"i really did like this girl"

Jett shoved me and I could've fallen straight into a bush if I hadn't regained my balance.

"Quit it. I'm going!" I hissed at him and elbowed him in the arm.

"Remember what I said?" Jett eyed me expectantly.

I rolled my eyes. Jett wasn't the smartest of all people and he thought that it was the same for everyone else. "Ask for her number and be cool."

"Shit. You do remember!" He gasped dramatically with fake surprise.

"Of course I do," I retorted with a scoff. "I don't think with my dick, unlike you."

Jett's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Which is why you don't have a girlfriend."

I waved him off. "Yeah, yeah..."

"Go get her already," Jett urged and placed both his palms flat on my back and began pushing me towards Iris.

I sighed and walked a few metres before shaking my head to try to rid my whole body of the nervous disease that was eating at my bones. It stopped brain and my thinking was curved. I was fidgety and my palms were almost sweating. My stomach churns uncomfortably as I walk closer and closer.

After Jett had come back, we spent the days just like Juvie never happened and we continued where we left off. Jett had clearly learnt his lesson and May was there to guide him in the right path. Everything was normal until a week ago when he brought up my love life, that is, if I even had one. Of course, I trusted Jett and I spoke to him about Iris.

Being the thick-headed person he was, his first reaction was to furrow his brows and question why I would like a girl like Iris. I obviously fought back and used his girlfriend against him. After that, he understood and left it at that.

Then only yesterday, he brought it up again. Jett gave me this whole inspirational speech on how life is too short and a whole bunch of crap but in the end, he somehow convinced me to 'flirt' with her.

I spent the night sleepless, twisting and turning on to my sides, back and front; pulling my comforter with me. My breaths were jagged and heavy and annoyance bugged my head because I couldn't fall asleep. My eyes were closed though and all I could picture were numerous scenarios on how the situation would turn out.

Either she would reject me, ignore me, talk back sarcastically or slap me.

They weren't realistic since her nature was too nice and calm. I remember a few years ago, we had first met at this same school. But at that time, everyone was new and confused. No stereotypes had been glued to anyone yet and everyone was walking around like a lost cloud.

I remember being allocated Locker 156 and Iris was beside mine; 155. Unfortunately, that locker was only for a year so the few years after that, I was stuck next to attention-seekers who wanted to be popular.

Even then, her beauty shone far brighter than any girl I'd seen. I would stare stupidly and shockingly, she never noticed. Her eyes would dart around nervously before she dashed off somewhere. We never spoke; mainly because she never spoke unless she was spoken to first and I was too much of a wimp to try.

She had hardly changed during the next few years. Now she was sitting on a wooden bench surrounded by lively green bushes and trees, with earphones connected to her phone and pencil in hand. I had never seen her artworks but she seemed to really enjoy it because that was all she did every day. The sun was glowing today and it felt like it was smiling down on me and encouraging me to talk to Iris. It gave me more reassurance so I let out a daring breath and continued strolling towards Iris.

Her hair was messily pulled back into a ponytail but a few rebel hair strands stayed by her face and she would always pull it back behind her ears; only to have them fall back out again. She wore simple jeans, a grey hoodie and white converse that she had from at least a year and a half ago.

Most of my friends would never dare leave their houses like that. They were more of associates in the same social circle who didn't really classify me as their friend but a person who boosted their social statuses. Mini skirts, tight tops, heels and makeup were popular and seemed to be the only things that girls in the popular group owned. From all of the times I'd seen Iris in the hallways, she had never worn any of that and it makes her unique. And that's what made me like her.

I sighed.

Stop dreaming about her, you're this close to catching that dream, a stone voice deadpanned inside my head. Act confident. Flirt. Use a pickup line and ask for her number. Don't let your voice waver.

Soon I reached Iris but she never looked up.

My heart thumped loudly and my stomach knotted.

"Iris," I addressed, keeping my voice at a normal pace and volume.

Iris' brows unwillingly creased and she slowly took out her earphones, as if not believing that she heard anything.

"Iris Martin?" I asked stupidly and I mentally slapped myself. Now she'll think you're hesitating, the voice returned mockingly.

"Iris? Hello?" I questioned hesitantly. I waved with my hand, once again, making a complete fool out of myself.

"M-Me?" Her voice was soft and sweeter than honey. I felt the hairs on my arms raise and the butterflies in my stomach started attacking.

"I'm pretty sure there isn't any other person named Iris in this school," I joked idiotically, reminding my brain to slap myself harder later. It was too late to go back now so I pointed at the bench. "Can I sit?" Why didn't you say please? The voice echoed in my head again.

I was so anxious that I didn't even wait for her answer and sat down immediately. I knew I freaked her out somehow because I saw her flinch slightly and edge backwards.

"Because..." I sucked in a deep breath before forcefully pulling my lips up into a smirk. "I wanted to tell you about the book I was writing."

"B-Book?" she stuttered softly and I knew she was confused.

I nodded and tried to be cool. "Yeah, I'm writing a phone book."

"P-Phone b-book?" Iris stumbled on her words and my heart sped up.

I held my breath. "I'm almost done, but it's missing your number."

Then it felt like the whole world crashed down on top of my head. I regretted it Instantly after those words left my mouth.

Iris sat there with her eyes wide, mouth open and absolutely shell-shocked.

I knew Jett's idea wouldn't work. Iris isn't like any other girl who would fall for compliments that easily. I shouldn't have done this. Now she'll never talk to me and she'll hate me.

After what felt like an eternity, Iris began scrambling for her belongings.

"E-Ex-cuse m-m-me," she muttered incoherently as she pulled her bag over her shoulder and turned to walk away.

"Wait!" I shouted after her but she was already running away into the school. "Shit. Shit. Shit. What the hell did I just do?"

I ran a hand through my hair frustratedly and slumped on to the bench.

A shadow appeared and I glanced up to see Jett.

"Didn't go well?"

I shot him a murderous deadpan glare and he held his hands up in surrender.

Jett sat down beside me and patted my shoulder. "It's fine. Just keep doing it. She'll say yes eventually."

"Are you sure? Because it didn't look like it was working." I pointed in the direction she ran in.

Jett shook his head and flicked his wrist. "Nah, she was just shocked."

I nodded and hoped he was right because I really did like this girl.

a/n: vote and comment x