• Alright Alice, just walk up to him and say... something. Anything. He's been your friend for years. Even if he rejects you, he'll still be your friend. What have you got to lose? You know, other than your dignity, your friendship, your chances at love - okay, I've got to stop right there. Just go up to him and try to be as appealing as possible.

    "Hey," I said, flipping my hair behind my ear and leaning close to him. "What're you doing?" I fingered his notebook delicately, working my way to his shirt.
    "What're you doing?" Jake asked, pulling away from me, a quizzical look on his face. "Are you feeling okay?"
    "Just fine," I said, walking closer to him, purposefully moving my hips more than necessary. He took a step away, no longer looking quizzical, but freaked out.

    Okay, that obviously wouldn't work. Come on. He's just sitting there, doing his homework in Study Hall. Looking incredibly cute in a pair a green Bermuda shorts and a plain white T-shirt, fingers absentmindedly twirling his pencil around in his head while he reads... Wait, wait, wait. I'm getting distracted here. Just go up to him and get him to ask you what's going on. He's a nice guy. I'm sure he would do that... Right?

    "H-Hey," I said, my curly brown hair falling in front of my eyes, shielding my face from view. There were butterflies in my chest and my heart was pounding so hard I was surprised that I could even talk.
    "Hey, what's up?" Jake asked, not looking up from his book.
    "N-nothing," I said, which was a complete lie.
    "You're stuttering," he pointed out, a hint of amusement on his voice. "Seriously Alice, what's up?" He pulled my hair away from my face.
    "I have to go!" I shouted, too loud. The feeling of his fingers on my face was just too much.

    I wasn't really that shy, was I? Besides, I was flattering myself. Why would he touch my face anyways? Ugh. It doesn't matter. Playing the shy girl just wouldn't work. That's not how I am... If I'm really in love with him, this shouldn't be so hard, should it? Or maybe it should be even harder. Oh, it doesn't matter. I'll just scream it into his face if I have to, it doesn't matter how I say it as long as I say it.

    "Hey!" I said loudly, not bothering to sit down in the chair next to him. I just marched right up to him and towered above him. I was in charge here, and he would listen to me. "I need to tell you something!"
    "Geez, Alice, no need to shout," Jake said, pulling away from me slightly.
    I blushed, realizing that everyone was looking at me. Study Hall was supposed to be quiet time.

    So obviously just blurting it out wouldn't work. I wouldn't have the courage to shout it out with everyone watching me, either, especially if he just flat-out rejected me. I'm not the kind of girl with that kind of confidence. Should I just go and tell him flat-out all the feelings I've felt for him? How much I'm in love with him? How his blue eyes sparkle and his blond hair falls perfectly around his face?

    "Hey," I said, slipping into the chair next to Jake, who looked up at me expectantly. "I... I have to tell you. You're incredibly beautiful. You're eyes are like sapphires. Your hair is perfect. I stare at you during Study Hall instead of doing my homework. When you talk to me I get nervous. I think about you more than anything else. You are my entire life. Jake... I think I'm in love with you." My eyes felt watery and tears fell onto the table.
    "Erm..." Jake said, moving uncomfortably in his seat.

    Okay, so I came on way way way way way too strong. I could tone it down a little and it could still work. Not be so cliche with all the sapphire nonsense. You know, if I didn't come across so stalker-like. Right? No. No, I couldn't be that open about it. Especially not if I didn't know how he felt about me! Hey, that's it. I'll just ask him how he feels about me.

    "Hey," I said casually, plopping down in the seat next to him.
    Jake looked up at me. "What's up?"
    "Just wondering... How do you feel about me?" I asked, still sounding casual, as if his answer didn't make a difference to me, which, of course, it did.
    "Um. Sorry, what?" Jake asked. I couldn't tell if he was wondering why I asked the question or what I meant by it.

    No, no, no. That wouldn't work. He would take the easy way out and say I'm a great friend, then I'd think I was only his friend and could never be his girlfriend. I'd have an incredibly self confidence loss and it would take hours to get back to where I started on all of this. No, asking him is definitely not the way to go. Boys never talk about their feelings! Okay. I just need to be happy. Friendly.

    "Hey!" I said, hopping into the seat next to him and folding my legs underneath me, showing off how good my legs looked in dark-wash skinny jeans. "What'cha doin'?"
    "Homework. Study Hall is so boring. Unless I'm talking to someone," Jake said absentmindedly, not looking up from his book.
    "Wanna hang out later?" I asked, ignoring what he was talking about.
    "Sure. Who else are you inviting?" he asked.

    Ugh, that wouldn't work. Unless I asked him straight-out, he wouldn't take it as me asking him out on a date. And why would I ignore what he said? Would he flirt with me? Has he flirted with me in the past? Ugh. I dunno. It doesn't matter. Wait a second. Why am I saying hey in all of these fantasies? I don't even SAY hey on a regular basis! Ugh. Oh my gosh. Was that the bell? I spent the entire period just wondering what the heck he would say? No, no! I wouldn't accept it!

    "Jake, wait!" I called, racing up to his side as he walked out the door. He turned around, as cute as ever. Holy snot. This was it. I had to say something. I had just stopped him on the way out of class. But what could I say? Nothing would work. My fingers shook with nerves.
    "Hey Alice, what's up?" he asked, stopping and looking my straight in my brown eyes. I wondered if he thought they were beautiful.
    "I just wanted to say that... I really, really like you," I said, a little shyly. Now I would know what he'd really say. I couldn't believe I actually just came right out and said it. No way would he like me back... right?
    "R-really?" he asked, his blue eyes wide with surprise. Oh, no. Everything is going to be awkward between us. He doesn't like me. He doesn't like me!
    I swallowed and nodded, not looking away from him. I had to be strong.
    "I um..." he said, sounding either nervous or shy, I couldn't tell which. "Well, I... I've been trying to tell you this a really time but, I really like you too."
    I couldn't believe it. I honestly could not believe it. He brushed his fingers across my face. It was nothing like I'd imagined it. And as incredibly unexpected as that was, I absolutely could not believe it when he bent down and kissed me on the cheek. "I'll see you after school, okay? Alice... You're my girlfriend now." He smiled, as if he was just trying the word on for size. He kissed me again on the cheek, and I nearly fainted.

    Huh, so that was it, huh? I now had myself a hot boyfriend, and all I had to do was just say it. Just tell him. I was floating on air. I was in love.