We continue to rock back and forth, our heavy breaths and whispered words carrying us through each thrust. Our eyes never leave each other’s, not until we both fall over the edge, crashing together until I collapse on his chest.
We lie like this for a while after we’re done, me on top of him, chest to chest.
“Sleep with me?”
Reality begins to sink in. I want to pull back and question everything until I convince myself this is wrong and run away. But I don’t.
Instead, we crawl under the blankets and with my head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around me, we fall into a peaceful sleep.
Twelve
Ivy
Adjusting my books in my arm, I knock my shoulder against my locker, shutting it behind me, heading to History. It’s my least favorite class of all, so I’m not in any hurry to get there.
My breath gets caught in my throat, startling me when I come face-to-face with Evan leaning against the burgundy lockers.
He flashes me a shy smile as I push the metal frames of my glasses up on my face.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s okay,” I reply nervously, “I didn’t see you coming is all.”
“You have Mr. Ferguson this hour, right?”
I’m surprised he even knows. I nod. “How’d you know?”
“I’ve been paying attention.” His smile widens.
I grin, heat flushing my face. I recover quickly, trying to hide my excitement. Evan has been talking to me more often lately. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think, but over the past few weeks, I’ve been developing feelings for him that are completely new to me. Butterflies in my stomach, shaky voice when I try to speak.
It’s like all thought is out the window when he’s around. I want to keep my wits about me because this boy sends me out of my mind with nerves.
“I’ll walk you.” He holds his hand out to lead the way.
Ducking my head down, I bite my lip to hide my grin once more. Every step we take, I’m hyperaware of each time his arm brushes mine.
“So, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about Homecoming next week. I was thinking.” He pauses. For a second, I notice the shell in his confident exterior break, realizing whatever he’s about to say is making him nervous, too. “If you don’t have anyone to go with, ya know, to the dance. I’d really like to take you.”
My eyes search the floor, shocked, before I glance up at Evan over the rim of my glasses. His dark hair and dark eyes looking so handsome. He stares back at me, eyes bouncing between mine down to my mouth, waiting for my response.
“Yes…” I breathe heavily. “Yes, I’d love to go to the dance with you.”
We approach Ferguson’s room just then and he stops, holding the door open to let me through. I cannot believe he asked me to the dance. I know we had been talking more lately, but I had no idea he had been interested in me. At least not in the same ways I was him.
“Great! I’ll catch up with you, and we’ll talk about all the details. See ya later, Ivy.”
I nod, watching when he turns to saunter away.
Turning to head into the classroom, I’m caught off guard when I see Brix Ward leaning against the wall outside the doorway.
He chuckles, looking at me and over to Evan, whose back is facing us, each step carrying him further and further down the hall.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He snickers again.
Rolling my eyes, I ignore him and focus on getting to my seat before class starts.