Chapter 22
The morning sun slants through my blinds, painting golden stripes across my bedroom as I stand in front of the mirror.
For the first time this school year, a flutter of excitement replaces the usual knot of dread that accompanies me before school.
I brush my hair with steady strokes, and a smile tugs at my lips that I can’t quite contain.
Did I really do that last night? The memory floods back in vivid flashes—the spotlight heat on my skin, the music pulsing through my veins, the crowd erupting into genuine applause.
High school audiences are brutal judges, ready to destroy you with a single snicker or eye roll. But they cheered. For me.
I owe everything to Theo. My heart skips at just the thought of him—his encouraging smile, those sincere eyes, and the softness of his lips pressed against mine.
The kiss.
I press my cool palms against my flaming cheeks, trying to calm the crimson spreading across my face. My stomach performs its own private dance routine.
Does this mean we’re officially dating now? Are we a couple? The questions tumble through my mind as I shove books into my backpack.
Downstairs, mom made pancakes. I wolf them down as Noah gives me his now signature toothless smile while checking the time every thirty seconds, my knee bouncing under the table.
“Someone’s in a hurry,” mom says.
“Don’t want to be late,” I mumble through a mouthful, already pushing back my chair.
I feel so light walking to school that even my heavy bookbag doesn't bother me; I'm just excited to see Theo.
When the brick building comes into view, I spot him immediately. Theo stands leaning against the stone pillar by the entrance, scrolling through his phone, one foot propped behind him. Sooo hot. I’ll never tire of seeing him like this.
“Hey,” I call out, slightly breathless.
He looks up, tucking the phone away, and his whole face brightens. “There you are. Been waiting for you.” He comes up to me and leans in, his mouth next to my ear. “You know, I kinda miss seeing you in your morning jersey.”
The warmth I felt on my face this morning from thinking about our kiss is nothing compared to how it feels now—like an active volcano. I push him away and face the school entrance. He’s such a tease.
Students filter past us in chattering groups. They’ve all seen my performance yesterday. What if those cheers were just politeness, and now they’ll laugh when my back is turned?
Theo steps forward and slides his arm around my shoulders. “Ready?”
I look up at him and smile. “Let’s go.”
Stepping inside the familiar hallways, I feel safe under the umbrella of Theo’s arm. The drone of students fills the halls as we pass, and they turn to greet us.
“That dance was amazing,” a girl I don’t even know says. Her enthused face follows us for a moment, like she wants to ask me to teach her a few moves.
“Thanks,” I say.
“Way to go, Lang!” someone calls. I jerk my head around to see a guy from math class giving me a thumbs-up.
Compliments fly from every direction, and with each one, I retreat deeper into Theo’s embrace.
“What am I going to do with your new celebrity status?” he says. “I see how some of these guys look at you now.”
“Says the guy who is the school’s universal crush. Or haven’t you noticed?”
Theo draws me in tighter. “The only attention I crave is yours.”
“Good answer.”
“Still, I got no one to blame but myself,” he says with a sigh.
“What do you mean?”
Theo steps in front of me. “I was the one who signed you up for the talent show.”
“No way!” I punch him in the arm. “All this time I thought it was Paige.” Honestly, I’m glad he did, but he doesn’t need to know that right now. “Do you know how much sleep I lost stressing over it?”
“Probably not as much as I lost over thinking about you.”
His answers just keep getting better.
Stephanie and Ian meet us by the lockers, both grinning.
“There’s the star of the show!” Stephanie says, throwing her arms around me. “You were amazing out there.”
“Don’t forget the star clown,” Ian chimes in, patting Theo on the shoulder. “What possessed you, man? I don’t think anyone saw that coming from you.”
Theo offers a slight smile and shrugs. “I thought it would move people.” His gaze falls on me.
“Oh, it moved people, all right,” Ian says. “It moved them to tears. I’m thinking of hiring you for my birthday party.”
As the four of us reminisce about Theo’s performance, we burst into laughter, the kind that makes your stomach ache in the best way. Then we head to class.
Mr. Kendrick lectures about the periodic table, but all of it flies over my head. My singular focus is on Theo. We glance at each other every chance we get, like two atoms drawn by magnetic force. Okay—maybe some of what Mr. Kendrick preaches sticks.
Paige is unusually quiet, no smug looks, no biting remarks—just silence, her head down as she scribbles in her notebook.
When chemistry ends, I tell Theo I’ll meet him outside. I need a moment with Paige. Something tells me it’s the right thing to do.
I walk up to her desk as she slips her notebook into her bag.
“Paige,” I say as she stands, her expression unreadable. I take a deep breath. “Chances are we’re never going to see each other again after high school. I don’t want us to end up hating each other. Truce?” I extend my hand, hoping she’ll take it.
She stares at it for a moment, then at my face. “Don’t push it,” she says, brushing past me.
Well, so much for that. At least I tried.
“Hey,” Paige says from the doorway. I turn and look her in the eyes. “You looked good out there.”
She storms out into the hallway before I even have time to say “thanks.” Maybe there’s hope for us after all.
When the last class ends, I rush to my locker, eager to see Theo. He had been waiting there for me, leaning against the metal rectangle, looking all suave.
As we head toward the exit, he takes my hand, his fingers lacing with mine.
It’s so surreal, everything that’s happened in the past few months. I wouldn’t change a single moment. After all, it got me to where I am right now—holding hands with the person I’m falling in love with.