Serena’s laughter bubbles out of her, filling the room with its melodious notes and becoming in sync with the rap song playing in the background. “I can’t believe it either,” she says.
My jaw clenches as I’m trying to hide the growing jealousy that’s taking a toll on me knowing another guy is making her laugh. Why is she so goddamn comfortable around him?
I clamp a hand on Travis’ shoulder a little too tight for comfort. “What are we laughing about?”
“Hey, bro.” Travis greets back with a nod but little does he know that I’m feeling so friendly right now.
Serena chimes, “Hey, Ty.”
“Hey,babe.” Without breaking eye contact, I slip an arm around her waist and gently pull her close. Her eyes widen slightly in surprise, but she doesn’t pull away.
Priya doesn’t bother to participate in the conversation, she takes a longing sip before getting up from the couch. “I’m gonna say hi to my other cousins on the deck. Find me later, Ser.”
“Yeah, for sure,” Serena calls after Priya as she walks away. Then, turning back to me, she tilts her head with confusion clouding her face. “What’s up?”
“Wanna grab another drink with me?” I step in front of Serena and gently pull her up to a standing position so we can get the fuck away from Travis.
“Uh, sure.” She turns to Travis, “See you in class.”
Class? Part of me wants to email the school and ask for a schedule change now.
We grab another drink in the kitchen. Another water for me and Serena seems more comfortable drinking alcohol, since she pours a cup of jungle juice. She takes a long sip and wipes her lips clean with the juice spilling onto her chin.
“Careful, that’s a creeper drink.”
Serena arches a brow. “A what?”
“It sneaks up on you.”
Serena glances at me with a hint of annoyance in her eyes. “Thanks for the warning.”
“I’m looking out for you.”And I want to keep you to myself.
Serena rolls her eyes and pulls me over to a secluded hallway. We’re alone in the hallway, away from our peers. She removes her grasp from my wrist, leaving a burning feeling. “What was that?”
“What was what?” I play dumb.
“You were being a dick to Travis.” Serena scoffs and plants a hand on her hip. Serena’s a mere 5’3 to my 6’2 height but she looks so…cutebeing angry. “We just have AP Environmental Science together for starters, so quit acting like a jerk.”
Now it’s my turn to scoff. “I’m being a dick? You don’t even know him and you’re laughing at his jokes like he’s the funniest guy here.”
Travis’ humor is nonexistent. He’s not even that funny compared to me.
Serena closes her eyes for a second while rubbing her forehead. “What? Is laughing illegal?”
“You don’t know him.”
Serena narrows her eyes and then the energy shifts. Anger transitions into an unknown energy, mockery, as it flickers across her face. “You’re jealous.”
“Jealous?” I point to my chest. “Me?No.”
Serena steps closer to me and bursts out laughing like it’s the funniest shit in the world. “If the shoe fucking fits, then yeah, you’re jealous.”
I match her steps. “It’s not funny.”
“I’m laughing, so it must be.”
“Watch it.”
