“What news?” Claire asks.
“We made the all-state team. Second team.” He points a thumb between him and Austin. “And Vaughn was on first team, of course. Would have been MVP if we’d won.”
Vaughn sneaks a glance at me and his cheeks take on a slight pink.
“No way! Congratulations!” Claire launches herself at Austin. She sits in his lap, hugging him around the neck. She holds up one hand to high-five Rowan and then Vaughn.
“That’s incredible.” I stand there, unmoving, not sure what to do, but then my manners kick in. This is a big deal, and these guys are my friends. I step over to Rowan and lean down to give him a small hug. “Congrats.”
“Thanks, Lace.”
Austin holds up his hand in a fist and we bump knuckles. “Congrats, New Guy.”
“Ended the season with honors for the school, and I’m still just the new guy.”
“Not just the new guy. My favorite new guy in the entire school.”
Everyone laughs, and Austin shakes his head.
“I guess that’s something,” he says.
Then I glance at Vaughn. We both hesitate and then move at the same time.
“Congratulations.” I wrap one arm around his back and his goes around my waist. His familiar scent makes my stomach flip.
When I step back, his hand lingers at my waist. “Thanks, Lacey.”
High School Bucket List
Make a high school memory box?
Go apple picking?
Get a piercing?
Watch the sunrise from the fifty-yard line on the football field
Learn the “Thriller” dance!
Go on a double date?
Stay up all night
Volunteer
Travel internationally
Kiss someone under the stars?
Do something scary?
Go to the homecoming dance with a date
Go ice-skating?
Have a photo shoot with friends
Go skinny-dipping
