*This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.*
I’d never liked cherry lollipops. Maybe it was the sharp distinct cherry taste, or perhaps it was the fact they were red, as I’d never been quite fond of the color. All I’m saying is there are better flavors than cherry when it comes to lollipops.
“Lollipop, Ella?” Caleb McIntyre twisted around in the desk in front of me, gazing at me with his baby blues. I glanced at the basket of lollipops. Not a single one bore any color other than red. Darn cherry lollipops.
“No thanks,” I said softly, taking the basket anyway and continuing its path, giving it to Bethany Simmons, a particularly quiet girl who was also in my chemistry class sixth period. Caleb eyed me for a moment before deciding that he didn’t want to ask me anything else.
Ms. Fitz carried on with her lecture on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and thought it clever to compare the sweet nectar that was poured into their eyes to the lollipops in our hands. Most everyone laughed, including me. But I was just laughing, thinking that I was the only one who hadn’t picked up a lollipop.
The bell rang eventually and I shoved all my things into my book bag. Finally, we could leave. I could go finish my homework, sit at the kitchen table and snack on last night’s leftover Shepherd’s Pie, and then indulge in another episode of Full House before Mom returned to eat the remaining leftovers. And then we’d go to bed and start our day all over again.
I hadn’t made it fifty feet when the last person I wanted to chat with somehow found me in the chaos of the hallway.
“So you don’t like cherry red lollipops?” Caleb inquired. I turned to him as I stopped in front of locker number 333, busying myself with my lock. Obviously not, I thought to myself, but curbed my sarcasm. This kid barely knew me and the last thing I wanted was to give off the wrong impression.
“Not really, sorry,” I muttered, unlocking my locker. Caleb swung it open for me, giving me a shy smile. My cheeks turned red as I searched my bag, taking some books out, putting them inside, and grabbing others to take for homework. “Um, is there something I can help you with?”
“Actually, maybe,” Caleb began, leaning up against the locker. A gathering of girls from our grade passed by, whispering and sending admirable glances Caleb’s way. I knew they left when their giggles became less and less audible. “Do you know anything about lanterns?”
“Lanterns? You mean like camping lanterns or…?”
“I mean like Lanterns, from Lantern Festival,” Caleb confirmed. I closed my locker and replaced the padlock. Our world history teacher, Mr. Otto, had been talking about it all week. Lantern Festival had passed, and as usual, Mr. Otto’s less than enthusiastic PowerPoint hadn’t really intrigued me all that much, other than the photos of the beautiful hand decorated lanterns up in the air.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know much about them,” I finally told Caleb. I was about to leave when he walked in step with me. He wasn’t finished. I barely know you, I thought. What could you want with me if it’s not to ask for help on homework?
“Do you want to learn more?” Caleb sputtered out. I squinted at him. Is he seriously asking to help me with homework? Caleb shook his head, letting out a strained nervous laugh. “My younger sister is adopted from Taiwan, and my parents always celebrate it. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me, to celebrate.”
“Oh,” I breathed out, suddenly feeling my stomach do flips. This was not homework help. This was a date. “Okay. When is it?”
“Friday.” Caleb grinned, holding his English notebook tighter to his chest. “And I promise there are no cherry lollipops there.”
“Cool,” I said mindlessly, still stuck trying to process what was happening. Caleb McIntyre asked me out. We’re going to celebrate Lantern Festival. Why hadn’t Mr. Otto’s presentation been more informative? I had no idea what to bring or what to do!
“See you then,” Caleb said to me, waving as he headed down the hall, leaving me with one last brilliant smile before I was left alone in the hall. The same pack of girls that giggled past us earlier made their return trip, sending me a nasty glare this time.
“I can’t believe he asked her out,” one of them whispered, while the others rolled their eyes and avoided my gaze.
However, I was unfazed. Caleb had asked me out. And shockingly enough, world history was suddenly far more fascinating to me than ever before.
