Page 62 of First Echo
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," she challenged, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
"What about you?" I asked. "Any embarrassing secrets the school queen bee doesn't want getting out?"
She was quiet for a moment. "I can't snap my fingers."
"What? How is that possible?"
"I don't know! I just... can't. My thumb doesn't work that way or something."
"Show me," I demanded, suddenly needing to see this ridiculous flaw in her otherwise perfect persona.
"It's dark, genius."
"Hold on." I reached over to the nightstand and switched on the small lamp. Soft golden light spilled across her face, catching in her hair, illuminating her features in a way that made my breath catch. She squinted slightly against the sudden brightness, her eyes meeting mine with unexpected vulnerability.
"Go on," I prompted, trying to ignore the strange flutter in my chest. "Let's see this tragic disability."
She rolled her eyes but held up her hand, making a pitiful attempt at snapping her fingers. Her thumb and middle finger just sort of slid past each other with a sad little friction sound.
"That's the most pathetic thing I've ever seen," I said, failing to hold back my laughter.
"It's not funny!" she protested, but she was laughing too. "Julian used to torture me about it."
"Poor little rich girl," I teased. "Couldn't snap along with the cool kids."
She swatted at my arm. "Shut up. At least I can whistle."
"Who says I can't whistle?"
"Can you?"
I pursed my lips and blew, producing a perfect, clear note.
"Show-off," she muttered.
“My turn again. What’s your middle name?" she asked, the question coming seemingly out of nowhere.
“Don’t have one."
"Youdon'thave a middle name?" Her voice rose in surprise, her eyes widening. The lamplight caught the blue in them, turning them almost silver at the edges.
"Nope."
"That feels illegal."
"Do you?" I countered, trying not to stare at the way the light played across her features.
"MadelineGraceHayes." She said it with a flourish, like it was something precious.
"That's kind of pretty," I admitted, the words coming out softer than I intended.
"Kind of?" she said, indignant, propping herself up on one elbow to look down at me. "Rude."
"Okay, it's very pretty," I conceded, suddenly aware of how close her face was to mine. "There. Satisfied?"
She smiled, triumphant, and for a moment we just looked at each other, something unspoken passing between us. I could see the flecks of darker blue in her eyes, the slight curve of her lips, the strand of blonde hair that had fallen across her cheek. I hadthe sudden, irrational urge to reach up and tuck it behind her ear.
