Chapter Twenty-Two
Sophie
Axel texted me last night and we decided to go to the arcade after my session with Damian. As I wait outside for his car to pick me up, I can’t stop thinking about Damian. When our hands touched in class and at the library. That tingle that went down my spine. I’m pretty sure he felt it, too.
Whatever it is, I won’t think about it when I should be thinking about my boyfriend.
Or potential boyfriend. Will he ask me to be his girlfriend today?
Or is it too early for that? I’m supposed to be an expert on romance because I read so much, but it turns out I don’t really know anything after all.
A car honks in the distance before Axel sticks his head out, waving. Smiling so wide my cheeks hurt, I rush to the car and climb in.
“Hi!”
“Hey. How was your day?”
“Good. Too long.”
“I feel you. I couldn’t wait to see you again and the hours just didn’t move.”
I giggle, then clear my throat. He smiles, his hands on the steering wheel in such a relaxed manner.
We talk about many different topics—mostly books—as he drives to the arcade. Then we enter and play as many games as we can. Axel is pretty good.
We don’t really talk because the music is too loud. I’m dismayed because I really like talking to him. He seems pretty bummed, too, but he makes up for it by getting tons of tickets and telling me he’ll hand them all to me.
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him.
“I don’t mind. Believe me, I already redeemed everything I want from the prize area.”
“Okay, thanks.”
We spend more time playing and trying to squeeze in some sentences as well. When it’s time for a break, we sit on the benches on the side, away from all the noise.
He wraps an arm around me, tugging me to his shoulder. “Are you having a good time?”
“A very good time. You sure know how to make a girl feel special.”
He beams and sits up. “I was thinking we could go to a party on Friday?”
“Okay, whose?”
“Isn’t someone from your school throwing one? Believe me, you don’t want to go to a party thrown by kids from my school.”
“If you say so. Sure, we can go to a party. Someone from my school always has one.”
“Cool. Sounds like fun. I’m actually very excited to go to the party with you. To do anything with you, really.” He frowns as he looks around. “Do you want to get out of here and go somewhere else? Maybe we can go for a drive?”
“Okay. This arcade is way too noisy.”
“Yeah.”
We leave the place and get in his car. He doesn’t put on music because he doesn’t want it to distract us from our conversation.
We talk more about books until it gets late and he unfortunately has to drive me home. Before I get out of the car, he wraps his arms around me. “Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
“Me, either.”
As I’m in his arms, it dawns on me that my stomach doesn’t have butterflies and I’m not tingling like I did before. And definitely no spark. Not like with Damian, when just a touch of his skin made me…
I push that aside. That’s not important. Axel and my feelings for him are.
He presses a kiss on my cheek, and I expect something to happen to my body. Like the girls in my books. They all swoon and their hearts go into overdrive and they feel like they’re on top of the world. But none of that happens.
“What?” he asks.
“Nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
It’s fine, I tell myself as I get out of the car and head toward the girls’ dorm. My body is confused because of Damian, that’s all. His brooding eyes and kind smile make my heart act in a way it shouldn’t. But things will make sense soon.
Axel is Mr. Real Romance. The guy I’ve been searching for. I know it deep in my heart and nothing will change that.
Later, when he texts me, I forget all about Damian and my confusing feelings.
Axel makes me laugh and feel good and he’s just…
perfect. Oh my gosh, I can’t believe this is happening to me.
Just a few weeks ago, I wanted to fall for someone.
Okay, maybe I’m not falling yet, but it’s definitely getting close.
And when we hang out at the party, everything will be perfect.
***
The next afternoon, I’m trying not to rush through my lesson with Damian, but I can’t help it.
Axel keeps texting me every so often and I know it’s distracting.
That’s why I want to finish. And because I can’t wait to go to the party with him tonight.
My first party with a sort-of boyfriend. It’ll be amazing.
Damian glances at my phone after it buzzes on the table with another text. Then he lifts a brow at me. “So you guys are getting pretty serious.”
