I don’t know how much time passes as we just stare at each other. But then Sophie pokes her elbow into my ribs, jostling me out of whatever trance I was in.
“Go say hi,” she hisses at me.
“What? Oh…right.”
I slide out of my chair and make my way to him, my heart rate spiking and pounding in my head. After all this time, I can’t believe my body still reacts to his close proximity. I tried so hard to avoid him all morning so I wouldn’t have to deal with the crazy emotions I know will ensue, but it looks like I have no choice but to make contact.
When he and I stand face to face, we once again just stare at each other. I knew he was good-looking when I peeked at him before math class, but he’s even more handsome up close. I still see the fifteen-year-old boy I met at camp, the boy who was so sweet and sensitive and kind. Or so I thought.
He rubs the back of his head before laughing sheepishly. “I guess I’ll be the first to break the awkward ice. Hey, Raven. It’s been a while. How are you?”
He sounds different, too. His voice is deeper and more mature. But it still carries the tone I’m used to.
I hug my upper arms as I force a smile, hoping my lips don’t shake. “Hi, Kylen. I’m good. I was surprised to see you here.”
“My old school burned down and they put me and three of my friends here.”
“I know. Principal Harrington announced it at the assembly.”
“Right.”
We’re engulfed in silence.
And even more silence.
When I glance at my friends and their boyfriends, I see that all six of their gazes are on us, full of curiosity. But when they catch me looking at them, they quickly twist away and start talking amongst themselves.
“Your friends, huh?” Kylen says, following my gaze.
“Yep.”
“The famous Sophie and Carly, the friends you made in ninth grade. I don’t know the other girl and the guys.”
“That’s Addie. We became friends with her a few months ago. And the guys are their boyfriends.”
“Theirboyfriends?” he asks.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He bounces on the heels of his feet, crossing his arms over his chest. “They seem cool.”
“They’re the best.”
He nods.
Quiet again.
“I remember Beckham,” I tell him, nodding to where Beckham sits with the other two guys a few tables away.
Kylen smiles crookedly. “Who could ever forget Beck? The other two are Leo and Jasper.”
My heart flutters in my chest as I take in that crooked smile. How many nights did I obsess over it at camp? I won’t admit it to anyone, but I wrote a song about his crooked smile. I stayed up all night composing it.
We stand in awkward silence again, our gazes veering away from each other and then meeting back up a few seconds later, only to look away again.
“So I guess I’ll, um…” I gesture to my table, where my untouched food sits on my tray.
He nods, stepping back. “Yeah, me too. I heard the food here is awesome.”
