Frank POV

"Dude, listen." Percy sighed. "Just because everything's hitting the fan at once doesn't mean you need to be here constantly. Go do something. Go see a movie, or go bowling or something."

I snorted. "And who would I do that with? You know I don't like going places on my own."

"Hazel. Duh."

"What do you mean, duh?"

"Frank. You've had a crush on that girl since she moved here freshman year. Just ask her out!"

"It's not that simple." I grumbled, blushing.

"Why not?"

"Well- I- I get butterflies in my stomach, and- when I talk to her I can't think straight-"

"Digest the bugs, Frank. You can totally talk to her. I believe in you."

"Only you, Jackson." I had to laugh at the bug comment. "What do I even do? It's not like I'm gonna just run into her at random."

"Uh, text her? You've got a phone, dude, use it." I could nearly hear him rolling his eyes.

"... Shut up."

Percy laughed. "Goodbye, Frank. Talk to you later, and I wanna hear how it goes."

"Alright. Bye." I heard the beep as he hung up.

I took a deep breath and opened my messages.

Hazel's was on top. She was honestly one of the few people who I actually texted, but lately I hadn't been talking to her quite as much.

Me: hey Hazel

Haz: hey Frank. Something wrong?

Me: Uh... no? I just wanted to talk to you.

Haz: oh. Okay 😊

Me: hey, Leo taught you emojis!

Haz: yep! Anyway, what's up?

Me: I just wanted to see if you were free right now

Haz: I am. Why?

I paused, trying to figure out how to ask. What would we even do? I'd talked to her tentatively for almost 3 years and I didn't know anything she liked to do in public. She mentioned movies a lot.... maybe I could take her there.

Me: do you maybe want to go do something? Together?

Clearly, Frank, of course you'll be doing something together, that's why you asked. I sighed and rubbed a hand over my face.

Haz: oh!

The little dots that meant she was typing popped up. Then disappeared. Then popped up again. I was panicking internally I waited. Finally I decided to start another text saying that she didn't have to if she didn't want to and that I just thought I'd ask if she did want to do something- then my phone made a little whooshing noise and a response appeared

Haz: wow, totally! What did you want to do? There's a skate rink that just opened up downtown, or there's a couple good movies in theaters right now! The new Jumanji movie is supposed to be good, and Black Panther just came out. Or we could go get dinner! I can pay for mine no worries. Or we could go bowling, or the arcade. Take your pick 😊

Dumbfounded, I sent Percy a screenshot of her text.

Percy: That's cute as Hades

Me: WHAT DO I SAY

Percy: um.... just pick one? It's not that hard, Frank 😂

Me: YES IT IS

Percy didn't respond. I groaned and read over Hazel's text again.

Me: okay, um, lets go skating. I've never roller skated, but we can see how it goes

Haz: you've never roller skated?

Me: um... no? I've ice skated, I played hockey when I was in a kids league

Haz: don't worry, I can help. When should we meet?

Me: its downtown, right?

Haz: yep

Me: well it takes 20 minutes for me to take the subway downtown

Hazel: okay same here

Me: so lets say half an hour?

Hazel: sounds perfect! 😊

I smiled at the text and got up, running to the bathroom to find some cologne.

---------------------------------------

"Hey Frank!" I turned around quickly when I heard Hazel shout my name.

She waved, running over to me.

"Hazel! Hi! You look great-" I flushed and smiled at her awkwardly. "Sorry, that's probably weird-"

She giggled, swaying her purple skirt with her hands. "No, you're fine. And thank you."

I nodded and she grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the counter.

"Two for the rink."

The worker looked at the two of us and tapped something in. "Alright. $16.00."

"I'll pay." I quickly pulled my wallet out.

"Oh you don't have to." Hazel said quickly.

"Haz, it's fine." I offered a quick smile before handing my card to the worker.

She giggled. "Well... thanks."

He handed the card back. "Shoe sizes?"

We told him and he gave us two pairs of skates.

"C'mon!" Hazel pulled me over to a table and sat down to take her shoes off. I followed suit.

"Okay, ready?" I looked up and she was standing in front of me, balancing easily on the skates.

"I think so...."

"Here, I'll help." She grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet.

It took me a second to balance, but once I was good, Hazel began to pull me towards the rink. We were both grinning and I wasn't sure, but I thought she was blushing.

I glanced back at my jacket on the table, remembering my phone was there. Oh well, if anyone texted me it could wait.