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“Still investigating that.”

Omar laughed, then did something terrible. He reached out and plucked a tiny piece of dried grass from my hair. That was it. Barely anything. His fingers never even touched my skin. Still, I forgot how to breathe.

“Grass,” he said.

“Oh.”

He showed it to me. “Evidence.”

“Burn it.”

He flicked it away and I looked towards the dining hall. Anywhere but at him. Omar didn’t push. Again. This was becoming a pattern.

“Alvin?” he said, while I was attempting to remember what air was supposed to feel like when it was in your lungs.

“Hmm?”

“For what it’s worth…”

I looked at him and his gaze dropped briefly towards the cheerleading outfit before returning to my face.

“I like this on you.”

I swallowed hard in the back of my throat. Trying to think of something to say. “I’m a virgin,” I blurted out, and Omar stared.

I closed my eyes. Jesus fucking Christ. Why? Why had THAT left my mouth?

When I peeked through my lashes, I saw that Omar was visibly fighting a smile.

“Okay. Cool,” he replied.

“Forget I said that.”

“Already forgotten.”

“You’re smiling.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Little bit.” Omar lifted a shoulder. “A cute boy is nervous around me.”

I covered my face. “This conversation needs to be euthanized.”

Omar laughed softly. “I’m not judging you.”

“That makes it worse.”

“How?”

“I don’t know.”

He waited.

My hands dropped, and I exhaled. “I’ve only ever…” I stopped and the teasing disappeared.

“Loved one person?” he filled in for me.