Chapter 63: Phase Two
We got to the roof and Jake was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. "So what’s the plan? What’s Phase Two?"
I walked over to the edge and leaned against the railing, looking down at the street below. "Phase Two," I said, trying to sound like I had any idea what I was talking about, "is about creating an opportunity."
I turned to face him. "You can’t just walk up to her and say, ’Hey, I also like weird documentaries, let’s go out.’ You’ll scare her off."
"Right, right," he said, nodding so fast his head looked like it was going to fly off. "Too aggressive. So what do I do?"
I sighed and walked over to the edge of the roof, my hands gripping the railing. The city looked flat and quiet from up here. "We need an opportunity," I said, turning back to him. "And it has to feel natural. You can’t just go in there with a plan."
Jake just stared at me, his eyes wide. "Natural," he repeated, like it was a word from a different language.
"Tomorrow, at lunch, I’ll find her," I explained, the words just coming to me. "I’ll ask her about studying for that chemistry test. She already said she was struggling, and I already offered to help, so it won’t seem weird. I’ll suggest we go to the library after school."
He nodded slowly, processing the information.
"When we get there, you’re going to be near the entrance," I continued. "Not waiting, just there. Look at your phone, look at a poster, I don’t care. Just look busy."
"Busy," he mumbled, his eyes darting around the empty rooftop as if practicing.
"I’ll see you and say hi. I’ll tell you we’re going to study for the chem test, and then I’ll ask if you want to join us. It takes all the pressure off you. All you have to do is say yes."