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Sarad finished his last button of his shirt and checked to make sure he had his card when Dale asked if his was near Sarad's bed. he walked over and looked around a bit before finding it under one of his books. "here you go. sorry." he handed it over and brushed his hair quickly before heading out. "tacos sound fine to me. or maybe a taco salad, that sounds better." he felt cold, maybe was was getting sick? it was also getting colder by the day. "the fall festival is coming up soon, isn't it? are you planning to go to the dance?"

Sarad hadn't thought about going with someone. maybe if he did it would help with Dale's misunderstanding. but then-that would mean asking a girl to attend with him and he wasn't sure that he wanted to give anyone the impression that he was interested in him. "maybe i'll ask someone from club-" he said softly. he'd become friends with them, maybe he could say that he was thinking of going to the dance and didn't have a partner when they next met up. he was sure there would be one or two that would be willing to go with him as a friend. "but we will see. there is nothing wrong with a guy going alone, is there? if you go with a girl from your team then it will work out."

Sarad nodded as he head down the stairs and to the cafeteria, "i will see if anyone is free. it's not that far away, just before Thanksgiving break, so i'd imagine several people are already going with someone." he looked at the menu and shook his head when he saw there actually were tacos, "either you looked it up, or you have uncanny good luck," he muttered to Dale before ordering a taco salad. he sat down in their, now, usual spot and began to eat, glad they hadn't overdressed it. "what are you planning to wear? your nice clothes were ruined."

"yes, they do. especially before a dance. or you could go to the sewing club and see if anyone needs a project to do and ask them to make you something for a small fee. i hear that's how they make their spending money, at least that is what one of the girls in my club said. she is having them make her a dress." it was her talking about it that reminded him of the dance. Sarad never paid much attention to such things otherwise.

"i think it is a semi-formal dance, so just sunday best would work. but the winter formal ill require a suit." he remembered his own silken shirt and pants had been ruined by Dale's blood, but he had others he could wear instead. the problem was his uncle. Uncle Akash had bought those for him and he would have to report them as ruined. he just hoped that his helping his friend medically being the source of their ruining would earn him forgiveness, but after this weekend, he wasn't so sure. Sarad started to feel sick just thinking about it and he forced himself to think of something else. he noticed the hand holding his fork was shaking slightly and put it down to take a drink instead, trying to calm himself down. "either way, i'm not sure how many people would think to go to them so they might be free. and they always can refuse you, you know. it's worth asking. they meet up on tuesdays after class, so you could stop in and ask before track."

Sarad nodded, "i can help you design them if you want. i've alright taste in clothing, though i say it myself." he chuckled a little and shrugged, "or i could help you pick out and outfit. i don't mind, i should look for something for the formal dance as well...maybe i could send for my tux." it was at his aunt's, but would she feel that going to a dance would be a distraction? maybe he would have to make do with what he had. "ready to head back?" he asked, finished with his lunch. he hadn't been able to eat after he'd started to think about his clothing and his uncle

Sarad stood with his tray, a puzzled frown on his lips, "racquetball? i don't think i've ever played it." he hoped it wasn't hard, he wasn't an athletic person and Dale was. "i don't mind learning, though. if you'd be willing to teach me." he placed his tray in the dirty section and walked out with Dale, "where is it?" he was always willing to try something new.

Sarad stumbled slightly as Dale described racquetball. "Oh-" he smiled, but a cold sweat broke across his skin, "i do know that. i just didn't remember it's name. one of the walls is glass so others may watch, correct?" his cousins had been quite fond of the sport, they especially enjoyed target practice and their favorite target had been Sarad. "yes, they do." he walked with Dale, more than a little reluctant, but Dale wasn't going to be aiming at him, it was going to be ok. he took a slow breath, "i just hope i can keep up. you're far better than i am at sports. go easy on me, ok?"