Hi, Kelvin."
"Hi."
"I was wondering..." She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Would you like to have lunch together?"
A few nearby students slowed their pace.
Everyone wanted to hear the answer.
Kelvin closed his locker.
"I already have plans."
Maltilda blinked.
"You do?"
"Yes."
"With who?"
Before Kelvin could answer, Rowan walked over.
"The cafeteria?"
Kelvin nodded once.
"Yeah."
Rowan looked confused.
"You literally eat there every day."
"I know."
Without another word, Kelvin walked away.
Rowan hurried after him.
Maltilda remained standing in the hallway.
"...Did he just reject me?"
Naomi walked over and patted her shoulder.
"Gently."
Brielle shook her head.
"I almost feel bad."
"Almost?" Maltilda asked.
"Almost."
Meanwhile, Rose and Jasmine had just reached the courtyard when Jasmine suddenly froze.
"Oh no."
"What?"
Jasmine pointed behind them.
Rose turned.
Maltilda was walking in their direction.
Confident.
Elegant.
And smiling.
"I don't think she's coming to compliment your shoes," Jasmine whispered.
Maltilda stopped in front of Rose.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Then she smiled sweetly.
"I just wanted to say..."
Rose waited.
"...don't misunderstand the project."
Rose frowned.
"I wasn't."
"Good."
Maltilda's smile widened.
"Because Kelvin talks to everyone."
Rose nodded.
"I know."
"So don't get any ideas."
Rose looked genuinely confused.
"I don't have any."
That answer caught Maltilda off guard.
"...You don't?"
"It's just homework."
Jasmine covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
For the first time in a long while, Maltilda didn't know what to say.
She had expected Rose to argue.
Or blush.
Or deny it dramatically.
Instead...
Rose simply didn't care.
Maltilda turned on her heel and walked away.
The moment she was out of earshot, Jasmine burst into laughter.
"Did you see her face?"
Rose adjusted the strap of her bag.
"I think I accidentally offended her."
"You accidentally destroyed her."
Across the courtyard, Kelvin watched the exchange from a distance.
He hadn't heard the conversation.
But he had seen Rose remain calm while Maltilda walked away looking frustrated.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Rowan noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're smiling again."
Kelvin's smile disappeared instantly.
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"I don't smile."
Rowan laughed.
"Keep telling yourself that."
For the first time since arriving at Golden highschool, Kelvin began to wonder if choosing Rose as his partner had been more than just a practical decision.
And somehow...
That thought stayed with him long after lunch ended.
- Writer
