Chapter 12
The thought of almost kissing Theo keeps me awake well past midnight. I toss my pillow, thinking about the way his gaze lingered, unwavering and wanting. It’s late autumn, so why is it so hot in here? I kick off my comforter and step out onto the balcony, gazing at stars again.
I imagine—for a moment—that we could be close, and it fills me with apprehension.
Would his lips have been soft? Firm? Would he have pulled me closer or kept that maddening, teasing distance between us? Ugh. I press my face into the pillow, muffling a groan. This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t be obsessing over something that didn’t even happen.
But it almost did. That’s the worst part.
Theo could have any girl he wants, and I don’t want to be a momentary conquest, someone to pass time with while he lives here. He’s probably not into girls who spend time at night charting moon phases.
The air blowing in from the mountains chills my skin, making the hair on my arms stand on end. I go back inside and plop onto my back, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars I stuck on my ceiling years ago. They’ve faded now, barely visible, just like my common sense apparently has.
I’m terrified that he’ll see my geeky side, my love of astrology and books, and lose interest. What if I’m just a temporary distraction? Something different from the popular girls following him around? If we had kissed and he’d pulled away with that look of regret—I couldn’t bear it.
The next morning, it takes every ounce of restraint not to gawk at his lips at the kitchen table. I still can’t believe we almost kissed. Giving myself a mental shake, I focus on feeding Noah and run out of the house as soon as our plates are empty.
“Chrissy, wait up!” Theo calls after me and catches up in a few easy strides.
My eyes immediately fly to his mouth. What is wrong with me? Why can’t I stop thinking about last night?
Shaking my head like I’m trying to dislodge something stuck in my hair, I say, “I have to get to class.” Then I start walking away from him.
“Look,” he says, adjusting his backpack on one shoulder as he falls into step beside me. “If we’re going to do this whole living-together thing, maybe we should actually go to school together. Not with you racing ahead like I’ve got some contagious disease.”
A nervous laugh escapes me. My fingers twist the strap of my bag. “People will stare, Theo.”
“Let them,” he says with a casual shrug that I envy. “Come on, what do you say?”
My instincts scream to keep my distance, to protect my heart, but something else—something reckless and hopeful—makes me nod. “Fine. But don’t blame me when the rumor mill explodes.”
Going in through the main entrance with Theo by my side is so nerve wracking. My cheeks burn from all the unwanted attention. Does everyone know we live under the same roof now?
The hateful eyes of some of the girls as we pass by keep me on my toes. I tug at the hem of my sweater, desperate to make myself smaller under their scrutinizing gazes.
“Don’t worry,” Theo says. Although his warm smile comforts me, this is uncharted territory, and the spotlight feels foreign to me. “You look like you’re being marched to your execution.”
“Being seen with you is like landing on the front page of the Maplewood Springs Herald,” I whisper. “People will talk.”
He laughs, unfazed, like it’s just another normal day at school. “Let them talk. It’s not like we’re doing anything scandalous. We’re just walking to class.”
I keep my head down. “You don’t understand. Standing next to you feels like I’m a homing device for lasers shooting out of every girl’s eyes.”
Theo bursts into obnoxious laughter. “Your analogies are hysterical.”
“I’m serious—missiles, lasers, poisonous darts—their eyes are all those things. Can’t you walk ahead of me, please?” I slow my pace, and he does the same. Frustrating and endearing, simultaneously. Only he can make me feel this way.
He suddenly steps in front of me, and my temperature goes up. “If we live together, we can walk to school together. It’s not like we’re holding hands and declaring our undying love.”
I thought I’d developed a certain level of immunity to that swagger of his, but geez was I wrong. “You’re ridiculous,” I say, pretending not to be bothered.
“It’s part of my charm. But I’ll honor your request.” He smirks and walks away to join his teammates.
As always, Stephanie and Ian wait for me by the lockers.
“Looks like someone’s moving up in life,” Ian says, his eyebrows twitching up and down.
“Tell me all,” Stephanie demands, all giddy. “Did anything happen yet?”
“Nothing happened.”
Her eyes turn to probes. “Those rosy cheeks say otherwise. Go on, spill the tea.”
