Val laughs, and wonders if it sounds a bit too manic. She hates being nervous, but Cedar just says things and does things. It's not their fault, obviously, but it's clearly going to scare poor Lionel. She busies herself with straightening out Cedar's clothing post-picnic-and-boating.
"If he wanted to smooch, he wouldn't to it here in front of everyone," she tells Cedar, only briefly glancing at Lionel. "Some boys are shy like that."
Not only has Cedar not left, but now they and Val are discussing smooching. And whether or not that's what Lionel is here to do. And to think, this was supposed to be the easy part of the whole thing.
"No no no no," Lionel rattles off, trying to get the train back on its tracks. A small laugh and a shake of his head. "No. No no."
Somehow with just one sentence, Cedar has set fire to the planned remarks buried in the pocket of Lionel's pants. And to the memory of those practiced words stored in his head. "I just wanted to ask Val about her plans for Homecoming and if she's going and if she had a date. Or wanted one. Not everyone does. And if she did want one, what type of date she wanted, and..."
He looks at Cedar, though now it's unclear if his big eyes are saying Save me, or Please leave.
Val stares, frozen in a smile that she has to struggle to control. Is he asking her out? He's no Harrison, but maybe Harrison should have moved faster! Or maybe Lionel's asking for a friend? So she can't get too excited. Keep the smile steady. Be coy. Be cute.
"Why are you asking?" she says sweetly. Cedar may be a ticking time bomb to Lionel, but Val remains unconcerned.
"I'm wondering if you wanted to go to Homecoming together," he finally says plainly, and once the words are out, a wave of relief washes over him. Not unlike someone who's finally coughed up the piece of food that's been choking and threatening to kill them.
"And it's okay if you don't," he adds before anyone else can speak. It's meant to be thoughtful, not self-deprecating.
"He wants to smooch at the dance," Cedar "whispers" again, then shoots Lionel a wink. They got your back, buddy. "But don't you already have like five boys asking you??" They've got your back too, Val. Don't worry, they're a great wingman.
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peckenpaugh2019-10-16 12:07 pm
Lionel & Val & Cedar
"If he wanted to smooch, he wouldn't to it here in front of everyone," she tells Cedar, only briefly glancing at Lionel. "Some boys are shy like that."
Lionel & Val & Cedar
"No no no no," Lionel rattles off, trying to get the train back on its tracks. A small laugh and a shake of his head. "No. No no."
Somehow with just one sentence, Cedar has set fire to the planned remarks buried in the pocket of Lionel's pants. And to the memory of those practiced words stored in his head. "I just wanted to ask Val about her plans for Homecoming and if she's going and if she had a date. Or wanted one. Not everyone does. And if she did want one, what type of date she wanted, and..."
He looks at Cedar, though now it's unclear if his big eyes are saying Save me, or Please leave.
Lionel & Val & Cedar
"Why are you asking?" she says sweetly. Cedar may be a ticking time bomb to Lionel, but Val remains unconcerned.
Lionel & Val & Cedar
"And it's okay if you don't," he adds before anyone else can speak. It's meant to be thoughtful, not self-deprecating.
Lionel & Val & Cedar
Lionel & Val & Cedar