“Jamie, instead of standing in line, why don’t we go to the target practice?” squawked Taylor.
“Do you want to play against each other?” suggested James to the blond.
“No, that wouldn’t be romantic. And besides, you know that I’ve been going to the shooting range since I was ten. You have no way out with me,” she retorted. “I wanna be the one to win a teddy bear for you, Jamie.”
She said that making a mess of his hair like he was a little kid.
“How about you, White?” she called before heading out.
“What?”
“Go on, I dare you.” Taylor taunted.
“I don’t think she knows how to hold a fucking thing in her hand, let alone a fake gun,” murmured James, making her laugh.
I hated him. Why did he have to always make fun of me in front of his friends, but when we were alone . . . No, he was just teasing, nothing else. I was about to turn down that terrible idea, when Jackson came to my rescue.
“I wanna see what you two can do,” he groused at James and Taylor. “I’ll give June a hand. Challenge accepted.”
“I’m gonna get a drink with Marvin, and I’ll join you,” whispered Will, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
We weren’t the type to pack on the PDA, but Will seemed much colder than usual. I could’ve spent the night wondering what I’d done to piss him off, but honestly, I preferred to follow Jackson and teach Barbie and Ken a lesson.
Will and Marvin disappeared into the building while Jackson and I followed the power couple of the year. James really was a weird guy. He was affectionate with girls but he had no loyalty. He was with Tiffany when he came to my house and now he was with Taylor. He put his arm around her shoulders and every once in a while ran his ring-clad fingers through her silky hair.
We reached the target tent, and my journey to making the biggest gaffe of the century had begun.
Taylor shot really well even though she didn’t have a gun license. I, on the other hand, had the aim of a blind animal. I didn’t even hit half a can.
At some point I started to sweat and had to tie my hoodie around my waist.
When Jackson understood the gravity of the situation, he came closer to me.
“Fuck, White, you’re pathetic. Okay, so listen,” he said, coming near my ear.
“What?”
“I’ll show you. Hold it up more.”
He put one hand on mine, showing me how to hold the gun.
His soft cheek almost grazed my temple, and when I looked to the side, my eyes inevitably drifted to his full, pierced lip.
I understood why all the girls at school liked him, but I still didn’t really understand if he cared or not.
“You have to hold it like this, so your grip doesn’t shake as much.”
I heard a cough.
James was leaning on the counter, gazing at us furtively.
“Are you done?”
Jackson sneered at his friend’s reaction, then came closer to me again.
“You’re about to see—” he whispered, sending a chill down my spine.
He brought his face next to mine, and I felt his warm breath on my neck.
