One day, as they were walking down the hallway, Emily approached JoeGad and asked him to the upcoming spring formal. JoeGad was taken aback, and didn't know how to respond. Alyssa, sensing his discomfort, jumped in and said that JoeGad was already going to the formal with her.
Emily looked disappointed, but JoeGad was relieved. He didn't want to hurt Emily's feelings, but he also didn't want to go to the formal with her. He was grateful to Alyssa for saving him from an awkward situation.
As they walked away from Emily, Alyssa turned to JoeGad and said, "You owe me one, JoeGad." JoeGad smiled and said, "I'll make it up to you, Lyss."
But little did JoeGad know, Sofia was watching the whole scene unfold from across the hallway. She felt a pang of jealousy and sadness, knowing that JoeGad was already taken to the formal by Alyssa. She wondered if she would ever have a chance with him.
As the days went by, Sofia couldn't help but feel a growing sense of disappointment and frustration. She had been hoping to ask JoeGad to the spring formal herself, but now it seemed like that opportunity had slipped away.
Alyssa, on the other hand, was thrilled to be going to the formal with JoeGad. She had always loved dressing up and dancing the night away, and she knew that JoeGad would be the perfect date.
But as the night of the formal approached, Sofia couldn't help but feel a little left out. She had decided not to go to the formal, not wanting to watch JoeGad and Alyssa together.
JoeGad, sensing that something was wrong, approached Sofia in the hallway one day. "Hey, Sofia, what's going on?" he asked, noticing that she seemed a little down.
Sofia shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, JoeGad. Just stressed out about school, that's all."
JoeGad nodded sympathetically. "I know how you feel. But maybe I can help take your mind off things. Want to grab some coffee with me after school?"
Sofia's heart skipped a beat. Was JoeGad actually asking her out? She tried to play it cool, but inside, she was screaming with excitement.
"Sure, JoeGad. I'd love to."
As they made plans to meet up, Sofia couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, she had a chance with JoeGad after all.
As the day of their coffee date approached, Sofia found herself feeling more and more nervous. She had been crushing on JoeGad for what felt like forever, and she couldn't believe that he was actually asking her out.
She spent hours getting ready, trying on different outfits and doing her hair and makeup. She wanted to make a good impression, but she also didn't want to seem like she was trying too hard.
When JoeGad arrived at the coffee shop, Sofia's heart skipped a beat. He looked even more handsome than usual, and his smile made her feel like melting.
"Hey, Sofia," he said, sitting down across from her. "You look amazing."
Sofia blushed, feeling a little shy. "Thanks, JoeGad. You don't look so bad yourself."
As they sipped their coffee and chatted, Sofia couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. JoeGad was easy to talk to, and he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her.
But just as things were starting to feel like they were going well, Alyssa walked into the coffee shop. She spotted JoeGad and Sofia sitting together, and her eyes narrowed.
"JoeGad, what's going on?" she asked, her voice a little too loud.
JoeGad looked up, a little startled. "Hey, Alyssa. Just grabbing coffee with Sofia."
Alyssa's eyes flicked to Sofia, and for a moment, Sofia felt like she was being sized up. But then Alyssa smiled, and Sofia felt a little more at ease.
"Cool," Alyssa said. "Mind if I join you?"
JoeGad shrugged, and Alyssa sat down, making the conversation a little more awkward. Sofia couldn't help but wonder if Alyssa was going to ruin everything.
As Alyssa sat down, the conversation became a little more stilted. Sofia could tell that Alyssa was trying to make an effort to be friendly, but there was an undercurrent of tension.
JoeGad, sensing the awkwardness, tried to steer the conversation back to safer topics. "So, Alyssa, how's your day been?" he asked, attempting to divert attention away from Sofia.
Alyssa launched into a story about her latest photography project, and Sofia found herself feeling a little left out. She tried to contribute to the conversation, but it felt like Alyssa was dominating the discussion.
As they finished up their coffee, JoeGad glanced at his watch. "I should probably get going," he said, standing up. "But Sofia, can I walk you home?"
Sofia's heart skipped a beat. Was JoeGad actually asking her out on a real date? She nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, sure."
Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "You two have fun, then," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Alyssa trudged through the front door of her house, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she was feeling so hurt and left out, but she knew it had something to do with JoeGad and Sofia.
Her mother, sensing that something was wrong, approached her in the living room. "Hey sweetie, what's wrong? You look like you've lost your last friend."
Alyssa shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Nothing, Mom. Just a long day at school."
But her mother wasn't buying it. She sat down next to Alyssa on the couch and put a gentle hand on her knee. "Alyssa, I know you too well. Something's bothering you, and I think it has to do with JoeGad."
Alyssa's eyes widened in surprise. How did her mom know? She tried to deny it, but her mom just raised an eyebrow.
"Don't play dumb with me, young lady. I've seen the way you look at JoeGad. You've had feelings for him for a long time, haven't you?"
Alyssa felt her face heat up with embarrassment. She didn't know how to respond. She had never admitted her feelings to anyone, not even herself.
"I...I don't know what you're talking about, Mom," she stammered.
But her mom just smiled knowingly. "Alyssa, it's okay to have feelings for someone. But you need to be honest with yourself about what those feelings are."
Alyssa felt a lump form in her throat. She didn't know what to say. She just shook her head and stood up, feeling overwhelmed.
"I need to go to my room, Mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her mom nodded understandingly. "Okay, sweetie. But just remember, I'm here for you, no matter what."
Alyssa nodded and made her way to her room, feeling like she was drowning in a sea of emotions. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a deep breath.
Why did her mom have to go and say that? Now Alyssa couldn't shake the feeling that she had been lying to herself all along. Did she really have feelings for JoeGad? And if so, what did that mean for their friendship?