"Two scoops of strawberry please," she says to the counter lady.
"I don't have money," I say when the lady looks at me.
"Just order, I'll pay for it," Darleen rolls her eyes.
"Okay, um, I'll take a scoop of peanut butter and a scoop of banana. Add strawberry syrup, sprinkles, and banana slices."
Darleen gives me an incredulous look.
"Sorry," I feel my cheeks heat up.
"No, it's just I've never seen that combo before. Peanut butter?"
"It's good. I get it sometimes when Jade and I get ice cream."
"How often is that?" she asks as she pays.
I shrug.
We haven't done it in a while actually.
The lady hands me my ice cream and I can't help but lick my lips at the sight of this delicious creation. Darleen giggles when I take a big mouthful and cringe because I get brain freeze. I force a smile through the pain.
"Thanks for the ice cream," I say around a mouth full.
"No problem, so..."
I look from my ice cream to her and raise an eyebrow.
"What's it like in the adventures of Jade and Skylar?" she pushes her own ice cream around.
What's she getting at? She makes it sound so sarcastic like it has a bite to it. Did I make her mad? Maybe she's mad because we never hang out. I didn't know we were even close like that. I mean I only ever see her at practice or at lunch. We hardly ever talk outside of that.
"It's uh, okay I guess."
"That's it? Just okay?" she pushes.
I scrunch my brows together in confusion.
"Come on, I know you two are secretly dating," she says.
Did she say dating!?
I choke on my ice cream causing a big scene. Everyone in the shop turns to look at me.
Me, and, and, Jade!
Since when?
How come no one told me?
"We aren't dating," I say once I gain my composure.
"I saw you," she challenges.
Saw us? Wait a second... at the party! It must have been her who walked in on us making out!
"At the party," she confirms my suspicion.
"No! That wasn't what it looked like. You got it all wrong. I'm not dating Jade, psh. Not that dating Jade would be a bad thing. Not that I like her like that! Or that I don't like her. I mean Jade is a very likable person. She's just Jade."
Darleen eyes me.
"She likes someone else!" I finally spit out.
"Okay wait, so you two aren't secretly dating?"
"Ha! Good one. Me and Jade."
"Wait, are you? You get very hard to read when you're nervous."
"No. It's not like that. Jade doesn't even know it was me she kissed or that I like her. Wait! I meant like as a friend. I don't, I didn't, I, I, I..."
"Relax, deep breaths." We take a deep breath together. "I'm not going to tell anyone. But so we are clear, you do like Jade?"
I glance around to make sure no one is watching us before nodding.
"Wait, if Jade doesn't know she kissed you, who does she think she kissed?" Darleen takes a bite of her ice cream.
"Archer," I sigh.
She laughs.
"It's not funny. I haven't told her the truth, nor do I plan to. She would freak out!"
"I bet, so Jade likes Archer?"
"Yes! Jade likes Archer, but Archer likes you."
"Wait, Archer likes me?"
"Duh! Hello, he's always flirting with you. He can't keep his eyes off you. Are you blind?"
"Well, I guess I never noticed because I like someone else."
"No!" I bury my head in my arms.
She chuckles.
If Darleen likes someone else how will I ever get her with Archer? And if Archer finds out she likes someone else he might just go for Jade. And if Jade gets with Archer I'll die.
"Darleen! It's not funny. I need you and Archer together so that Jade can finally pay attention to me," I whine.
"Oh come on, you really want to get with Jade? I mean you're not exactly Jade material," she takes another bite.
"Don't be mean," I stressfully shovel more ice cream into my mouth.
"You two are like total opposites," she points out.
I shrug.
"What do you even like about her?"
As if Jade could sense we were talking about her, my phone rings.
"It's her! Shh!"
Darleen giggles.
"Hello?" I answer the phone.
"Hey, where are you? Was I supposed to pick you up or something? I noticed you still aren't home."
"Oh, no, I'm with Darleen. We are eating ice cream."
"Oh. Darleen." She deadpans.
"Thanks for checking though."
"Sure, what are best friends for?"
"Right."
"I guess I'll see you later then," she sighs.
"Yep."
Kill me now.
"Okay, bye," she hung up.
I let out my breath.
"Just tell her how you feel," Darleen says.
"No way! I have a plan."
"A plan?"
"A plan to get Jade Tate to fall in love with me. All I have to do is get her attention."
"Right... and how is that coming along?"
"It's uh... coming..."
She smiles and shakes her head at me.
"Just, promise you won't tell," I beg.
"Relax, you can count on me. I'd never hurt you like that."
I sigh in relief.
After we finish our ice cream, she drives me home.
I was about to get out of the car when she stopped me.
"Allow me," she said before getting out of the car and opening the door for me.
"Thanks," I smile at her.
She walks me to my door but stops me before I walk in.
"Skylar, wait, there is something I should tell you."
"What?" I turn to her.
Then she leans in and kisses me! Right there for all to see! I feel my eyes get wide and I pull back, bumping into my front door.
I feel my face heat up bright red.
She looks me dead in the eyes and says, "My crush is you."
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