Two

"Hey man. I actually did talk to my brother," Austin tells me, taking a seat next to me on the floor in the hallway. I look at him, a little confused.

"Huh?"

"Remember our conversation? You wanted me to ask Tristan for advice?" he says, trying to jog my memory.

"Oh right. What did he say?" I ask, playing it cool.

"Well, he said to befriend a girl you're interested in first, that way you can get comfortable being around her before you ask her out," he tells me.

"Oh, okay. I'll uh... I'll try it out. Thanks," I tell him, a little unmoved by his brother's advice. He nods and looks back down at his phone.

"Dylan Julia Roberts, what the heck is up?" Sammy suddenly says, seemingly appearing out of thin air.

"You scared the crap out of me," I laugh. She punches me lightly on the arm and takes a seat on the floor beside us. Austin gives me a small nod, pushing me forward with his brother's advice.

"I'm really glad it's finally Friday. It's been an annoying week," she replies.

"Yeah same here. Are you doing anything exciting this weekend?"

"Nah, just gonna chill. You?" she tells me.

"Yeah, same. If you get bored we can always hang out if you want," I suggest. Austin smiles, making fun of me nonverbally. What a dork.

"Sure, that'd be great. Let me know when you're free and I'll come bother you to death," she responds.

"Sounds like a plan."

***

"Good job, Casanova," Austin teases me once I meet with him for lunch. I roll my eyes.

"Don't patronize me, sir," I reply, sitting down at our table.

"Sorry, couldn't help it. I hope things go well with the hang out. I know this whole thing has had you pretty bummed out," he says. I nod.

"Yeah, I'm not even sure why it has. It's kinda stupid. But now that I'm dedicated, I might as well try. I do like Sammy a lot," I tell him. I do like her a lot. I think.

"Yeah, I can tell. You two have pretty good chemistry."

"Wait, stop talking. She's coming," I nudge him.

"There's my favorite nerds. Whatcha guys chatting about?" she asks, plopping her tray of food on the table and sitting across from me.

"Just school stuff," I shrug.

"Lame. Let me think of a good topic. Hmm..." Sammy says, pondering while picking up a mozzarella stick.

"Shut up Tristan. I do not do that," Marie yells jokingly at Austin's brother, smacking him in the arm as they come near the table.

"Want me to beat him up, Marie?" Austin jokes.

"Yeah, he's bullying me," she says, sticking her tongue out at Tristan.

"You say that like you could take me," Tristan says,

"I can and will," Austin responds.

"Slow your roll, Austin. You're a twig," Sammy giggles. He purses his lips.

"I can destroy him," he throws back.

"If you say so. But either way, I was just saying that Marie is very bouncy. Every time she's talking she starts bouncing. Like a rabbit," Tristan smiles, looking at her. She blushes. It's so clear they have a thing for each other. It's kind of frustrating.

"Guys, do I do that?" she asks, trying to prove herself "innocent."

"Girl, of course you do. It's really entertaining," Sammy laughs. I just nod and agree with her. Marie crosses her arms and pouts.

"Traitors."

I wish I had that kind of magnetic chemistry between me and Sammy. I just don't know if we'll get there.