I’m still not over how they both just sat there and let her go off on me like that—and I don’t think I’ll ever be.
The Princess Diariesplays on the TV—one of my favorite comfort movies, and I have no shame about it. Watching Mia’s glow up never gets old. I love the moment everyone finally sees her—like she’s the most beautiful girl in their country. But my favorite part is whenshefinally sees herself and realizes she was beautiful all along—despite what everyone else thought.
My phone buzzes, his name flashing across my screen. My mind races, and I hate that I can’t control it.
Jacob: “You were hard to find… but I have a feeling you're worth it.”
The butterflies in my stomach go wild, they’re throwing a party I didn’t know I agreed to host.
Did he really look for me?The thought alone sends heat crawling up my skin.
Should I wait a few minutes before responding, so I don’t seem like I’ve been waiting for this moment—even though I have? Or should I just jump in and match his energy,pretending I’m not as mesmerized as I actually am? My thumbs hover above the screen, heartbeat matching the blinking cursor.
Me: “Guess you found what you were looking for.”
I hit send, then toss my phone like I’m not dying inside waiting for his response.
My heart pounds as the seconds drag.
Jacob: “I sure did. I haven’t stopped thinking about you all week—you’ve been stuck in my head.”
He’s been thinking about meall week? The butterflies in my stomach start raging forget throwing a party. He’s bold as hell, but I can’t even lie—I kind of like it.
Me: “All week, huh? That’s bold of you to admit, hopefully it’s good things. Didn’t realize I was taking up that much space in your head.”
Jacob: “Bold gets results, I’ll give you that. And yeah, I wouldn’t mind you living rent-free in my head more often. I keep picturing those curls wrapped around my knuckles.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes, feeling the heat rushing to my face.
Me: “I can’t wait to find out what that would result in.”
Jacob: “The kind that makes you mine for longer than just one night—if I do it right.”
Me: “Well I hope you know I’m going to hold you to that—can’t have you giving out false hopes already.”
Jacob: “One thing you should know about me is, I don’t talk about things I don’t plan on acting on. But I’ve got one more question for you before you fall asleep on me.”
Me: “And what’s that?”
Plus who said I was tired, any bit of sleepiness I hadvanishedthe second he messaged me.
Jacob: “When am I going to see you outside of school so I can show you I’m a man of my word?”
Me: “Is that your way of asking me out?”
Jacob: “We’ve gotta start somewhere, right, beautiful?”
I can’t stop picturing his soft lips on mine, his fingers tangled in my hair keeping good on his word.
Little does he know—I’ve been craving him since the day he demanded my attention.
Chapter Eight
Infatuated
I
t’s the middle of senior year, and Jacob and I have officially been dating for a month. Perfect timing, too, considering I don’t exactly have friends anymore—no lunch table gossip, no weekend hangouts, nothing.
