When he finally joins us, Kylen tells them about our idea. They love it, too, and can’t wait to get started.
“Hold on. Raven needs to put the lyrics together,” Kylen tells them. “And we need to buy props and costumes.” He turns to me. “Want to go to the mall after school tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s make a list of things we’ll need.”
We spend a few minutes doing that, then their break is over and they resume practicing. I start rewriting the balcony scene to fit a music video.
I can’t help but smile with giddiness. This is going to be so much fun.
But the thing that has me most excited? Going shopping with Kylen tomorrow, just the two of us.
***
The time moves so slowly. It’s the last class of the day, but it feels like the first one. Kylen and I are going to the mall after school and I can’t wait any longer. It’s not the first time we’respending alone time together, but I feel like each time is better than the last.
I’ve thought aboutusa lot this past night as I lay in bed and I felt all gooey inside.
Kylen and the guys decided to cancel practice today so we can go to the mall. It works out for the best anyway, since Beck is swamped in homework and needs to catch up. Jasper and Leo are going to spend most of the afternoon in the rec room. I hope they challenge Richie and own him just like Kylen and I did.
The bell finally rings. I rush out of the room along with the other kids and nearly collide with Kylen, who’s waiting outside.
“Sorry!” I say.
He shrugs. “It’s okay. You’re not the only one who almost crashed into me.” He gestures toward the exit. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.”
We head for the doors.
Kylen shoves his hands into his pants pockets. “I meant to ask, are you okay with singing in public? You have a beautiful voice, Raven, but you told me the other day that you weren’t ready to share it with the world.”
“Wow. I totally didn’t consider that. I was so caught up in the excitement. Um…” I tuck some hair behind my ear. “I am nervous, but I also want to do it. The thought of it doesn’t make me want to run and hide.”
He smiles. “That’s great. You’ll totally steal the show.”
I snort. “Yeah, right. Sexy Romeo totally will.”
As soon as the words are out, my face and entire body feel like they fell into a furnace. Why couldn’t I keep that to myself?
We’re outside the building now and the strong winter wind does nothing to cool off my cheeks.
Kylen shakes his head. “The opposite. All eyes will be on the beautiful Juliet. And when she sings, she’ll sound like an angel.”
I gaze into his eyes as his words wrap around my heart. I don’t know how much time passes before the laughing and shouting of our fellow students breaks us from this trance.
Kylen smiles, motioning toward the parking lot. “Is it okay if we take my car?”
“That’s fine.”
Once we’re inside and he turns on the heating, he pulls out of the lot and drives toward the mall. He puts on music, then sings along with it. I listen to his beautiful voice before I find myself singing along with him. Then we make it our own, changing the lyrics a little and the beat of the song.
It’s so much fun letting loose and goofing off with him. I feel like I’m completely myself when we’re together. Even the love songs don’t make me feel weird. Okay, maybe a little, but it’s not that bad. And when Kylen smiles at me, his face shining, I can’t stop the butterflies from attacking my stomach from every corner.
I love this feeling. I wish we could stay in this bubble forever. But we unfortunately reach the mall and have to leave the car.
“That was fun,” Kylen says as he holds the door open for me.
