Mr. Lewis claps. We’re only the second team to present, but he didn’t clap for the first team. Does that mean we got an A? From Kylen’s crooked smile, I know he believes so.
“That was very entertaining, Mr. Barrett and Miss Mitchell. Well done.”
Kylen and I beam at each other.
“And I’m impressed with the details you added to the Globe Theatre. Do you mind if it remains in the classroom for others to appreciate?”
Kylen and I nod. “Of course,” I tell him.
We return to our seats, our hands so close I wish I could take hold of his and never let go. But I’m pretty sure we’ll get detention.
As the next group goes, Kylen bends close and says softly, “You did amazing.”
“So did you.”
He shakes his head. “The whole thing was your idea. So all the praise goes to you, my wonderfully amazing girlfriend.”
My cheeks grow warm. “You should get some of the praise, too. It was you who made sure to get the details of the theater right.”
“Hmm, maybe, but I’d rather praise you.”
“I’d rather kiss you, but I can’t.”
He chuckles. “Believe me, if I was able to, you’d be in my arms and I’d be hugging the juice out of you and kissing you like crazy.”
“If you’re juicing me, there won’t be any of me left.”
“Of course there will be. You’ll never run out of amazing Raven juice.”
I laugh. “Dork.”
He just beams.
We decide to keep quiet because we don’t want Mr. Lewis to yell at us and because it’s rude to the other team. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until class is over.
The bell finally rings and we get to hold hands again as we walk through the halls. My friends, their boyfriends, and Kylen’s friends keep smiling every time they see us hand in hand.
We finish the rest of the school day, I watch the band practice the new song, and then Kylen and I walk around campus. It’s warmer today, so it’s actually nice outside. Many other couples or friends are strolling around, too.
We talk about everything on our minds. Sometimes we’re quiet and take in the world around us. After a short while, I stop walking and tug his hand, causing him to stop, too. “Can I show you something?”
“Of course you can.”
“It’s in my room.”
Sophie told me she’s hanging out with Damian after school, so we should have the room to ourselves for at least an hour or two.
Kylen seems excited and curious. He swings our interlocked hands, giving me sweet smiles that make butterflies flap around in my stomach.
It feels like forever until we make it to my room and enter. I gesture for Kylen to sit on Sophie’s bed while I grab my guitar and settle down on my bed.
“This is something I wrote at the lodge,” I tell him. “I hope you like it.”
“I definitely will.”
I thought I would be nervous, but the truth is I’m totally and completely one hundred percent calm and comfortable as I strum the chords. And when I start singing the lyrics, I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. The music and my voice touch every part of me. I shut my eyes for a bit, and when I open them, I notice he has this calm look on his face, like my music touches every part of him as well.
When I’m done, Kylen gapes at me.
