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Mitch sat at the school cafeteria, his feet sprawled across the table as he sipped on a juice box. He messed with his hair to make sure it looked messy but in a cool way as he readjusted the leather jacket he was wearing. The sound of soft laughter made him glance over to see Brody sitting at the table with her younger sister. The auburn spoke excitedly with Ruby as she ate a carrot stick. Mitch stared at Brody, noticing her cute pastel top that matched well with her jeans and complimented her high-top converse. How could he not have fallen for her? His heart pitter-pattered each time he saw her smile and seemed to flutter each time he heard her laughter. Shit, he had it
bad
for her. Luckily for him, he felt pretty confident in his flirting skills and game. All he had to do was play it cool and the pieces would all fall into place. As he remained distracted, Mitch failed to see his older brother set down his tray of questionable-looking cafeteria food.
“Hey, Mitch,”
The sudden appearance of Marlon’s voice made Mitch jolt. His hand instinctively clutched around the juice box tighter, making the apple juice spray right up into his nose.
“Oh! Fuck!” Mitch grumbled as he snorted out apple juice and stared down at his wet white t-shirt. “Really, Marlon?”
“Shit, sorry, didn’t think I’d scare you.” Marlon gave an apologetic smile as he tossed a fry in his mouth.
“Yeah, well now I’m going to smell apples for a week,” Mitch groaned then continued to lean back in his chair. His eyes look over at the wall in fake pensiveness as his expression held an air that he didn’t give a fuck about anything.
“What the hell are you doing?” Marlon gave a chuckle as he let a fry swim in the ketchup on his tray.
“Trying to impress Brody,” Mitch messed with his hair again to make it look perfect.
“By looking like a dick?”
Mitch sent a scowl over at his brother, his brows knitted together tightly. “No, dumbass, I’m looking cool. Everyone knows that girls like guys like me.”
“Sure, when you act normal, but not with this act,” Marlon grabbed his burger and took a massive bite. Bits of tomato, onions, and lettuce fell onto the plate as Marlon tried to save any food he could. Mitch watched his brother’s sloppy eating style and shook his head.
“What?” Marlon asked as he swallowed roughly.
“Nothing. I think I’m gonna stick to my own advice. Girls always like guys like me.” Mitch flicked the collar of his leather jacket up and leaned back even further. The metal of the chair legs stretched slightly and he wobbled. A strong breeze would be all it took to have Mitch wipeout on the floor.
“Whatever, just don’t want you shooting yourself in the foot. Where did you get that jacket anyways?” Marlon worked to save the poorly made cafeteria burger but the bun seemed to be deteriorating quickly from the soggy ingredients.
“Allowance.”
“Bullshit, no way you saved enough money that fast,”
Mitch grew silent and didn’t bother to look at his older brother as he spoke again. “I borrowed some money.”
Marlon’s eyes grew wide at that before laughing. “Oh man, you’re in so much trouble. When Mom finds out-”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever, she’s not gonna because you’re gonna keep quiet.” Mitch knew he’d have to strike up a deal with Marlon later to keep his mouth closed but it would be worth it. If he kept acting cool, if he stayed with the guys and kept his distance then that would all lead up to the perfect moment to ask Brody out. Whenever Mitch could find the courage to do so.
Brody’s eyes stayed on Mitch as he kept trying to look cool even though he had spilled apple juice all over himself. He was trying to act way too much like something out of an old rom-com. With the messy hair and the leather jacket though he looked closer to a greaser from the fifties. Brody wasn’t a fan of the attitude he was exuding - it was too harsh and she was missing his softer side. Still, his dumbassery was clear as always and for some reason, she found that loveable. He looked super hot in that outfit too. As she watched him, Brody bit down on the side of her lip for a moment without even thinking about it.
“Everything okay?”
Ruby’s voice made Brody return her attention to her sister. “Hmm? Yeah, sorry,” Brody tucked some hair behind her ear then stole one last glance Mitch’s way. Ruby followed her sister’s gaze before a teasing smile appeared on her lips.
“Wanna tell me something?”
“What? No! I don’t like him!” Brody quickly tossed a chip in her mouth and stared down at the table. She knew her lying was clear to see. She had just spouted bullshit and Ruby could always tell. Her little sister was about to point out the fib when a new voice joined into the mix.
