So Stupid

It was only fifteen minutes remaining before the last period for the day ended. Astrol felt her phone buzz, and carefully hid it under the table as she tried to quickly read the message she'd received. She was shocked to find out that it was from Zane. ( 'Hey, can we meet up at the Spring cafe after school today?' ). Astrol was surprised. This was the first time they'd have to meet up for the first time without it being coincidental.

Xander had been staring at Astrol for some time now, the class was boring anyway. Since he was sitting close to her, he heard her phone beep. Seeing the amount of time she wasted just staring at her phone without replying or typing anything made him wonder what the message was about. 'Who could she be chatting with to look so serious', he thought. He saw her type something briefly after a while before she finally put her phone away. Astrol didn't know what or how to reply, so she just sent a simple 'Okay, I'll be there' before putting her phone away. After class was over, she texted Bora and Nari to tell them that she'll meet with Zane and go home afterwards.

Zane waited in the cafe for a few minutes before Astrol finally arrived. "Astrol, hi", he greeted with a wide smile. "Hey", Astrol replied back with a shy smile. "Let's have something to eat first", Zane said as he signaled to the waitress. The food arrived shortly and Zane began to speak, " I actually don't know how to say this. The thing is, a friend of mine is hosting this costume party and we're allowed to bring one person to accompany each of us, so...I thought...maybe...we could go together", Zane concluded with a shy expression.

Astrol sat there not knowing what to say. 'He wanted to take her? why her?', she couldn't help question inwardly as his words sank in. Zane had never approached her in public before, now he wanted to take her to a party?. She opened her mouth to say something but Zane beat her to it and what he said next left her mouth hanging open. "The truth is, I have a lot of friends I could ask to accompany me, but I decided to ask you because.... because I like you Astrol", Zane said with a light blush on his face. Astrol just kept on staring at him with wide eyes as he finished his statement. Seeing she wasn't going to say anything, Zane let out a sigh, "It's okay if you don't want to come I _". "No no it's fine, I'll go with you. I guess I kind of like you too", Astrol said stuttering while playing with her fingers. Somehow saying those words to him didn't feel right, but he was really nice to her and she didn't want to make him feel awkward. Besides, he was the only guy she felt this anxious about so that meant she liked him as well... right?

"Great! I'll see you there then, I'll text you the address". Zane's face lit up at her answer, and seeing him excited seemed worth the lie/truth...she'd figure it out later. She hadn't expected to see him that happy though. "Oh, I almost forgot. There's one more thing... it's a funny costume party, so we're meant to dress as wildly as possible, so...we're going to go as garbage bags", he stated embarrassed. Astrol was once again rendered speechless. 'Garbage bags, seriously?'. But he was a friend and if everyone was going to be dressed ridiculously then it wouldn't be that embarrassing. He was wearing it too anyway. She thought it over for a while and reluctantly agreed.

...

Astrol was busy staring at the costume Zane sent over that was on her bed. She already informed Nanny Yu that she would be stepping out later that evening to hang with friends. She was skeptical about it at first but eventually agreed. She didn't want Astrol to feel suffocated by her. After all, this was the first time Astrol had attended such a social gathering that people her age normally did. Minutes had passed by, and Astrol was still in the same standing position scrutinizing the costume. To be honest, she actually felt highly uncomfortable going to the party, not to talk of being dressed like that, but Zane had asked her and she wouldn't let him down.

...

"You're going, looking like that?", Nanny Yu questioned with wide eyes. "Yeah, it's actually the theme of the party", Astrol replied with an awkward smile. "Astrol honey, are you sure you wouldn't rather hang with Bora and Nari instead?, I mean how come Nari and Bora didn't get invited as well?", Nanny Yu said. Astrol hadn't asked her friends about the party, but she was sure that if they were invited, they would've at least mentioned it once. For a brief moment, Astrol considered her words but was interrupted by a buzz from Zane. "I'll figure that out later, but I promised him already. Don't worry l'll be fine" "Aah, if it's what you want then it's alright. Go have fun". "I will thanks", Astrol replied as she made her way out the door.

She soon arrived at the venue and quickly rushed inside. She saw Zane standing in the middle of the room with a satisfied smile plastered on his face as soon as he saw her. He walked closer towards her and stopped a few feet away from her. He smiled once more at her. This smile however, made Astrol uncomfortable. He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Gosh Astrol, you look...so stupid", he uttered with a wicked smile.