Bittersweet Candy Bowl

35. Under Pressure, original chapter posted 3/17/07

Page 7 of 10

Transcript

*Paulo and Tess walk down the hallway together.*
Paulo: And then she said it AGAIN!
Tess: No way!

*Paulo and Tess pause outside the lockers. Paulo points upward with both hands, scowling and pouting in mock sternness.*
Paulo: “You wanna test me? 600 sit-ups!!”
*Tess giggles.*
Tess: You shoulda kept quiet!!

*Paulo turns away as Tess smirks at him.*
Paulo: Gimme a break! She said something about interrupting some kinda “love triangle”! What’s THAT supposed to mean!

*Tess, surrounded by sparkles, exaggeratedly snuggles up to Paulo’s back with a teasing smile.Paulo flinches, blushing deeply.*
Tess: Well, it’s not unusual to have a secret crush~ ♥

*Paulo laughs in embarrassment and shoves Tess away.*
Paulo: SH-SHUTTUP!!
*Tess grins and winks at him.*
Tess: C’mon, what’s the big deal?

*Paulo strikes a cool pose and grins awkwardly.*
Paulo: You’re just.. cramping my style! I’m a real Casanova, dontcha know..
*Tess smirks at him, shrugging.*
Tess: Oh, SURE.

*Paulo pouts as he glares at her over his shoulder.*
Paulo: So how about YOUR love life? Since you got that prom coming up..
*Tess, turning away, looks a little embarrassed.*
Tess: Haha, well..

*Tess glances down and blushes, looking disappointed.*
Tess: I don’t know if I’ll bother. I don’t really have anyone to go with, and nobody’s asked me out, so..

*Paulo shuffles next to Tess, looking away while whistling shyly.*
Paulo: ♪…
*Tess looks up in surprised realization.*
Tess: …

*Tess blushes and glances back toward him.*
Tess: … Paulo..?

*Paulo kneels in front of Tess with a single long-stemmed rose in his mouth. He bows his head with a smile and takes her hand. Tess blushes, surprised.*
Tess: W-- ?!
Paulo: Milady..

*Paulo looks up at Tess, grinning confidently, surrounded by sparkles.*
Paulo: May I escort you to the ball?

Paulo: .. and make out with you on the way there?
*Paulo, surrounded by hearts, grins and gives a thumbs up. Tess’ face falls.*
Tess: …

*Tess turns her back on him, bursting out into a fit of laughter.*
Tess: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
*Paulo smiles nervously.*
Paulo: Well?

*Tess stands up straight, facing away from Paulo.*
Tess: Paulo..

*Tess turns back to him, smiling sweetly.*
Tess: It’s a date! ♥

*Paulo’s eyes twinkle as his mouth drops open into a wide, gleeful smile. He is surrounded by sparkles and hearts.*

Tess: .. Just as friends, though.
*Tess smiles awkwardly. Paulo waves a fist through the air in mock anger.*
Paulo: Aww, shucks!

Author commentary

Veronica: Paulo in panel twelve fills me with much delight.. I just love his cheerful and flirtatious expression.. especially with his follow up. Can’t be suave for too long!

Man he fell for her FAST. Their dynamic is certainly different from Paulo and Lucy where he can only tease her for so long before he gets smacked away. Tess flirts back!