Just an inch.
Just one and we’d be kissing.
He leans forward again, our lips almost touch—
“Rise and shine, motherfuckers,” a masculine voice blurts.
It takes me a second to realize Finn and Dia just waltzed into the classroom. Xav and I back away from each other at the speed of light. Seriously, if there’s some sort of world record for quickest withdrawal from a kiss, we just beat it, but it’s no use.
They saw us.
At least, Finn did.
Dia came in a second too late.
“We interrupting something?” Finn doesn’t evenbother trying to conceal his smirk. I open my mouth, only to realize that I have no fucking clue how to answer his question.
Thankfully, Xavier takes one for the team and lets out a bored, “Nope” before rising to his feet. I blink at him, baffled by his carelessness. I’m a complete mess over here, and he’s just… okay?
Unaffected?
I hate boys.
“I’m guessing the cops are gone?” Xav drawls.
“Yep. Axel saw them pull out of the lot through the cafeteria window. We should get the fuck out of here, preferably before first period rolls around,” Finn jokes.
Dia pads toward me, holding out her hand and helping me to my feet. Her lipstick is smeared, her clothes wrinkled and her gorgeous black hair a wild, curly mess.
We were right.
They weren’t talking.
But she still looks… sad?
There’s this twinkle of pain flickering in the back of her eyes.
Are they back together?
My gut feeling says no.
My best friend tangles her arm with mine, setting out for the exit, and as we walk side by side, it registers that I almost kissed Xavier. I, Aveena Harper, almost kissed Xavier Emery, slash my secret pen pal, slash texting buddy, slash the guy who poured his heart out to me on a sticky note mere hours ago.
And the real kicker?
He wanted to kiss me, too.
* * *
The clock shows 4:05 a.m. by the time I garner the courage to text him.
It only took an hour of tossing and turning in bed, thirty minutes of trying to make peace with the fact that sleep would not be an option tonight, then another thirty wondering if it’d be okay for me to change my mind and unghost “Zac.”
Love:You still up?
The message doesn’t deliver for five minutes. And when it does deliver, it doesn’t get the “Read” receipt it usually does—not exactly a shocker. Xavier probably passed out as soon as he got home. I’ve just put my phone down, willing to give sleep another go when it vibrates on my desk.
Zac:Maybe.