Gabriel's POV
This girl is insane.That was the only thought running through my head as Broba adjusted the dress I was wearing.
Yes, you read that right. A dress.
We'd gone over the plan at least a hundred times. I knew exactly what to do, but the whole me in a dress part was still messing with my head.
"Come on, Gabriel, no need to pout. You're doing this for your best friend, remember?" she said, mimicking my sulky expression.
My face softened. She looked so damn adorable.
"Okay, you're ready," she said, stepping back to admire her work.
I turned to the mirror and… wow. I looked absolutely ridiculous. The blonde wig wasn't helping either.
"You know what to do?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Alright, let's go. And remember—keep your back to them at all times and use the high-pitched voice. No exceptions."
"Yes, ma'am," I said, saluting.
We left my room and headed out to the dorm yard. Broba texted Hope, and I texted Alec, asking them to meet us there.
"Go hide over there until they show up," she instructed, pointing to a large oak tree.
"Good luck," she whispered as I walked away. I smiled at her.
A few minutes later, I saw Hope walk into the yard, glancing around. Alec followed soon after, walking in the opposite direction. They didn't notice each other. Perfect.
Broba nodded to Naomi, who was waiting nearby, and Naomi approached Hope with a wide smile, leading her to a bench and striking up a casual conversation.
Then Matt arrived and pulled Alec to the opposite end of the yard, doing the same.
Once they were both occupied, Thomas and Ellie appeared, carrying a picnic basket and a blanket. They set everything up in a secluded spot, with place cards that read Hope and Alec.
Showtime.
Broba gave me a thumbs-up, then pulled the black hoodie over her head and ran off in the opposite direction, clutching my wallet—the one I "lost" for the act.
I took a deep breath, then screamed in the most dramatic, high-pitched voice I could muster:
"HEEEELP! SOMEONE STOLE MY WALLET! HELP MEEEE!"
I flailed my arms like a lunatic, and, thankfully, no one else seemed to care—except the people who were supposed to. Naomi and Matt played their part perfectly, drawing attention to the "robbery."
Alec sprang up and ran after the thief (a.k.a. Broba), who made a point to keep her face hidden. Hope, of course, followed.
Broba circled around, leading them directly to the picnic area. Then, as planned, she turned and bumped into Hope, who fell to the ground—right in front of the setup.
Alec ran over, helping her up. "Oh hey! Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm oka—" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the picnic. Her eyes scanned the blanket, the place cards, everything.
Then she looked at Alec.
Then they both looked at us—all of us—standing across the yard, peeking from behind trees and bushes.
"ASK HER OUT, YOU IDIOT!" Broba yelled.
Alec's eyes widened. He turned back to Hope, led her to the blanket, and they sat down. They talked for a bit. Then, finally, he asked her something.
Hope nodded, beaming.
Then they kissed.
We erupted in cheers.
Broba turned to me, and we hugged—quickly pulling away when we realized how close we were. Both of us were a little red in the face.
Maybe wearing the dress was worth it.
Wait a minute—
"Hold up. If we just needed a girl for this trick, why didn't one of you three do it?" I asked.
Broba grinned sheepishly while the others burst out laughing.
"I just really wanted to see you in a dress. Plus, it was hilarious."
I narrowed my eyes and poked her side, making her laugh.
"You mischievous little bookworm."
Broba's POV
"Hey, Peanut," Gabriel said, ruffling my hair as he sat down beside me.
The nickname was clearly a jab at my height, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"That's mean. I'm allergic to peanuts, you know."
He laughed. "That just makes me want to call you that even more, Peanut."
"What if I gave you a nickname too?" I challenged.
"Go ahead. Try me." He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed.
I tapped my chin dramatically. "Hmm… String Bean?"
He shook his head, unimpressed.
"Spaghetti Arms?"
He gave me a mock-offended look.
"Okay, okay… Hercules?"
He raised his eyebrows. "So… you're calling me strong, attractive, and a literal god?"
"Shut up. I'll come up with a good one someday, okay?"
"Whatever you say, Peanut."