“Chrissy, wait up!” Theo calls after me and catches up in a few easy strides.
My eyes immediately fly to his mouth. What is wrong with me? Why can’t I stop thinking about last night?
Shaking my head like I’m trying to dislodge something stuck in my hair, I say, “I have to get to class.” Then I start walking away from him.
“Look,” he says, adjusting his backpack on one shoulder as he falls into step beside me. “If we’re going to do this whole living-together thing, maybe we should actually go to school together. Not with you racing ahead like I’ve got some contagious disease.”
A nervous laugh escapes me. My fingers twist the strap of my bag. “People will stare, Theo.”
“Let them,” he says with a casual shrug that I envy. “Come on, what do you say?”
My instincts scream to keep my distance, to protect my heart, but something else—something reckless and hopeful—makes me nod. “Fine. But don’t blame me when the rumor mill explodes.”
Going in through the main entrance with Theo by my side is so nerve wracking. My cheeks burn from all the unwanted attention. Does everyone know we live under the same roof now?
The hateful eyes of some of the girls as we pass by keep me on my toes. I tug at the hem of my sweater, desperate to make myself smaller under their scrutinizing gazes.
“Don’t worry,” Theo says. Although his warm smile comforts me, this is uncharted territory, and the spotlight feels foreign to me. “You look like you’re being marched to your execution.”
“Being seen with you is like landing on the front page of the Maplewood Springs Herald,” I whisper. “People will talk.”
He laughs, unfazed, like it’s just another normal day at school. “Let them talk. It’s not like we’re doing anything scandalous. We’re just walking to class.”
I keep my head down. “You don’t understand. Standing next to you feels like I’m a homing device for lasers shooting out of every girl’s eyes.”
Theo bursts into obnoxious laughter. “Your analogies are hysterical.”
“I’m serious—missiles, lasers, poisonous darts—their eyes are all those things. Can’t you walk ahead of me, please?” I slow my pace, and he does the same. Frustrating and endearing, simultaneously. Only he can make me feel this way.
He suddenly steps in front of me, and my temperature goes up. “If we live together, we can walk to school together. It’s not like we’re holding hands and declaring our undying love.”
I thought I’d developed a certain level of immunity to that swagger of his, but geez was I wrong. “You’re ridiculous,” I say, pretending not to be bothered.
“It’s part of my charm. But I’ll honor your request.” He smirks and walks away to join his teammates.
As always, Stephanie and Ian wait for me by the lockers.
“Looks like someone’s moving up in life,” Ian says, his eyebrows twitching up and down.
“Tell me all,” Stephanie demands, all giddy. “Did anything happen yet?”
“Nothing happened.”
Her eyes turn to probes. “Those rosy cheeks say otherwise. Go on, spill the tea.”
I glance around, ensuring no one’s listening, before leaning in close. “Well”—Stephanie’s eyes fly wide—“we almost kissed last night.” The words make a furnace out of me.
Her mouth drops, and she squeals andclaps. “Chrissy!”
I shoosh her. “I said we almost kissed, but I don’t know what to think of it yet.”
“What will you do if you get another chance?” she asks.
“Okay,” Ian says, holding up his hand in protest, “I’m not into horror stories, so excuse me if I don’t want to hear the gory details of your imagination. Catch you later.” He disappears into the hallway crowd.
“Forget him,” Stephanie says. “So, how did it start? Tell me everything.”
I give her a quick recap, to which she responds with an earnest hug and congratulations, then we head to first period.
