Chapter Thirty-Seven: Blare:

The first one up was Blare. She couldn’t go bold for this. Wallace looked like the type of guy would take off running at the sight of a woman being strong. No, this called for a gentler approach. Her friends all but laughed at this suggestion.

“You? Being gentle?” one of her guy friends asked. Blare glared at him.

“Shut up,” she muttered. Her friend smiled.

“But seriously, I’m happy for you,” he said. Blare gave him a strange look.

“For what?” she asked. The boy gave her a goofy smile.

“You finally found someone you are interested in,” he said. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Shut up,” she said again.

“What?” he asked. “It’s true.” Blare just rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered as she looked away.

“So when are you going to ask Wallace?” her friend asked. She looked up at him with big eyes.

“Huh?!” she asked. Her friend grinned with his lip ring.

“Come on,” he said. “I’ve seen the way you look at him. I’m surprised you haven’t tried to pounce on him already.” Blare’s face turned bright red.

“Shut up!” she yelled. Her friend threw back his head and laughed. She smacked him on the arm.

“Ow,” her friend said. Blare frowned up at him.

“Is it really that obvious, Marcus?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. Her face looked so red. Marcus smacked her on the back.

“Hey come on,” he said. “You got this.” Blare perked up.

“Thanks,” she said. Marcus grinned.

“Guess who I’m going to ask!” he said. His friend tilted his head.

“I don’t know,” she said. “Joey?”

“Nope,” her friend said. He stuck out his tongue. Blare narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t tell me…” she said. The extra shook her head.

“You can’t be serious. Not Bradley!” she shouted. Marcus gave her a sheepish look. Blare threw back her head and groaned.

“Aw, Marcus, no!” she shouted. He had a sheepish look on his face.

“What?” he asked.

“What happened to Connor?” Blare asked. Marcus frowned.

“He’s straight,” he said with a pout.

“Aw,” she said, panting him on the back. “You’ll find someone better. Just not Bradley for Christ sake! Anyone but him! You can do so much better.”

“What do you mean?” Marcus asked. “I just want him. Why do you hate him so much?” Blare shrugged.

“I just do,” she said. She rubbed her forehead and rolled her eyes.

“What am I going to do with you?” Blare asked.

“Keep me around forever and ever,” Marcus said. His friend just shook her head.

She wasn’t the only one with plans to ask Wallace to the Halloween party.