Dawn

It turned out that my mind was right- I hadn't been able to get a good night's sleep for the past two nights. I would lie down, tell my brain to go to sleep, and then see something in my room that would remind me of him, so much that I ended up letting my thoughts drift.

And then I'd turn over in the bed, only to see my alarm clock blaring out its shrilly beeps.

I'd fling out a blind hand to make it shut up, roll over onto my side, back facing the threat, and shove a pillow over my face.

Which worked until mum barged into my room, rolled up the blinds, then told me to hurry up or I'd miss the train.

Today was no different. And now Sunday was suddenly looming, a weight on my shoulders that would only pass once Monday arrived- or maybe, gotten only heavier by then if something went wrong.

I was definitely freaked out about my date going wrong. Horribly wrong.

In fact, I was that desperate that when I saw Aria in roll call, I went straight up to her and asked her if she and Jason would like to go on a double date with Noah and I. Kat could hug a beach ball or something.

Replying that she'd love to, and that it'd probably be better for Jason to be there for Noah in case things got out of hand, Aria sat back down to text Jason on the new development.

I hadn't even asked Noah if that was alright.

Never mind.

Now that both Aria and I were sharing the burden of preparing for the beach, my load of worry was considerably lighter.

Especially since Kat accepted the invite, saying that if Noah and Jason ditched us, we could be the Three Musketeers and do girl stuff at the beach. 'We don't need jerks to mess up a perfectly fine day' was what she said.

Nodding and smiling nervously, I went online to check the weather for Sunday- and indeed it seemed as though it would be a cloudless day with deep blue skies.

We were going in the afternoon, around four, so we could experience the sunset.

It seemed so romantic. Note the word seemed.

Though of course, if everything went well, it totally would be a romantic date. 

If everything got messed up... well, that would probably cause some awkward history. 

Focus on the positive, the glass half full with water, not half empty, Dawn.

Okay. No need to stress out. Stay calm. 

I slipped into my seat next to Kat in period five. "How's life?"

Okay, that was random. 

She gave me a weird look. "Boring as hell."

"It won't be on Sunday," I replied. Gosh, I was still thinking about it?

Sighing (in pity I guess) Kat patted me on the back. "Just stop worrying about it, Dawn."

"I know, but I can't! It's so annoying." I scowled at the whiteboard.

"Sad."

I glared at her. "Really?"

When she didn't reply, I glanced over to look at her. 

Inside, I did a double take. 

"You- you got an upper ear piercing!" I got out.

"It's called a helix piercing," she replied, smiling at me. "I'm glad you noticed. Aria still hasn't."

We both turned to look at Aria basically drooling on Jason's shoulder.

Rolling her eyes, she reached up to touch the silver hoop lightly. "I felt like getting one."

I leaned closer to inspect it. The silver hoop was simple, and it looked nice on Kat. 

"I like it," I said approvingly. "It suits you."

"Thanks." 

Then I remembered her parents. "Your mum and dad let you?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "They didn't mind. I guess they think I'm independent enough to do whatever I want. Except for not study."

Grinning, I faced the front of the classroom, only to watch the door open and Noah walk in.

My eyes tracked his movement as he crossed the room, going in between the desks, and coming around to sit right next to me.

Wait. Next to me? Me?

Surely I was dreaming. But there he was, placing his bag on the floor beneath his chair and sitting down.

Oh my god.

I fiddled with my pencil case, shooting Kat desperate glances, which she smirked at and ignored, and let my hair swing forwards to hide my face from Noah.

"Hey."

Was he talking to me? 

"Uh, Dawn?"

Maybe there was a new student called Dawn. After all, it was a fairly common name. 

A light tap on my shoulder confirmed that Noah was speaking to me. His touch was so soft, fingers light as air, I was surprised it was actually Noah. Fabulous.

I turned so I was barely looking at him. "What?"

I sounded so mean. 

He looked slightly taken aback.

Shit. I sucked at this.

"I meant, sorry, um, hi?" 

Now I was ending in questions. 

I could tell he was holding back a small smile. 

"I was wondering if you'd like to hang out with me and Jason today... we're just going for a walk around. Aria will be there too. I can pick you up from your house around three-thirty..."

"Jason and I," I instinctively corrected, then blushed. Who was I to correct his grammar?

"Um, right." He was now close to laughter. 

"I- I can go. Thanks for asking."

It was a decision I'd made on the spot. As long as Mum didn't meet Noah, it'd be all good.

"Will you drive to my house, or walk there?" If he walked, Mum would see him...

"You'll have to give me your address so I can see how far away you are from my house."

"Um..." I didn't give my address to people unless I knew them well- my mum had hammered this rule into me. Perhaps if it was dad's place everything would be different- but he lived further away and it'd be messed up. 

"Could we meet at Jason's house instead?" 

Noah showed no hint of confusion or surprise, and I inwardly thanked him for it. "Of course." 

Turning around, he asked Jason if we could all meet at Jason's house.

Hearing a small cough next to me, I caught sight of Kat giving me a meaningful glance between the 'Jaria' couple and Noah and I. 

Grimacing, I reached out and touched Noah's shoulder, brushing it with my fingers. 

He turned quickly, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Can Kat come?" I asked quietly. 

"Of course she can."

Straightforward and simple. Perhaps it didn't have to be complicated at all. 

*

The sound of Aria's laughter drifted along from behind us as I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. 

The reason I said 'us' was because Noah and I were currently walking next to each other, silent as the grave. 

I bit down on my lip. Hard.

I tasted the hint of blood, the metallic taste fresh on my tongue. This was not working out. Even Noah, who I was quite sure was normally easy around girls, seemed awkward too.

"Where would you like to go?" 

I looked up, then to the side, instantly meeting his gaze. Blinking, I said, "Maybe to the lake?"

Kat, a couple of steps in front of us, who was listening to music, somehow heard over her song and said a little too loudly, "Sure." 

Aria came up beside me, with Jason right next to her. "How's it going?" She whispered.

"Horrible," I replied.

Smiling at me sympathetically, she patted my shoulder. "You'll be fine."

Glaring at her three-word advice, I looked ahead until we reached the lake, and when we got there I followed Kat to the bridge with Aria behind me while Noah and Jason went right to the water's edge, took off their shoes, and sat down.

"I can't do this," I blurted once Kat, Aria and I were alone in the middle of the bridge. "We're not made to be together anyway. We can't even get a conversation started!"

Kat sighed while Aria grabbed my shoulders. "It's your first time you're actually spending time with him... of course it's going to be awkward. Just stay calm."

"But you and Jason started a conversation just fine when you went on your first date!"

Silence.

I glanced at Aria, then at Kat, watching both of their expressions turn into horror.

And then I realised.

I had just admitted to watching Aria and Jason go through their first date. 

Holy shit.

Aria was going to kill me.

And so was Kat. 

Or rather, Kat would be burying my dead body.