How Green Becomes Wood

Xander nodded. "Good. Hang onto that thought. And find something to hold in your hand so you aren't rubbing your arms a bunch. Like a book or something. Okay, so, you ask her the question, and she says something about, yes, she's doing it so you'll like her. What she says exactly will probably change your answer, but what is something you'd like to tell her about it? How do you want to tell her you don't like it?"
 
"Saying the wrong thing is better than saying nothing at all," Xander assured him. "Just don't rush yourself, remind yourself to breathe, and count to three before saying anything. Alright? I bet she's here now. If we go now, you can talk to her before classes start. Otherwise, you're going to have to wait until lunch time." And Xander wasn't sure he'd survive that wait.
 
"You are no more crazy than me or anyone else walking these halls," Xander told him sternly. "You have some issues that should probably be addressed, but I bet that's true of at least half the kids here. Come on. I'll help you out, but you gotta do the talking." He nudged Milo's arm gently.

Becky had arrived at school, dressed in a shimmering, dark pink top, black short skirt, pink tights, black shoes, and black accessories. She stood chatting with Alec happily, her hair up in two perky ponytails that bounced excitedly as she talked.
 
"I'm not sure if that means I'm not crazy or if it means most people here are too," Milo replied dryly, but followed after Xander, repeatedly wiping his hands on the sides of his jeans to dry off the sweat.

When they made it to Becky, his mouth went a bit dry, which, despite his nerves about the whole thing, he still found somewhat amusing in an ironic sort of way. People normally wanted their crush's mouth to go dry at the mere sight of them, he thought, but not in this way. And Alec was there, so there'd be an audience. Hesitantly, Milo glanced at Xander.
 
Becky turned and smiled brightly at them. "Hi! Good morning to you both!"

"Morning," Xander said. He glanced at Alec and made a slight jerk with his head.

Alec scowled, clearly conveying the thought, I expect an explanation for this!, but said, "I think I forgot to fill my water bottle. I'm going to the water fountain," and walked away.

Xander glanced at Milo. There. He'd cleared the way. The rest was up to him.

Becky glanced between them, confused. "Um, is something wrong? If we were in a book, I think this would be the part where you tell me you're both madly in love with me, and I must choose! Well, that would be a romance book. I suppose if this was fantasy or paranormal or something, maybe you'll be telling me you aren't what you really seem." She pointed at Xander. "You're a werewolf, and you," she pointed to Milo, "are... a selkie, maybe? Or a really shy fellow werewolf? Or a ghost?" She smiled nervously.
 
Just like Xander instructed, Milo took a deep breath, counted to three, and then tried to look up at Becky. That, though, ended up too much, so staring down at the ground, he squeezed his hands on his backback strap and asked, "Why do you keep giving me candy?" with much more emotion in his voice than intended.
 
"Um." Becky glanced at Xander, now thoroughly confused and concerned.

Xander took a step away and pretended like he wasn't listening. Rather silly since he was literally two steps from the pair of them, but he figured the symbolism was what counted.

"Well, I do it because you like it - or, I thought you liked it - the candy, I mean, and because I like you," she said cautiously. "Are you alright, Milo? You look a little, um, under the weather." She was trying to be delicate about it.
 
Becky blinked at him and then blushed. "I didn't think this was how it'd come out. I was hoping to tell you myself, maybe next week," she said with an awkward smile. "Well, since you asked, the thing is, I really like you. Like, maybe crush level? But I was hoping to work my way up to telling you."
 
"Oh. Well." Becky flushed a little deeper. "That wasn't what I meant, but I guess it was a little bit what I was doing. Sorry. It's just... I saw how uncomfortable talking to anyone other than Xander made you, like, to the point where you sometimes look like you're physically in pain. I know I can be a lot for people who aren't super shy, so I thought maybe if I kind of got you more used to me before I really started talking to you, then maybe you'd at least give me a chance. At least as a friend if nothing else. I thought if I just tried straight-up talking to you, let alone asked you out, you'd be really freaked out. I just didn't want you to hate me just for trying to talk to you."
 
"It kind of freaks me out regardless," Milo mumbled, squeezing his backpack straps. Then he looked suddenly at Xander, realizing he never worked through how to actually tell her to stop.
 
Milo looked at her confused, not knowing quite how to explain himself without looking insane. "I know you didn't," he admitted, took a breath, and then instead of saying the eloquent explanation he expected to think up, when he reached the count of two, said, "My brain is worms."
 
Becky stared at him. Xander pressed his lips together hard and looked at the ceiling for a moment. This was a serious moment. He was not allowed to laugh. If he laughed, that would probably break Milo for good.

"That's not something I expected," Becky said slowly. She reached up and fiddled with her hair, biting her lip. "If I understand what you are trying to tell me, and please tell me if I'm wrong, this means that me trying to make you more comfortable around me totally bit me in the ass because now you're more uncomfortable. Right? So, you'd rather I stop trying. I can do that." She looked away for a moment, clearly fighting her emotions and her expression. When she felt like she could control her voice, she asked very carefully, "Does this mean that you are not interested in even a friendship with me? Like, even if I promised to stop doing things like give you things I think you'd like?"
 
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