HIS UNMATCHED AFFECTION

Chapter 10

Clara's POV

We arrive at the school parking lot. It's been a joyous ride. He kept making lively conversations all the way here. And he keeps getting better at this dating thing every time I see him. Boy is doing his homework.

"We're here Madame" He says in French getting the door for me.

You can't hate his romantic side.

"Thank you monsieur", I say smiling.

“I didn't know you speak French too?" He asks tagging my arm into his.

It feels like we are walking down the aisle only flower girls and someone to marry us are missing. We are already dressed as bride and groom. Am in my favorite white dress with a crown maybe we would need a veil and also...Change the groom to his brother Jake. Eric can make a good best man. My heart beats for Jake although lately I have been wishing I could have them both.

"You never asked amour" I say smiling.

"Okay I get it, I have a lot to learn about you" He says with finality.

We walk to the photo booth. It's the red carpet of the dance and the great pictures of the day make it to the school magazine. It's always been my dream to be on it. And one sure way to make the cover is to take a picture with Jake. It doesn't matter if you're a skank or a princess. That's why am dying to meet his date. I didn't want to be nosy asking Erick. He could have felt bad I know how men value their ego.

The room is filled with students and teachers. They are matched up talking in low tones. Soft music from the podium with the multiple colored disco lights bring the perfect euphoric feeling. The front of the hall is decorated with seaside academy flag, blue and yellow with an eagle in the middle. Eric asks me to standby as he goes to fetch our drinks at the bar. I look around for Jake. I can’t see him anywhere. I also don't want to text him. Eric comes back with two glasses of champagne.

"Champagne for the fine lady", He says smiling.

"I thought only wine is fine?" I asks taking the glass from him.

"Not anymore you're now my wine" He says raising his glass.

We do the cheers before the principal asks everyone to gather around. He uses the old school way, a spoon on a glass. A small crowd forms. The room is smelling of nothing but expensive perfume with expensive fabric.

"Everyone, welcome to the 60th Annual Seaside Academy founders Dance. It is sixty years ago when three people pulled their resources together to make it possible for us to be standing here right now"

The crowd applauds.

Stacy's POV

I can't see Eric anywhere in the crowd. He still has a few days left on the cold shoulder treatment but am dying to see his date. Am still mad he skipped the vetting process. I will have to do a background check on her the same way he does for me.

"I want all of you to enjoy this dance knowing that it's our combined effort that have given this place its glitter sixty years later. We have both worked hard to ensure that their dream stays alive. Thank you" The principal says waving to the crowd.

There's another applause. As soon as he gets off the podium the deejay is kind enough to set the mood into romantic. Ed sheerans perfect lights up the speakers. Jake takes a big last gulp of his drink. He hands over our two glasses to the waiter, takes my arm and drags me to the dance floor. All the other couples do the same. The disco lights stop and bright white light fills the room. He turns me around pulls me closer. I can feel his heart pounding in his chest and so is mine. We slow dance. Boy's been busy researching about me. It gives me more reason to stay mad at Eric. He is always the one complaining that Jake doesn't work hard for anything yet he is the same person that gave him tips to handle me. Amway I think the guy code is stronger than the friendship we have.

Jake skillfully holds my waist and forces me to lean back. My right leg raised. I can see Eric doing the same with some girl although I can't see her clearly but I can tell she is gorgeous. Not bad Eric. She is worth a secret. He pulls me back up, raises my right hip to his and slides my left leg. The browns practiced this dance another secret. Many secrets now. Everyone else has left the floor for the four of us. They are cheering on as Eric’s date and I keep being turned and tossed. But we're enjoying it. The deejay changes the tune to Spanish. The rhythm changes and even the spectators join the dance. Lucky for me this one is a free dance. I leave Jake to it while I go grab a drink at the bar.

There are few people at the bar. Most of the stools are empty. I grab one that allows me to enjoy my drink as I enjoy the dance. Eric and Jake are having fun. Matching in black suits. I have lost track of his date. She must be somewhere. I'd love to meet her and have a chat.

"Hey"

Speak of the devil.

"Hello you're? Wait I think I know this one, Eric’s date" I say stretching my arm.

"Clara, am Clara Meyers", she says taking the nearby stool after shaking my arm lazily.

I love her white dress and the crown. She reminds me of my mum in one of her old school pictures.

"And am Stacy Jake's date", I say proudly.

It feels overwhelming just to introduce myself as Jake's date I wonder how it'd feel to introduce myself as his girlfriend.

"Yeah I saw you two killing it. So you’re not his girlfriend?" she asks.

I wish I was. I can imagine the look on her face.

"No. We are just friends besides am a few weeks from a break up I still hate boys", I say smiling.

"Am sorry boys can be a handful sometimes" She says taking a sip of her champagne.

We've just met but I can sense some negative energy from her. She is okay physically but I'll have to do some digging. It's hard for me to trust people especially those who want to hang out with my best friend.

"So you and Eric..."

"We're still friends. Jake actually introduced us", she interrupts.

I can see what he is doing. He wants Eric out of his way. So this is all him? We also have something to talk about.

"Ooh. He is my friend too a great guy if you get to understand him" I say.

"Yeah indeed”, she says smiling.

This is getting weird, are we twins or something?

Eric’s POV

I can see Stacy and Clara talking at the bar. They look happy. I just hope she won't push Clara away because of my f**k up. And also if she does push her away then my theory will be true. I've heard of girls who get jealous when their long time single male friends start dating. Most of them end up confessing that a part of them loves their male friends. It can't be any different with Stacy. I need to know early before Jake makes his move. During the dance I saw he was genuine. Maybe he just loves her as much as I do. Then Stacy will have to make a hard choice.

Poor Clara. As soon as I find out if she has feelings for me I'll tell her the truth. I can't imagine my first real relationship will be over soon.

"Should we crush their little introduction party before we go home?" Jake asks dancing towards me.

"We should before they start taking about us", I say leafing the way.

When they see us walking in their direction they both turn to look at us. Jake and I together isn't a good look. He is taller and more masculine than I am. It's so hard to outshine him.

"There you're we've just been talking about you two" Stacy says.

"Exactly", Clara seconds.

Jake sits on the middle. I know Stacy wouldn't want me to sit next to her. Am still not off the hook. It will take some time. She can't even make eye contact with me.

"I hope all nice things about us" Jake says happily.

"Me too" I say holding Clara's arms.

I don't know if she's shy but she looks like she doesn't want to be touched. It's weird. It can't be me who has done something wrong maybe Stacy told her something she wasn't supposed to know which also doesn't add up because I don't have lethal secrets.

"Both" Clara says smiling.

"Am so glad you two have met" Jake says.

"And we're so glad that you two are brothers" Stacy says.

They both burst into laughter. Jake and I are confused.

"Anyway see you at home bro, goodnight Clara", Jake says getting up with Stacy.

"Goodnight" she replies.

It's been one hell of a day.