An old classmate

Melissa was popular in school. Many guys in her class showed interest in her and had confessed their feelings, but she was a person who wasn't interested. She had never developed feelings for anyone and always thought that she wasn't cut out for love, relationships and dating and so she always turned them down.

One morning before the class began, Melissa sat at her seat waiting for Jessica to arrive.

A tall guy with tanned skin confidently approached her. His thick brows and well-trimmed hair framed his face, while his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he called out, "Melissa!" A broad smile graced his face.

It was Derek, her classmate from junior year. His face lit up as if he had seen an angel and the excitement could be felt in every word he uttered.

Derek had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Melissa for the past few months and he finally gathered enough courage to walk up to her and say something.

"Do you remember me? It's me, Derek! We used to be classmates back in junior year," he said, attempting to mask his nervousness with a smile.

Melissa sank into a deep thought struggling to recall the name.

'Derek who?

Was he in my class?? She asked herself Hmm…it would be awkward if I admit I have no clue who he is. I'll just pretend to know him.' 

"De-Derek! Good morning! What a coincidence!" she laughed nervously, trying to cover her uncertainty.

He knew from the tone of her voice that she didn't recognize him. 

'Shit- I messed up!I shouldn't have spoken to her! I thought she at least knew I existed.' He cried internally.

He felt his heart shatter at the thought of her not recognizing him—why not? After all, he had the biggest crush on her. Despite the overwhelming embarassment that surged through him he still tried to keep his calm.

He wanted to say a lot more things that he had practiced and prepared in his room but it all went to waste since he could not think straight anymore after the fact that she never knew him back then.

"Well then see ya around." This was the only thing that came out of his mouth and he strode off feeling defeated.

(The next day)

As soon as the bell rang for the class to get over, Derek thought of giving another shot at talking to Melissa. He cleared his throat and fixed his hair and tried to motivate himself.

'It's fine. You can still make it happen'. He said to himself.

He could feel his heart pounding heavily with every step taken towards her seat and stopped just two paces away.

She was in the middle of packing her stuff and chatting with Jessica. His stomach tightened as he gazed at her. Even from the side she looked incredibly beautiful. Her hair was silky and had gentle curles at the ends and as the sunlight streamed through the window on her hair it emitted a golden hue. She she seemed to be glowing with radiance.

He balled his hands into a tight first and finally managed to utter a few words.

"Hey, you got any plans this weekend?" He asked

"Umm… not really, why?" She looked at him, surprised.

Isn't this the same guy from yesterday? She asked herself 

"I- I'd like to uhh…. I mean do you wanna hang out with me? This weekend?" Trying his best to appear calm and casual.

She tilted her head thinking if she should agree to it. 

"It's nothing… just to get to know each other better after all, we were classmates," Derek added, to secure an extra point to make her agree to it. 

Whether it was guilt-tripping her because she couldn't recognize him the previous day even after having been classmates for many years–she agreed.

"Sure would love to! Where should we go and what do we do?" She said with a soft smile.

"I'll text you the time and place." He said. "That being said, can I have your cell phone number?" He added and handed over his phone to her with the dial pad on making the most adorable face one could make.

Melissa chuckled and nodded as she typed her number into his phone. 

"See ya then!", she smiled and waved at him.

She picked up her bag and walked away, still smiling at the thought of what he said.

His eyes followed her to the door and as soon as she walked out, he let out an exuberant scream, he leaped up and punched the air.

"Fuck yeah!"

At that moment his joy and excitement knew no bounds. His hands were shaking because of how surreal that moment was. It was as though he hit a jackpot or perhaps even more.

He rushed back to his dorm room where his roommate and also his closest friend Jasper, was fast asleep. He jumped onto his bed and flipped out the sheets and shook him. 

"Dudeee wake up! Big news!!"

Jasper kicked him and showed him his middle finger and sunk his head to his pillow. 

"Fuck off dude, I'm trynna sleep here." He said with his head sunk into the pillow.

"She agreed to go out this weekend! Woo hoo!!!" Derek exclaimed in excitement.

Jasper turned his head to him and gave him a thumbs up and said,"Good for you bro make this work. Good luck" and he went back to sleep.

"Aww come on man show some enthusiasm, aren't you happy for me?"

From the day they became roommates, Derek wouldn't shut up about Melissa. He kept on praising her beauty and her intelligence and how she had the most perfect hair and the sweetest voice. Everyday he would come back from class and tell him about how she looked that day and the things she did and how he felt everytime he looked at her.He had the biggest crush on her since their junior year but could never gather enough courage to even say hi. 

"I am happy dude, I just don't have enough energy like you do to jump up and down every time I get excited." Jasper responded.

"Touch some grass dude, stop playing games so much." Derek said feeling concerned about his friend's health and well-being.

This event was a big deal to Derek as this was a chance to get close to Melissa and to become her friend and be a step closer towards telling her about how he felt about her and so he needed his friend's assistance and advice or maybe just a bit of moral support.

"What should I wear? What do you think is the best outfit for good first impressions?" Derek asked, rummaging through his wardrobe.

"I have no idea. Never been on a date, never liked a girl." Jasper replied while still lying on the bed.

"Geez you're of no help. At least tell me which outfit looks good."

Jasper was someone who didn't talk much. The only person he spoke to was his roommate Derek. He occasionally uttered a few words when people asked him questions to which he felt obligated to respond to. He lacked a social life and was always engrossed in gaming and watching Anime and kept to himself in his room most of the time preferring solitude over people's company and avoided going out.

Derek on the other hand was a jolly person, outgoing and outspoken. He was basically the polar opposite of Jasper but they somehow clicked well. Their differences were the reason why they were good friends. Maybe this is why they say opposites attract.

"You should wear whatever you feel the most comfortable in." Jasper opined.

"Fuck I forgot to text her the time and place!". Derek yelled.

"Wait what!? You already got her number? Dammnn!"Jasper exclaimed 

He was surprised but was also proud of his friend for getting her cellphone number on his second try. 

"You never fail to impress me. I'm proud of you". He said proudly.

Derek rubbed his nose, " Yeah I know man, I got the rizz." He smirked at Jasper. " If you ever wanna know how to pull a pretty lady, I'm available for lessons."

"That day will never come." Jasper responded.

<Ting! > Melissa received a message on her phone. It was from Derek.

<Hey it's me Derek. Would you like to pick up or will be okay with coming the place yourself?>

 <Hi! Text me the time and address I'll be there>

<Alright then>

< *Sends location* time : 11:00 am this Saturday>

< See you soon!>

 < Alrighty 😊>

Derek couldn't believe he was actually texting with the girl of his dreams. He couldn't tear his gaze away from his phone screen, rereading the conversation they had just had in awe

"Even if you keep staring at it like that she won't pop out from there you know." Jasper said seeing his friend stare at the screen.

"Yeah I know but I wish she did." Derek laughed.

"Boy don't fall so hard for a girl, you will end up hurting yourself." Jasper added.

He knew how much Derek liked Melissa and he also knew that no matter what he said he'd feel the same. He was afraid that he'd end up having his heart broken by this girl. He was just looking out for his best buddy.

"I am willing to take the risk. You know, looking at the bright side, she might feel the same someday"

'I hope…' he finished the sentence in his mind.

Derek knew that she had no romantic feelings for him, but he was determined to change that. He wanted to make her aware of his feelings and show how he felt about her. Derek was prepared to give his best effort and do everything in his power. The upcoming weekend would be a significant step toward his ultimate goal: winning her over.