Chapter 28
“DREAM GIRL” BY ANNAJE
Somehow, I had managed to find myself watching the boys practice football with Sally. My head was on her shoulder, my eyes closed, yet she never pulled away. In fact, I think she leaned closer to me so I wouldn’t fall.
We eventually made it to the parking lot. I had convinced her to stop torturing herself and go home at a respectable time, and she made me forget about the gun in my bookbag long enough to enjoy a laugh or two.
“I should go.” Quinntessa leaned back against her car and threw her thumb behind her. “My dad’s home tonight.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” I rubbed my arm and offered her a small smile.
Our conversation from early floated in my head—every nervous laugh she handed to me, every smile, every accidental brush of her leg against mine. I was delighted when she didn’t immediately slip away and get into her car, shuffling in place and blushing under my gaze instead.
“Don’t look so sad, babe,” I teased her with a smile. “I’ll see your pretty face tomorrow.”
A soft squeak came from the back of her throat as she laughed and looked away from me. Her fingers toyed with the heart necklace around her throat, chewing on her bottom lip to contain her smile.
“You wish I’d miss your face,” she shot back, her confidence wavering.
“You’re right.” I took a small step forward and placed my hand on the soft top of her car, leaning closer. “I do wish you’d miss my cute face.”
“I never said your face was cute.” Quinntessa avoided my eyes and pressed her lips together.
Her cheeks bloomed shades I could only compare to the surrounding sunset. The sky sure complimented her eyes, pulling every angelic hue from her kissable, glittery gloss.
“You didn’t have to.” I scrunched my nose at her and smirked. “I can read your mind.”
“Really?” she snorted. “What am I thinking now?”
I leaned closer and looked directly into her eyes. They widened slightly and her breath hitched.
“You’re thinking about me,” I whispered, licking my lips. “And how you can’t wait for me to text you tonight. Isn’t that right, Mustang?”
“N-No,” she stuttered, her eyes flashing with panic.
“It’s not?” I taunted her, our faces so close, I could kiss her if I wanted. “You’re not thinking about what might happen if I came by and your daddy wasn’t home?”
“Mo-Monopoly?” she sputtered.
Her eyes were wide, pupils blown as I put that thought in her head. I wasn’t sure what she exactly imagined, but it had her face turning bright red and her eyes shooting away from mine to hide her embarrassment.
“I could get down with some board games.” I winked, grinning brightly when she furiously struggled to escape her flustered state.
“Quinn!”
I quickly stepped back from the girl and looked around. It took me seconds to recognize Olivia’s tone. Although I spotted my friend, it was hilarious to see Quinntessa’s alert face, also waiting to be spoken to.
Sometimes, I forgot we had the same nickname.
Olivia’s long legs skipped over to us from across the parking lot. She took a quick look over her shoulder and pouted as Erica’s black car sped away.
“Sorry, I needed a ride home.” She turned back to us and paused. Her smile curled suspiciously as she looked between both of us. “Soooo, how are you two? Friendly? Very friendly?”
“We’re somewhat friends.”
My heart raced as Quinntessa met my eyes.
“I-I mean, friendly? We talk. Sorta,” she murmured, looking down and toying with the scarf she had looped through her belt loops. How adorable. Her eyes flickered up to mine a second time before looking away and blushing. “We’re just?—”
“Friends.” I crossed my arms and smirked when she blushed deeper. “Liv, this is Quinntessa Dawson. She’s going to be a football player.”
“That’s instantly hot.” Olivia giggled.
Quinntessa shook Olivia’s hand and laughed shyly.
“Thanks.” She smiled.
My heart swelled when she looked to me for reassurance.
I knew she wasn’t much of a people person.
I’d learned a lot about her—not only from sneaking around her house, snooping through her car, and stealing what her father gave to the school as records, but by observing her interactions with people.
Quinntessa was frightened by too much social interaction.
She’d rather hide away with her nose in a book.
Seeing her look to me for reassurance meant something.
I wish it hadn’t had such an effect on me.
Then, maybe every time I looked at that heart necklace around her throat, I wouldn’t think about the day things had to end.
Then I could do what I wasn’t strong enough to do myself: save her from this world.
“Are you two busy?”
I had forgotten Olivia was standing there. My eyes were so focused on the glitter that dusted Quinntessa’s freckles, I missed my friend’s anxious swaying.
“I can find another ride,” Olivia insisted.
I quickly stepped back from Quinntessa and grabbed Olivia’s hand. “No. You’ll ride with me.”
“Perfect.” Olivia kissed my cheek and tossed Quinntessa a smile. “Bye, Quinn Two!”
I snickered as Quinntessa rolled her eyes and smiled.
“Bye, Olivia.” She paused, her eyes meeting mine as I handed Olivia my bike helmet. “Bye, Battles.”
“Bye, sweet girl.” I winked at her. “Keep dreaming of me.”
Quinntessa bit back a smile and quickly turned around to get into her car. I bet she hoped I hadn’t seen her reaction.
I turned back to my bike as the blue Mustang backed out and turned toward the exit. I rolled my eyes at her nervous, jerky driving and waited for Olivia to finish buckling the helmet.
“You like her!” Olivia teased, poking my warm cheek. “You should ask her out, take her on a date.”
“You should stay out of my business.” I rolled my eyes and climbed onto my bike. I patted the back of my seat and waited for Olivia to wrap her arms around me. “Erica’s?”
“She left me. Do you think she still wants me to come over?” Olivia asked, her chin on my shoulder.
I pushed off lightly with my feet and chuckled.
“I’d bet money on it,” I told her, looking for any cars before starting off through the parking lot.