Free Virtually in Love by A. Destiny

napkin poking out from beneath the sofa.
    â€œOkay.” He looked at Vanessa. “I volunteered to make the posters for the sci-fi club’s next movie night before I remembered I can’t even draw a stick figure.” He grinned. “So will you help me with them?”
    â€œSure, I’d love to,” Vanessa said immediately.
    â€œWhat about me?” I asked. “I can’t draw either, so I’ll be no help with the posters.”
    â€œNo, I have another idea for you.” He took a step toward me, sort of grinning and puffing out his cheeks at the same time.
    I tilted my head. “What? You look weird.”
    He cleared his throat. “Um . . .”
    My eyes narrowed as I tried to read his expression. “What are you going to ask me to do?” I said cautiously. “Nothing illegal or immoral or involving big hairy spiders, right?”
    â€œNo, nothing like that.” He cleared his throat again, his gaze bouncing from me to Vanessa to the floor to the ceiling. “I just thought, well, if you think it’s okay, uh—”
    â€œSpit it out already,” I said. “What is it?”
    He met my eyes again. “I want you to go to the school dance with me,” he blurted out in a rush. “As, um, my date.”

ChapterSix
    F or a second I couldn’t respond, though I felt my face go red as that little fantasy from earlier popped into my head. Had Kaz sensed I was thinking about kissing him? Was he messing with me?
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?” I sounded a little panicky, so I cleared my throat and tried again. “I mean, um, what do you mean? We always go to the dances together.”
    â€œRight. But this time I want us to go together together.” He shuffled his feet, still watching me. Then he shifted his gaze to Vanessa. “You don’t mind, right?” he added, suddenly sounding worried. “I mean, I know Chloe promised to find you some big romantic date or whatever, but if you were counting on us to—”
    â€œNo, it’s totally fine,” Vanessa cut him off, shooting me an uncertain look. “I can tag along with someone from band. I mean, if Chloe, um . . .” She let her voice trail off and then shrugged helplessly, clearly not sure what I would want her to say.
    I took a deep breath, not sure what to say either. Had I started all this with that spur-of-the-moment kiss the other day? Did Kaz think I wanted him to ask me?
    The weirdest thing was, the fantasy-generating part of my mind was off and running again. Wondering what it would be like. Me and Kaz on a romantic date . . .
    That word snapped me out of it: romantic . Because it reminded me of “True Romance,” which of course reminded me I already had my dream guy.
    Still, I didn’t want to hurt Kaz’s feelings . . . . “Okay, I’m going to need some time to process this,” I told Kaz. “Trust me when I say this was not what I was expecting you to ask for as a birthday gift.”
    â€œThat’s fine,” he said quickly. “I can wait for your answer. No hurry.” He grinned. “Well, actually you have a two-week deadline. There’s not much point in either answer after the dance is over.”
    I smiled weakly. “Okay, then. Um . . .”
    The faint sound of a car horn drifted through the house from out front. Saved by the bell.
    â€œThat’s my mom.” Van checked her watch. “Right on time, as always.”
    â€œGo ahead. We’re almost done here anyway.” Kaz looked around the room. It wasn’t quite back to its usual sterile condition, but it didn’t look like a tornado had just rolled through, either. “See you guys at the meeting tomorrow?”
    â€œSee you then,” I replied, heading for the door without quite meeting his eyes.
    â€œYeah. Happy birthday, Kaz,” Vanessa added.
    As soon as we