I nod.
He steps back. “About your song. We’re sorry we took it without your permission. We found it in the garbage and asked around for the writer. We even hung posters. But you never claimed it, so we figured we could take it.”
My eyebrows fly up. “It was in the garbage? How did it end up there?”
“I guess someone must have found it on the floor or something and thought it was trash. But it’s not trash. It’s the best song I’ve ever read. Like super amazing.”
My cheeks warm up. “Thanks.”
He smiles. “Of course. How do you feel about the guys and me singing it? If you’re not cool with it, we understand.”
I’m quiet as I think it over. “I’m not really sure how I feel about it. No one has ever heard my songs before. I need time to think about it.”
He nods. “Take as long as you need. We won’t sing it anymore.”
“Thanks.”
He dips his head. “No problem. I’ll return the song to you tomorrow. Good night, Raven.”
“Good night, Kylen.”
He smiles one more time before walking out.
I close the door after him and press my back to it. What just happened? I feel like I’m in a dream. I can’t count how many times I’d lie in bed imagining a scenario similar to this, but I never thought it would actually happen. I genuinely thought Kylen ran away because he didn’t have feelings for me, but it turns out he did. He felt just as strongly for me as I felt for him. All this time…such wasted emotions. Such a wasted opportunity. He and I could have been…
There’s no point in wondering about what could have been. For whatever reason, things turned out the way they did. I don’t know what lies in store for us, but I’m not going to dream and hope for things to turn out a certain way. The only thing I can do is be kind to him and take it one day at a time. Whatever is meant to happen will happen.
Grabbing my phone, I ask my friends to meet me in my room. They all arrive at different times, and when we’re all finally together, sitting on both Sophie and my beds, I tell them what happened this afternoon.
Carly jumps to her feet. “Wait, wait, wait. Are my ears hearing correctly? You and Kylen are friends?”
“Yeah,” I say with a small smile. “It was all a misunderstanding. Beck and Kylen explained it all. I still can’t believe it.”
“So…there’s still hope,” Addie says, her face the brightest I’ve ever seen.
“I don’t want to think about that, Addie. There are so many emotions involved and we need to heal. For now, I’m glad to be Kylen’s friend again.”
“That’s good,” Sophie says, trying to sound neutral. But there’s no mistaking the excitement in her voice. I know what they’re all thinking, but like I said, I don’t want to hope and dream for anything. I just want to live my life as best as I can.
“This is really exciting news,” Carly says. “I’m so happy for you and Kylen, Raven. I think you guys really needed this.”
“Thanks.”
Addie raises her hand. “I have a question.”
“Okay,” I tell her.
“I couldn’t ask before because I didn’t want to hurt you, but why did you name your song, ‘I Don’t Need Your Kisses?’ Did you and Kylen…” She presses her fingers together, depicting two people kissing.
With a laugh, I say, “Yes, we did. At the dance at camp.”
“Oh my gosh!” Carly yells.
“I knew it!” Sophie practically dances around the room. “He’s a good kisser, isn’t he? He looks like he’s a good kisser. I bet you had the best kisses in the world.”
“Maybe,” I say with a giggle.
“I need to know all the details about the romantic dance.” Addie plops down near me on the bed. “Tell us every detail and don’t hold back.”