I glance around, ensuring no one’s listening, before leaning in close. “Well”—Stephanie’s eyes fly wide—“we almost kissed last night.” The words make a furnace out of me.
Her mouth drops, and she squeals and claps. “Chrissy!”
I shoosh her. “I said we almost kissed, but I don’t know what to think of it yet.”
“What will you do if you get another chance?” she asks.
“Okay,” Ian says, holding up his hand in protest, “I’m not into horror stories, so excuse me if I don’t want to hear the gory details of your imagination. Catch you later.” He disappears into the hallway crowd.
“Forget him,” Stephanie says. “So, how did it start? Tell me everything.”
I give her a quick recap, to which she responds with an earnest hug and congratulations, then we head to first period.
Pretty sure the rumors of Theo and me have spread school wide by now, so I’m not looking forward to confronting the Queen Bee herself about it. She will no doubt see me as a rival.
Just as I’m about to enter the classroom, Paige appears next to me, all smiles. “Hey, Chrissy.” Something is up, her tone is way too friendly, and she never called me by my name before.
“Uh . . . hi?” I say, unsure of how to process this yet.
As soon as we walk in together, I spot Theo sitting at my desk, chatting with Rick, and when he sees me walk in with Paige at my arm, his brow raises in shock.
That makes two of us.
Paige proceeds to her desk, and as I approach mine, Theo gets up.
My voice drops low. “What were you guys talking about?”
“Nothing,” Theo says. “Just catching up with my buddy here.” Then he takes his seat.
I never knew he was friends with Rick. But then again, I never socialized with Theo until last week.
As I yank my textbook out of my bag, Paige calls my name again.
“I’m having a party this weekend,” she says with a bright smile. “You should come.”
What is going on here? Invitation to party with the Queen Bees? Yeah, right—that’ll be the day. I bite my lip, searching for a polite way to decline. “Thanks, but I don’t believe—“
“Come on, it’ll be fun. We can get to know each other better.”
Okay—did aliens take over her body and mind, or is she pranking me?
“Give it some thought,” she says and begins to admire her manicured hands.
My eyes find Theo, whose shrug tells me he’s as confused as I am. This is officially the weirdest day of my life. It’s like the world has flipped upside down.
Classes move along without any trouble, and a sense of oddity comes over me, like things aren’t how they’re supposed to be. Even during lunch, people greet us, and Paige waves at us from her table, which freaks me out. What did they put in the chocolate milk today?
I tell Stephanie and Ian about the invite, and I’m not surprised they think we should attend.
“We’ve never been to a high school party before,” Stephanie argues. “It’s a big step-up from our slumber parties and Pride and Prejudice marathons.”
“I doubt going to the Queen Bees’ hive is a good idea.” The feeling that something bad could happen lingers in my chest. “Sorry, Steph, I’ll skip this one.”
“I’m with Steph,” Ian chimes in. “Maybe she turned over a new leaf?”
Well, at least I know Ian’s crush on Paige is as strong as ever.
After school, as the three of us head back home, Theo catches up to us near the gate.
“You guys want to go to Hungry Arcade later?” he asks.
It’s not a spot I’d go to—full of neon lights, loud music, and popular kids—but the idea of spending time with Theo is hard to resist.
I glance at Stephanie, who’s already nodding, and I know Ian is a gamer, so he’s in. “Yeah, sure. Why not?”
“Great!” Theo says. “We’ll meet up later.”
***
We arrive at Hungry Arcade at 6 p.m. It’s a place I’ve only heard about in passing.
The smell of buttered popcorn fills the air, loud music blasts from speakers suspended from the ceiling, and the flashing lights of the arcade games illuminate the faces of players.
There’s even a small snack bar offering cherry slushies and vanilla milkshakes.
Theo orders a round of sodas, and Stephanie and Ian dart off to play air hockey, leaving Theo and me alone at last. We stroll through the rows of games until we come across one of those retro basketball hoops with a scoreboard overhead.
“You think you can take me?” Theo challenges, crossing his arms with a grin.
“You’re on,” I reply, determined not to let him beat me. He drops in a few quarters, and the game timer starts counting down. My competitive streak kicks in as I shoot basket after basket, some landing, others bouncing Theo’s ball out of the way.
