If Only I Had The Heart

John O'Callaghan wasn't exactly Rachel's favorite person in the world. She found him quite annoying and didn't exactly enjoy living next door to him. He was loud and wore a baseball cap turned sideways on his head. His friends and himself were always messing with each other in John's driveway. They made goofy faces and cursed too much. Rachel didn't have friends herself, which only sometimes bothered her, and she knew if she did, she would never act as stupid as the boy next door.

They'd only exchanged words once or twice and each time John's face was red and he stuttered too much. Other kids at school teased him when Rachel was in sight, leaving her to wonder why they were talking about her and not to her. She had only assumed John had said untrue things about her, gossiped fake things to his buddies and the thought of her confronting him was the reason he seemed nervous when he talked to her. She managed to avoid him, sending him glares when he looked at her or busing herself with something when he tried to talk to her. She'd only been stuck in a few situations that she was forced to speak to him and they weren't exactly pleasent.

So, when John O'Callaghan appeared on her doorstep, red-faced with a nervous smile, Rachel assumed this conversation to end un-pleasantly. Her eyebrows furrowed into a glare as she stared back at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Can I help you?" She hissed, her green eyes burning.

He seemed to cringe under her glare, gulping noticeably. He hesitated to speak and his words were a mix of sutters and mutters. She raised one of her eyebrows and he glanced quickly to his left. Her eyes followed his and she glared again at John's two friends that stood in his driveway, observing the scene in fits of laughter.

"What do you want, John?" She could feel the annoyance gathering in her system.

He hesitated again. "Can I borrow a cup of sugar?" He asked quickly, forcing an awkward smile on his face. His friends laughter grew louder and, with a raise of her eyebrows, Rachel closed the door in his face after muttering a response.

She turned in her house and walked towards her kitchen. She pulled an empty jelly jar down from the cabinent, wondering if John was just messing with her or if her really had wanted a cup of sugar. She had never been asked to loan out sugar, seeing as most people had their own sugar. She wondered breifly what her mother would have done in this situation. Rachel's parents, too, were not big fans of the O'Callaghan boy and Rachel worried they would be angry she had leant out their jar without asking.

Pulling from her thoughts, she twisted the lid back on before marching back to the door. She yanked it open, a glare already on her face. John was facing the right, his arms held out in a shrug as he stared back at his friends. He quickly turned to face her, the nervous smile returning. She shoved the jar out to him, ignoring the giggles from his friends. He took the jar quietly and she closed the door before he could get out a word. She sighed as she leaned against the door, a permanent scowl on her face.

She pushed off the door, walking back into her living room where she had sat prior to the events that had taken place. Her spot on her couch was cold now, but the television continued to play. She watched the scene on the screen for a few moments before groaning at a new knock coming from outside the door. She stood, reluctantly walking to the door once again. She pulled it open, sighing as John stood before her.

"What now?" She groaned.

He cleared his throat, doing his best to look confident. "I actually," He paused, hesitating. "I wanted to," He stuttered. "I was wondering if you would go to prom with me." He smiled sheepishly, his face redder than before.

Her eyebrows raised in shock, her head jerking back slightly. She stared at him in surprise for a few moments. "What?"

He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Yeah," He gulped. "I was hoping you would."

She continued to stare at him and she could feel small amounts of heat raise to her face. She rubbed her wrists. "I," She paused. "I don't what to say." And, she didnt. Of course, just like every other teenage girl on earth, she wanted to go to her senior prom, but she honestly never thought she would get asked. Most people perceived her as a girl with a stick up her ass and, despite her looks, didn't seem to take an interest in her.

"You could say you'd go with me." He grinned.

She leaned forward, eyes narrowed, and pointed an accusing finger at him. "If you're fucking around with me, John," She hissed. "I'll ruin you." She used her mothers usual threat.

He shook his head quickly. "No, I'm being serious. I really want you to be my date." His face flushed again.

She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Well," She sucked on her lip for a second. "I guess I'll see you later, then." She mumbled.

He raised his hand, grinning once again. "See ya'." He hopped down her steps, a skip in his step.

"Hey, John!" She yelled, eyebrows furrowed. She spoke when he turned to look at her. "I want my jelly jar back." She sighed when he nodded, giving her a thumbs up. She stepped back through the doorway, closing the door behind her. She leaned against it again, but, this time, with a small smile on her face.