Just Ask

(w/c: 297)

Just Ask.

         "Who are you going to ask to the Spring Dance?" Ned nudged his best friend Stuart.

         "The girls don't seem interested in going with me," Stuart sighed kicking a rock from the dirt path.

         "How about Alice? She's in your English class," suggested Ned.

         "Nay, she's going with her boyfriend Tom."

         "Jeannie in your science class, what about her?" Ned encouraged.

         "Jeannie wouldn't give me the time of day if I asked her. She looks at me as if I were a cockroach." Stuart shoved his hands deeper into his denim jacket.

         Ned continues thinking of girls to ask. "Hey! What about Mary? She greets you when you pass by in school."

         "Your sister, Mary?"

         "Yes, she treats you like a brother and a friend."

         "That's absolutely brilliant! She's not dating anyone. She's not stuck up," Stuart's face brightened at the thought.

         Approaching Ned's house, they saw Mary sitting on the porch swing reading a book.

         "I'll get us cold drinks," said Ned leaving Stuart on the porch.

         "Hello, Stuart, how was school today?" Mary greeted.

         Stuart rubbed the toe of his sneaker on the porch. "It was fine. I didn't see you in school today."

         "I didn't feel well this morning," replied Mary.

         "Um, I have a question for you," Stuart brushed his brown hair back. Mary waited.

         "Would you go to the Spring Dance with me?" He asked briskly as though Mary would disappear before hearing his question.

         "Yes, I'll go to the dance with you."

         Stuart gulped in air, not hearing her answer. "What?"

         I said yes, I'll go to the dance with you," replied Mary.

         Ned reappeared with cold drinks in his hands. "I can see from the looks on both your faces, the question was asked and answered."