“I see how it is,” he says, sinking three baskets in a row with infuriating ease. His form is perfect—elbow tucked, wrist flicking just right—and the scoreboard flashes even.
I grab a ball with both hands and fire off shot after shot, my rhythm building until I’m ahead by six. “Bet you didn’t expect that, did you?”
He laughs, the sound low and warm. “Beginner’s luck.”
He didn’t just say that.
As he lines up his next shot, I lean in and nudge his elbow. The ball clangs off the rim.
“Oh, we’re playing dirty now?” His eyes spark with mischief as he turns to face me.
I shrug, biting back a grin. “All’s fair in love and basketball.”
“Love, huh?” He effortlessly makes another hoop. “Interesting choice of words.”
Why did I say that? I attempt to formulate an explanation but find myself momentarily unable to think clearly. “You know what I meant.”
“Do I?” The dimple from his grin is doing dangerous things to my concentration.
The timer ticks down. I whirl back to the hoop and launch another ball. It swishes through the net, and I pump my fist. “Ha! Still winning.”
“For now.” He scoops up two balls at once and starts rapid firing them toward the hoop. One goes in. Then another. The gap between our scores narrows.
No way am I letting him catch up.
I grab a ball and accidentally-on-purpose bump his hip as I shoot. He stumbles, laughing, and his next shot goes wide.
“Foul!” he protests.
“Prove it,” I shoot back, scoring another basket.
He gives me a playful shove—gentle, just enough to throw me off balance. I grab his arm to steady myself, and before I know it, his fingers interlock with mine. His eyes linger on me, and I don’t mind one bit.
Then the buzzer blares, shattering the moment.
I jerk back and throw my hands up in victory, grinning like I’ve won the lottery. “And the crowd goes wild!”
“You got me,” Theo says, his hands up in surrender. “How about a rematch?”
“What’s the matter?” I lift my chin, feeling bold. “Not used to a girl kicking your butt at sports?”
“I don’t mind if it’s you.”
Just as I swallow my fluttering heart back into place, Paige approaches us with assessing eyes. “There you are!”
Stephanie and Ian return from air hockey, and the whole situation seems surreal. We’re hanging out with the popular kids like we’re part of the same clique.
Page invites us to her party again, saying that everyone is welcome.
Stephanie gives me an enthusiastic nudge, and the smitten expression on Ian’s face tells me he’s forgotten all about what happened in the lunchroom the first week of class.
Typical.
I sigh, knowing they will never let me hear the end of it if I say no again.
“It could be fun,” Theo says.
What is it they say? If you can’t beat them, join them. “Okay, we’ll come.” I say it with an air of indifference, though I can’t deny I’m as excited as Stephanie, who bounces on her toes.
As we leave the arcade, Theo and I share a few fleeting glances, unable to talk much with Paige inserting herself between us.
“I should get home,” I say. “We’ve got a chemistry exam to study for.”
Paige scoffs. “Don’t remind me. This exam has me stressed out, hence the party.”
After she leaves, the four of us walk home together, and I voice my concerns about the party. “You sure this is a good idea? It’s not really our crowd.”
“Ouch,” Theo remarks.
“Obviously, you’re excluded from that comment,” I add, and Theo’s lips stretch into a wide grin.
“That’s why it’s perfect,” Stephanie says. “Come on, Chrissy, when was the last time we tried something new?”
Ian nods. “How often does Paige Buchanan invite us anywhere? It’s like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“I thought you didn’t like her anymore,” Stephanie says.
Ian spreads his arms to the sides, palms facing the sky. “I’m simply not the type who holds grudges.”
“Hopeless as ever,” Stephanie says.
I grimace at the mounting peer pressure. “Fine, but if this goes south, I’m blaming both of you.”
“It’ll be fun,” Stephanie says, linking her arm through mine.
As the week goes by, everyone seems to be buzzing with nervous energy over the upcoming exam on Friday.
When the day comes, I sit at my desk and take a deep breath. I think I’ve studied enough, so it should go well.
Once Mr. Kendrick finishes distributing the exams, the only sound in the classroom is the scribbling of pencils on paper.
Forty minutes later, I exit the classroom confidently, but still uneasy about tonight’s upcoming party.