57 Securing a date

Zara suddenly recalled something and tried to distract her best friend, "Oh my gosh, V. We haven't spoken about prom night in like forever."

Veronica's eyes lit up like the gold coast. She squealed and jumped up in the air, "Woah, Z. How could we? There is so much to do. You don't even have a dress."

Zara stifled a giggle, relieved that she had been able to divert her best friend's attention. She patted Veronica's shoulder, "It's okay. Relax. We are deviating from the main point. We should focus on you first."

Veronica gave her a quizzical look and Zara supplied, "What is the most important thing to have on a prom night, girl?"

Veronica thought about it for a minute, her face screwed in concentration, "An awesome dress?"

Zara gently slapped her forehead, "No idiot, you need a date."

Veronica's lips formed a big O as realisation dawned upon her, "I am so stupid, Z. I totally forgot about a date." She was bobbing up and down on her heels, "Yes, yes. I need a date, I need to trap a handsome guy."

Jake chuckled, "Nobody needs to be trapped V. Let's get back to securing a date for you. How about Harry, you know… the tall guy with glasses?"

Veronica recalled the tall and lanky persona of Harry, a boy who always appeared frazzled. She considered him for a moment, "Nah, too tall for me." 

"Sam? Short and sweet, he sits behind you in chemistry," Jake supplied.

"No, let me think, hmm…he looks decent. You have my permission to find out if he has a date. Also, find other potential candidates for my review. Report to me latest by tomorrow," Veronica dismissed him as if she was Jake's boss, and he slapped her hand good-naturedly. They were giggling and laughing when Jake saw a boy lurking in the stairs that led to the basement.

He got up and said, "Sorry, ladies. I have to help Grandpa, or he would throw me out. See ya."

He hurried down the stairs and saw the boy waiting for him. The boy was smoking a cigarette and pacing the stairs, tension visible on his face. He was almost of the same age as Jake and had a harrowed look in his eyes.

"What are you doing here? I had asked you to stay away from me," barked Jake.

The boy revealed his teeth to show a menacing smile and said, "Desperate times call for desperate measures, and He is growing desperate. If you are going to waste your time on petty things such as prom dates, I fear you will lose the assignment."

Jake was losing his temper, "I am working on it. I don't need reminders, not from you, to say the least," added Jake. The boy advanced towards Jake, who didn't step back. "Watch your tongue, or you will regret agreeing to this job."

Jake struggled to keep his temper under control, "Tell him, I would deliver on my promise. But he should not send his dogs to me. They distract and bore me. Off you go," he pointed at the exit door. "Now." The boy was livid but only looked at Jake with contempt. He put off the cigarette with his shoes and stomped off.

Jake sank down to the floor.

What had he done? Why had he agreed to the mission? Why did he keep living on false hopes? Hadn't he learned a lesson last time?

A number of questions whirled through his mind. He was broken out of his reverie by a text from Veronica. 

Zara won't take the first step, so I beg you. Please ask her out for prom. 

His heart ached at the thought of Zara. He had been so close last time but had failed; he didn't want to fail this time. 

He texted Veronica On it mam and got up.

He couldn't let past failures cloud his vision. He had a serious task ahead of him, one that he couldn't afford to fail at.