His face.
Sharp jaw.
Green eyes that looked as if they saw everything.
The way his hair always fell a little messily across his forehead, as if it refused to be tamed. And that quiet expression he wore when he was focused, the one that made the air around him feel… still.
He’s pretty.
The thought hit me before I could stop it, and my cheeks burned again.
God, I was hopeless.
“Stop it,” I muttered under my breath, hiding my face in Honey’s fur again. “He’s…he’s just Joshua.”
Honey purred louder, as if she didn’t believe me for a second.
—
And it was fair.
Because the next morning I got out of bed extra early, dug through my closet like my life depended on it and now—
Now I was standing in front of the mirror wearing something I wouldn’t even consider.
A white skirt that looked almost like Aly’s tennis skirt. White socks that went halfway up my legs, with little ribbons on the side. Black Mary Jane shoes with a small heel, elegant, grown-up, not too much. A white shirt, crisp, and over it, a cream vest that looked like it belonged in a fairytale library.
I even wore makeup.
God, Iworemakeup today.What is wrong with me? Why am I doing this?
Concealer was dabbed under my eyes, on my cheeks. Then blush, the part I had to redo the most, because the first time I thought it was too much, but then I ended up wiping too much off, so I had to go in again.
Yeah, it was a lot of work. Then mascara, which changed my eyes completely but in a good way, I thought. Lip tint last, dabbing it with my finger instead of applying it fully.
I stared at the reflection of myself again, tilting my head slightly, fingers brushing the hem of my skirt that reached my fingertips.
“Not bad,” I whispered to myself.
And somewhere, in the back of my head, I couldn’t stop wondering—
Would he notice?
—
The morning air nipped at my cheeks as I stepped through the Silverwood gates. I adjusted the strap of my bag, tugged at the hem of my skirt, and told myself to breathe. It was just clothes. Just makeup. Just—
“OH. MY. GOD!”
I barely made it three steps before Aly’s voice shot through the courtyard like a siren. Then came Jennie, right behind her, practically tripping over her own shoes.
“RORA!” Jennie gasped, eyes wide, clutching her chest. “Who are you and what have you done with our quiet little library angel?!”
Layla looked at me from head to toe, lip parted. “You are absolutely gorgeous, like a walking Pinterest board kind of gorgeous”
“Everyone?” Aly said dramatically. “Please, she’s gonna end the entire male population here.”
Jennie nodded solemnly, pretending to fan herself. “Moment of silence for all the poor boys who won’t survive this outfit.”
