My smile drops. “Different?”
“Yeah, the green dress, it’s different…”
I turn away from him. Tears sting the backs of my eyes and threaten to fall. I refuse to let him see, so I start walking towards the school.
“Wait up! Why are you walking so fast?” he shouts, jogging to keep pace with my quick steps.
I pick up a little speed. “I don’t want to keep Brantley waiting,” I say and continue on. Aussy’s steps slow, and he walks a short distance behind me the rest of the way to the gymnasium.
When we arrive at the school, kids are showing up with their friends, and most students are already inside, dancing or hanging out near the punch bowl. I scour the crowd of people looking for Brantley, but he’s nowhere to be found.
Maybe he’s just running late.
I wrap my arms around my body in a self-embrace. Austin walks up behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder to get my attention.
“Do you want me to wait with you?” he asks, his voice soft and caring.
“It’s okay, I’m sure he won’t be long. I’ll just sit on the bench for a few minutes and wait,” I say, walking over to thebench and lowering myself down to sit. My stomach is doing flips, and I’m embarrassed that this is happening.
Austin walks over and plops down on the bench beside me. His knee nudges mine, and I look up to see a soft smile on his face in a comforting way of saying he’s there.
“You look nice tonight. That’s what I had meant to say earlier. Different, and nice,” he says, just above a whisper. Heat creeps into my cheeks, and I break away from his stare, unable to suppress the slow smile that comes to my lips.
“Thanks, Aussy, you do too,” I manage to get out, and his smile grows. I’d give anything to have him smile at me like this forever.
After waiting outside for what feels like an eternity, I accept that Brantley really isn’t coming. He stood me up.
“Okay.” I sigh and turn myself towards Aussy. “Looks like you’re stuck with me after all,” I tell him. His smile widens, and there’s a twinkle in his eyes.
“I’m neverstuckwith you, Vix,” he tells me. “I wouldn’t want to be at this stupid thing with anyone else,” he says, standing up and holding out his hand. “Shall we?” he asks, and warmth blooms in my heart.
“We shall!” I jump up, taking his hand in mine, and we make our way to the gymnasium.
Disco lights flasharound the gym as our peers dance and huddle with their friends. Everyone looks like they’re having a great time, but I can’t help but notice how a few heads turn my way as soon as I enter the room. Some turn away, snickering to a friend, while others blatantly stare—smiling and making me feel as if I have the word LOSER written across my forehead.
“Ignore them,” Aussy says, his jaw tense with frustration at how people are acting around us.
“Let’s just go get some punch,” I tell him, and take his arm, leading him to the beverage table.
The song changes to something slow, and we watch the groups of friends begin to break apart. Some are going to sit on the bleachers, hoping someone will ask them to dance, and a brave few are coupling up for the song. My cup is half lifted to my lips when I stop and see why I’ve earned so much attention tonight. Brantley Jackson, dancing with… Bethany Sanders.Of course. I feel so stupid. I set down my cup and hastily make my way towards the exit, wanting to get the hell out of here as fast as possible. Just as I’m about to walk out the door, a gentle hand grabs my arm. I turn around to see Aussy looking at me with sadness in his eyes.
“Don’t leave, Mavix, not because of him,” he pleads. “Dance with me.” His eyes hold so much warmth. I exhale a deep breath and take his hand, my anger melting away. I nod my head, letting him lead me back inside. As we reach the dance floor, the song comes to an end. The music shifts to something with a fast tempo, and disappointment washes over me as I watch students crowd the floor once again.
“I’m going to get that dance eventually,” Aussy promises.
“I’m looking forward to that.” I grin, and we go back to the punch bowl.
SEVEN
VIX - PRESENT
His hand is wrappedaround my waist, holding me close as we sway to the song’s rhythm. The heat from his touch is enough to set my skin on fire, the look in his eyes so mesmerizing I can’t look away. This feels so intimate, so sensual, so right and wrong at the same time.
“I’ve always wanted to know what it would be like…” he says, eyes blazing into mine.
“What?” I manage to reply softly. He dips his head lower, coming down to my level. He brushes his lips against mine. Just a whisper of a touch, almost as if it didn’t happen at all. Pulling back, he meets my gaze, waiting for me to make the next move. I react quickly, no hesitation, crashing my lips into his. Our kiss is rough, deliberate, and wanting. Our mouths explore one another’s, desperate to taste each other for the first time.
My hands find his hair, his unruly waves wrapping around my fingers. We have forgotten where we are, utterly unaware of the other people on the dance floor.
