A crush

Andi

“Walk up and say hi to him,” Marta said.

I stood at my locker, staring at my crush, Cody.

“What if I fall on my face?” I asked.

Since freshman year, I have liked Cody Davis, and he doesn’t even know I exist. My friends suggested I talk to him or, better yet, fake date Brandon Miller, one of my friends. Yeah, that won’t happen.

Brandon suggested fake dating this past summer. I thought the idea was ridiculous. Who the hell fake dates someone? It’s not me.

Plus, Cody doesn’t even know I exist. Trust me. I tried to get his attention. I can’t speak when I’m near him and look like a total dipwad.

“Is she still figuring out how to get that dink’s attention?” Casey asked.

Brandon walked up.

“Cody is not a dink. He’s my dream guy.” I sighed as I leaned against my locker.

“Is this before or after aliens arrive on our planet?” Casey asked.

Brandon snickered as I narrowed my eyes at Casey.

“My offer still stands,” Brandon said.

I ignored his comment.

“I’ll figure it out.” I closed my locker door and went to class.

“When will you make a move?” Casey asked Brandon.

“He’s right. If you don’t make a move soon, you’ll blow it with Andi,” Marta said.

“It’s easier said than done. It’s not like Andi is the most astute person,” he said.

“Because she’s freaking oblivious,” Coop said.

In case you’re wondering, Cooper is my younger brother. Brandon is Brila and Caleb’s son, Marta is Mariana and Kevin’s daughter, and Casey is Gavin and Ty’s son. Now that we got that straight let’s continue.

“Brandon, my sister is like our mother, oblivious to the point. If you showed her Santa, she wouldn’t even notice.”

“That’s reassuring,” Brandon said.

“I still think you should fake date, and she’ll fall in love with you. We’ll get out of this godforsaken love drama you have going,” Casey said.

“I got an idea,” Marta said.

They all looked at her. Yep, my friends were about to conspire against me. I’m not sure whether it should scare me or not.

At lunch, I sat there, admiring Cody. He was the guy every girl wanted to date, who was funny, intelligent, and cute. I doubt he even knows I exist. I needed to grab his attention. As I sat there pondering my ideas, it hit me. I can do this.

At the end of the school day, I waited until he was alone. As I walked up to him, I tapped his shoulder. He lifted his head and looked at me. Swoon.

“Did you need something?”

I snapped out of my lust-induced fantasy. “Oh, right. I was wondering if you would like to hang out?” I tried to play it cool.

He looked at me as a smile curled upon his lips. This was finally it. He was going to say yes. I can’t believe that Cody would be mine.

“Hey, Marta,” Cody said.

She walked up to me. “Hey, Cody.” She gave him a strange glance.

“Andi approached me to ask if we wanted to hang out.”

Wait. What? That’s not what I had asked.

“Well, duh. Andi and I always hang out.” She rolled her eyes.

“Great, then I guess we’re all hanging out together.” He smiled as he closed his locker.

I stood there as he talked to Marta like they had always been friends. Then I realized something. He agreed because she’d be there. Here is a plane crashing and exploding as it hits the ground. I’m the plane.

“You know what? I had remembered that I have to help my papa,” I said.

Marta wrinkled her nose. Cody didn’t notice me at all except for Marta. I turned and hurried out of there. Great. My crush doesn’t realize I have a crush on him, but he has a crush on Marta. Fantastic.

I give up.