Nandini Kaur:

I wish this was surprising tbh I’m more curious what made you get your head out of your ass

Me:

well...he asked me to prom kind of??? but that’s not rlly relevant rn

Nandini Kaur:

!? WHAT

Cora Zhang-Agreste:

oh. my. GOD.

Me:

IT’S NOT LIKE I CAN GO ANYWAY IT’S WHATEVER

Cora Zhang-Agreste:

BITCH I’M FILING THE PROM PETITION RN

Nandini Kaur:

omw to sign it cora expect me in 5

Me:

omg STOP I doubt I can go

Me:

but anyway listen. so. idk ace took me to a bookstore today right

Cora Zhang-Agreste:

...............nandini. nandini I can’t do this with her

Cora Zhang-Agreste:

I know karina is oblivious but this is TOO MUCH

Me:

LISTEN TO ME

Me:

we were in this fancy room thing or whatever and it was beautiful and it was that stupid meme where it’s like the stars are beautiful outside u know the one

Nandini Kaur:

AND HE SAID YOU WERE MORE BEAUTIFUL? BROOOO

Me:

not exactly but yes kind of IDK IM PANICKING WHAT DO I DO I THOUGHT THIS WAS ALL A PART OF HIS FAKE DATING THING BUT WHAT IF IT’S NOT

Nandini Kaur:

you’re definitely on a date. pls take pics and post them on IG

Me:

I’m NOT posting pictures of ace on instagram are you OUT OF IT????

Nandini Kaur:

your instagram is on priv it’s not a big deal!!

Cora Zhang-Agreste:

if u don’t post them I’ll post *this* conversation to my story... :)

Me:

you wouldn’t...

Nandini Kaur:

have you MET cora? yes tf she will

Me:

oh my god I hate this you’re both so chaotic

Me:

I have to go he’s gonna see me on my phone bye DON’T POST ANYTHING

I tuck my phone away and lean my head against a bookshelf, wondering if I’ve truly lost the plot of my own life.

Eventually, I decide I need to do something to occupy myself, otherwise I’m going to start screaming. There are children meandering around, so that’s probably not the best option.

I wander through the aisles, scanning for specific titles. Once I have five, I sit down at one of the tables and crack open a retelling of Much Ado About Nothing.

This should be distracting enough.

I’m two chapters in when a shadow looms over me. I look up, trying to ignore the way my palms suddenly feel sweaty. Instead of meeting the reproachful gaze I expect, Ace is smiling down at me.

“Did you get the books you wanted?” he asks.

I nod, gesturing to my stack. Words feel hard right now. I still don’t know what to say to him, but I’m grateful he’s not making it weird between us.

He takes heed of the one I’m reading and chuckles. “A Shakespeare retelling, huh? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”