“I mean, I don’t know. We’ve only been on two dates, but we’ve been texting and video chatting all day.”
His eyes narrow. “What do you even know about him?”
“A lot. He told me about his family. He’s an only child. His favorite food is…” My eyebrows furrow. “Why am I telling you this?”
“I never asked for that information.”
“The point is, I know him well. Why are you being all weird?”
He shakes his head. “I’m not being weird. Just making sure you’re not jumping into something too deeply, that’s all.”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’m okay. I really like this guy and he likes me. What else is there?”
“You’re right. It’s not my business.”
He continues doing quiet work. I sense something off with him, but I don’t know what it is.
“Is everything okay?” I ask him.
“Yep.”
“Okay, but you seem tense.”
“Not tense.”
My phone beeps with another text. When I read it, I smile. “He’s asking me what to wear to the party. Aw, so cute.” He sent a picture of himself holding two shirt options. I text back, telling him which one I like best.
Damian watches me. “Look, it’s okay for you to skip a session. I understood everything we learned in class, so it’s cool. Go hang out with your guy.”
“Are you sure?”
“I won’t tattle to my mom.”
“I know. But I feel bad.”
He waves his hand. “Don’t feel bad. I don’t need your services today. Go have fun.”
I hesitate. “What are your plans for tonight?”
“Probably going to draw or watch TV.”
I nod slowly. “Are you sure you don’t mind if I leave?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” I pass a paper over to him. “But please answer these questions over the weekend so I know you’re all caught up and understand the material.”
He frowns at the homework. “Really?”
“Well, it’s up to you if you want to do it.”
He nods, and as he takes it from me, his finger brushes mine and a tingle shoots down my back. Not again!
His eyes lift to mine and he stares into them. I look into his before jerking them away and packing up my things. “I hope you have fun tonight with your drawing and your movies.”
“Same with you and Axel.”
“Thanks.”
I give him a quick nod and a smile before leaving the library. I don’t like that touching him keeps confusing my body. Seriously. Why can’t it cooperate?
My friends are waiting in Addie and Carly’s room to help me pick out a cute outfit. I want to blow Axel’s socks off, so we pick out one of the prettiest dresses Addie owns.
My eyes pop out as I stare at my reflection. “Are you guys sure about this? It’s just a party.”
“Maybe it’s just a party, but you’re with the man of your dreams,” Addie says. “A romance book character come to life.”
I smile as I gaze at myself. “He really is. He kept texting me how every little thing reminded him of me. Like the sunshine and the birds chirping. Aw, I’m so happy I don’t know what to do with myself.”
They smile.
“When are you going to tell your parents about him?”
I turn from side to side, inspecting myself in the mirror. “Maybe next week. I still want to keep things private, you know? Just between us. My parents will want to meet him and I don’t want to overwhelm him.”
“Makes sense,” Raven says.
“All we need to do is find you a guy,” Addie tells her. “Then all of us will have boyfriends.”
I give her a look. “Maybe it’s best you stay out of our love lives.”
“Rude,” she grumbles.
I lift a brow. “You were wrong about Damian.”
Her mouth opens and closes and then she crosses her arms over her chest. “Fine.”
“Besides, Raven has Camp Lover Boy,” I tease.
“Oh my gosh, I do not!”
My phone beeps with a text. “Axel will be here in five minutes. Someone do my hair and makeup!”
When all that is done and I look like a princess, I grab my coat and rush down the stairs and out the door.
Axel stands outside his car, and as soon as he sees me, his jaw nearly reaches the floor. “Sophie, you look amazing.”
“Thanks.”
He glances down at his T-shirt and jeans. “If I knew you’d dress up, I would have worn something nicer.”
“It’s okay.”
He gestures to the car. “Ready to go?”
“More than ready.”
He smiles and opens the door for me. After we get in and he heads for Justin’s house, he says, “We’re going to have so much fun tonight.”
His excitement makes me even more excited, but where are the butterflies?