“Hey, Bro, hey Rubes, looks like I made it just in time,” Louis sat down with a grin then worked to open his bag of pretzels. “So, what are we up to this lunch? Is Brody pinning for Mitch again?”
Brody’s face turned a shade of pink and she tried to hide it. She covered her head with her hands and sighed. “Is it that obvious?”
“About as obvious as Mitch crushing on you,” Louis held a playful expression as he tossed a pretzel in his mouth.
“Yeah right, I doubt it,” Brody’s face remained covered.
“Come on, you’re like the ultimate girl next door, guys totally like girls like you,” Louis pointed out and Brody peeked out between her fingers at her brother then over at Ruby who was nodding in agreement.
“Lou is right,”
“Really?” Brody let her hands fall down into her lap. “Well, it doesn’t even matter. I can’t flirt.”
“Oh, well that’s easy. You just gotta show that you’re interested. Turn your head towards him for a second, give a little wave and a flirty smile and then look back right away. Bam, easy!” Louis leaned back in his chair with all the confidence in the world before the chair immediately fell over.
“Shit, Louis!” Brody abruptly got up along with Ruby to help their brother.
Marlon and Mitch watched the scene play out in silence before Marlon spoke up.
“Did Louis just wave and give a flirty smile at you?”
“I don’t know. Doesn’t matter, I like Brody,” Mitch nodded over at the fries on his brother’s lunch tray. “Toss a fry in my mouth so I can keep up this cool pose.”
Marlon opened his mouth, leaving it slightly ajar for a moment as if he wanted to say something. But after pausing for a beat he closed his lips and instead tossed a fry over. Mitch caught it and the brothers shared a little victory cheer before returning to business as usual.
“So let’s say I do do that move,” Brody sat back down in her seat. “What then?”
“Then you confess to him and it's smooth sailing from there!” Louis’ smile had returned as well as his optimism. Brody’s nerves felt different though and her chest tight.
“I don’t know about that.”
“Come on, Bro, it’s easy!”
Ruby laughed at that, earning a confused look from her brother. “You say that but you haven’t even gotten up the nerve to tell Clem how ya feel.”
Ruby’s words made Louis want to defend himself but he was too flustered at the idea of telling Clementine to argue. He was at a loss for words until a comeback appeared in his mind.
“Oh yeah? If you’re such a master of romance why don’t you put your money where your mouth is? Go over to Aasim and tell him how you feel.”
Brody’s eyes widened at her brother’s dare and she looked over at Ruby who didn’t seem fazed by it.
“Fine with me. In fact, I’ll throw in asking him out on a date.” Ruby stood up and enjoyed the shocked expressions on her siblings’ faces as she bustled over to another table. She was confident in herself and she knew what she wanted. She would put herself out there and see what happened. As Ruby made her way over she heard the bits and pieces of a conversation Aasim was having with his brothers.
“That is the stupidest way of getting a girl I had ever heard of,”
“Oh yeah!” Mitch glared at his brother, his lips turned down in a deep frown. “Well if you’re such a hotshot, then why don’t you-”
Ruby cleared her throat. Immediately the conversation stopped and Aasim straightened up, sticking out his chest while still trying to look casual.
“Ruby, what brings you over here?”
“I came over here to tell you something important,”
Aasim swallowed roughly. “And what would that be?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I like ya, like romantically, and was wondering if you want to go square dancing on Saturday.”
Aasim froze at that. His heart was doing somersaults all around his chest before pounding wildly against his ribcage. He couldn’t believe it. Ruby liked him and wanted to go on a date. He had to answer. He needed to have a good response but his mind was crapping out and instead he blurted out his answer.
“Yes! I like you too!”
Ruby’s rosy cheeks grew redder and she played with her hair. “Well, this is the best news a girl can hear. What time works for you?”
“Oh, umm, let me check my calendar,” Aasim fumbled around with his phone while his brothers watched in disbelief. Their mouths were hung open as their minds spun, struggling to process the series of events playing out before them. With this one move Ruby seemed to turn everything on its head. Everyone watched as Ruby wrote down her number on Aasim’s hand to add to the cute romantic vibes, and thoughts sprung up in all their minds.
Why not just go for it? Ruby had done it and things had panned out. Maybe she really was a master of romance after all.