Stepping Out: Part 3 of 3

strangerarray (63)in #story • 8 years ago (edited)

His head hit the desk with a loud thud!

Joel realized he had fallen asleep in class again.

He sat up.

The rest of that school day passed with little more than Joel being assigned to read 100 pages of a novel in English class, a couple of Science worksheets, and a Chapter 11 U.S. History review.

This was shaping up to be some weekend, Joel rued.

On top of the school work, Joel was looking forward to a Saturday baseball game at six o’clock and would probably catch a movie with his family over the weekend.

Also, Joel remembered he had to call Victoria.

The four o’clock bell rang signalling the end of the school day.

Joel carelessly shoved the papers from on top of his desk into his backpack and headed out of the classroom door where he caught up to his friend Randy.

“One hundred pages!” Randy exclaimed. “Like I’m going to sit inside all weekend! I’ve got things to do you know,” he added.

“That’s really not that much,” interjected Trevor as the trotted to catch up with Joel and Randy in the hall. “Plus you’ll probably be sitting inside playing video games all weekend anyways,” he predicted.

“Yeah, but that’s different,” protested Randy.

“Not really,” Joel weighed in. “I just don’t see why we have to do that History review. The test isn't going to be until next Tuesday.”

“It’s always good to be prepared,” Trevor dutifully reiterated parroting their teachers. “Hey could you guys wait up while I grab my trumpet from the Band Hall?”

“Yeah we’ll be outside,” Joel called over his shoulder as he and Randy crossed the threshold of the school doors.

“You and Trevor should come over and stay the night,” Randy suggested as they waited on the school’s front steps.

“That’d be cool I guess,” Joel said. “I would have to ask my mom first.”

Trevor rejoined the two boys and they enjoyed the sunshine as they walked home happy it was Friday afternoon.

“You have to call her,” both Trevor and Randy pressured Joel.

Joel sat on a couch in Randy’s room holding his cell phone.

“Maybe I should text her,” Joel delayed.

“Lame,” both Trevor and Randy protested.

“Call her already,” Randy egged on Joel.

Joel clicked open his list of contacts.

Even though he never really talked to Victoria before, he had her number because they were in a group project together last school year.

Joel found her name.

Victoria.

His thoughts drifted as he rehearsed what he was going to say.

Randy reached over and hit the “Call” button.

“Hey!” Joel reacted and punched Randy on the shoulder.

The phone began to ring.

“Uh...hello,” came the voice of the young girl.

“Uh hey, ummm… this is Joel, from your Science class,” Joel awkwardly began. “And… well… the reason I called is that, well… the dance, do you, will you go to the dance next week with me?”

Victoria wasn’t surprised.

She had been tipped off from her friends that the nerdy guy from Science class was going to ask her out.

“Victoria?” Joel asked in the silence.

Victoria was conflicted.

She wanted to go to the dance but didn't have a date yet. Also she didn't want to say no and hurt this guy's feelings, but she didn't really know him.

“Uh…,” she hesitated.

“Well the thing is… I don't know how to say this really. I… well we don't really know each other and the thing is… thank you for asking, but I don't want to go to the dance with you.”

Joel politely replied, “Thanks,” and hung up the phone embarrassed.

He sat there stunned.

Trevor and Randy looked just as shocked.

“Well wanna get some ice cream?” Trevor helpfully suggested.

This ends this story, but more great work will be coming soon.

Also this story will be available as a Steemit Exclusive - Audio Book Style Presentation so check back because you deserve it!

Written by Michael Paine

In the meantime please follow me, @stragerarray to keep up to date with my other fiction, non-fiction, and other post, because today is the day.

In case you missed it...

Stepping Out: Part 1
Stepping Out: Part 1 -- AUDIO EDITION
Stepping Out: Part 2
Stepping Out: Part 2 -- AUDIO EDITION

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