His eyebrows rise up so high they peek out from behind the rim of his glasses. He was not expecting me to say that, but it’s all true. I did owe him an apology. I should’ve been honest with him on the date that it wasn’t going to work out between us instead of trying to escape from the bathroom window. And even if I didn’t say anything during the date, I should’ve told him afterward instead of avoiding him at school and asking Kalani to do it on my behalf.
Arthur bites his lip, unsure. “After the date, Kalani told me that you were interested in me and we were essentially a thing.”
Of course she did.
“I’m sorry you were led to believe that, and I should’ve set it straight. I’m sorry for hurting you, but what you’re doing in feeding rumors about me that you know are untrue isn’t right either.”
He looks down at his feet, ashamed. Around us, people gather at their lockers and talk amongst themselves as they travel through the halls. Some of them must be looking at us, but I don’t pay them any attention.
“I know. But I was hurt.” Scarlet blotches spread over his face. “I’ve had a crush on you forever, and you never even noticed me. When Kalani approached me about the date, she said you were really interested in me. You’re, well, you know,you. You’re way out of my league, and I wanted to do everything I could to make sure the date went well. So when Kalani gave me all those tips, I was so grateful. I wanted you to like me.”
“Arthur . . .” I start, not knowing what to say. In a way, he reminds me of myself. He had a crush on me and never said anything, and in the end that only made things worse. It’s similar to how I handled my crush on Emmett.
It’s not really Arthur’s fault he was dragged into this mess. He was led to believe something that wasn’t true, and I feel bad that Kalani used him for whatever weird scheme she had going on to make my dates awful. She must’ve known about Arthur’s crush and his reputation for moving a little fast and still gave him tips to make our date awful without caring about how that would affect him.
Even though at the time I was obsessed with Emmett, I went into every date wanting it to work out and giving them a fair shot. Maybe without Kalani’s tips, I could’ve gotten to know the real Arthur. Who knows, maybe I would’ve liked him?
But that ship has completely sailed. In fact, it’s on another continent, never to return again.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, when I didn’t hear from you after, and then I heard the rumors of you dating other people that you confirmed when I saw you at the library, I was hurt. I’d told basically everyone that we were together, and I had to save face somehow.”
“I wanted to tell you, but I chickened out,” I admit. “Kalani said she’d tell you, which she obviously didn’t do, but either way it should’ve come from me. I hate confrontations and wanted to avoid one with you, but that’s something I’m working on, starting . . . yesterday, I guess. And that includes apologizing to you and confronting you about the rumors.”
Arthur’s shoulders slump. “I’m sorry about starting rumors about you and making the gossip worse. And I’m sorry for saying . . . not nice things about you. That was all uncalled-for, and it was really petty of me. That’s not the kind of person my mom raised me to be.”
I have to bite my tongue from agreeing that Barbara would indeed not approve of this behavior. Or maybe she would? It’s hard to know with that woman. For all I know, she’s pissed at me for not liking her son back and would encourage the slander. But regardless, I do believe his apology.
He straightens up a bit when he says, “If it helps, I’ll tell everyone that nothing I said about you was true.”
He looks like he means it too. He’s watching me eagerly, excited to help put everything back together again.
“At this point, that probably won’t help, but thanks, Arthur.”
He nods, frowning slightly. “Well, I’m still going to set the record straight with the people I told and say something if I hear people talking about you.”
The warning bell rings, signaling we have five minutes to get to class.
“It’s nice that you care enough to tell the truth. Thanks, Arthur,” I say, turning to leave but then stopping. “And no one is out of your league, not even me.”
There’s a hopeful look on his face, and it makes him appear younger, like a kid being told their favorite action hero is coming to town. “You mean that?”
Oh shit. I hope he didn’t interpret that as me saying,Hey, I’m open for another shot with you. Because I amdefinitelynot.
I’m immediately filled with relief when he adds, “Because there’s this girl, Monique, and I really want to ask her out, but I’m worried she’s going to laugh in my face if I do.”
I know Monique. She’s on the debate and chess teams and was accepted to one of the most competitive programs at U of T, which almost guarantees acceptance to med school as long as she does well. She’s a serious girl, but oddly enough, I can see her and Arthur working out.
“Well, Arthur,” I say as we walk down the hall together, “as I’ve learned the hard way, you’ll never know unless you say something. Go for what you want and ask her out. But, piece of advice,don’tbring your mother. And don’t mention baby names. And don’t tell her what she can and can’t do with her future career. And don’t—”
I cut myself off when I notice Arthur nodding attentively. “Yes? Go on. Should I be taking notes?”
“You know what? Don’t listen to any advice from anyone. Ask her out and be yourself. That’s what’s important.”
“Yeah, okay. I can do that.”
We stop walking, and I turn to face him. “But seriously, don’t bring your mom. That’s the one piece of advice that trumps all other pieces of advice you’ll ever get from anyone. Don’t bring Barbara on first dates.”
“Okay, of course. Makes perfect sense.”