“Sorry, but I’ve come down with a headache. Mum, Dad, do you mind if I head home?”
Before I can so much as push back my chair, Cressida is at my side. She brushes a strand of hair from my forehead, then lets her fingers linger on my cheek.
I flinch.
Her hands aren’t the ones I want. Her touch feels invasive.
“I’ll walk Sebastian home,” she says sweetly. “He shouldn’t go alone if he’s feeling unwell.”
“I’m fine.”
“Nonsense,” Mum cuts in. “It’s better if someone goes with you.”
Cressida loops her arm through mine just as the staff hands us our coats. Before I can protest, we’re already outside.
She lets out a breathy sigh. “Finally free of the old crowd. That headache excuse? Genius, Sebby…”
Sebby?
No one has ever called me that. Not even in nursery.
She’s already striding ahead, dragging me along like some reluctant accessory. I try to slow her down, keep my voice even.
“Cressida, I really do have a headache. I need to lie down.”
“Don’t be coy,” she purrs. “I know you faked the headache just to get some alone time.”
She pulls the pins from her hair and gives her head a shake, letting it fall in perfect waves around her face. Then she steps in, far too close.
“You’re gorgeous, Sebby. And if you’re half as good in bed as you look, this’ll be fun.”
Then, without warning, she licks my cheek.
What the actual fuck?
I recoil instinctively. My patience snaps.
“Are you completely insane?” I snap. “I’m not sleeping with you. Don’t ever touch me again. Is that clear?”
She freezes, stunned. Blinks at me like she’s been slapped.
“I thought you liked me… We don’t have to tell anyone. Our parents would be thrilled, anyway.”
“That’s not the point. Yes, you’re beautiful, but I’m not interested. I’m seeing someone. Someone I care about. And I want to do this properly.”
Her head tilts, eyes narrowing. “Do your parents know?”
“Not yet. But they will. And for the record, it’s not a girl.”
For a moment, there’s silence. Then a crooked smile breaks across her face.
“Knew it. Too handsome to be straight. Honestly, every time I really like someone, they end up being gay…”
She sighs. “Well, if you ever change your mind, I’m around.”
“Yeah, I got that.”
I can’t help laughing. She’s a menace, but undeniably a character.
