“Just a question,” he prefaced with palms outstretched, trying to diffuse the situation before it escalated. “Unlike jackass over there, I understand what ‘no’ means.”
Since we were apparently dating, spending time with Elliot might be the best way to steer clear of Ryan. Plus, it would give me a much-needed break from the endless chatter of my oh-so-dear friend, Meredith Sawyer.But what would that do to my reputation?When I raised my head, I caught a few fleeting looks of disapproval being cast in our direction, most likely contemplating why two people from completely different social circles were spending time together. It was aggravating enough trying to pretend to be someone I wasn’t, but to also be forced to listen to dozens of people weigh in on my shit-show of a life had me seeing red. Everyone thought they knew me.Maybe that’s why the outcasts avoided me like the plague.
There had always been this preconceived notion attached to my name. Clarke Taylor—the popular, egotistical, selfish cheerleader who was nothing more than a high-maintenance bitch.
It was time to prove them wrong.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
The confusion on Elliot’s face morphed into something unreadable. Before I could ask what was on his mind, his expression shifted to a smug look of satisfaction. He held his hand out, offering it for me to take.God, of all the people to save me from Ryan, why did it have to be Abercrombie?
As we stepped onto the dance floor, I trailed behind him slightly, my eyes tracing up and down his figure. He was wearing a deep burgundy button-up shirt with the sleeves cuffed midway around his forearm. His slacks fit like they were tailored perfectly to his body.
When he turned around to face me, I noticed a silver chain around his neck akin to the rings on his fingers. My teeth grazed my lower lip.I guess I could’ve done worse in the fake-boyfriend department.
Elliot pulled me close, his hands gripping my hips.
Soft tremors rippled in my chest. I rested my arms on his shoulders as I buried my face into his chest, inhaling the scent of his mahogany and amber-infused cologne.
We gently swayed back and forth. I could feel dozens of eyes burning a hole in the side of my head, but I didn’t care.Or at least I was trying not to.
Elliot’s heartbeat synced to the rhythm of the music, flooding my system with ease. My eyes flitted upward as I met Elliot’s unwavering gaze. Seeing him from this angle felt so much more intimidating.
“You’re so tall.”
“You’re so short.”
“You smell good.”
“So do you.” He laughed.
My eyes connected with a few people surrounding us. “Do you think I’ll win Homecoming Queen?”
“I do,” he said with a nod. “Do you think I’ll win Homecoming King?”
My lips curled into a smile. “Idiot.”
I laid my head back down on Elliot’s chest as the familiar fluttering that had seemed to make itself a home inside my ribcage fired up once again. His hand tightened around my waist.
“You’re shivering,” he said breathlessly.
“Just nervous.”
“You nervous? Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Shut up.”
Our heads flung to the side as Meredith’s voice blared over the microphone, causing us to abruptly pull apart.
“Honey Bees, hope you are all having an out-of-this-world, spectacular night. I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone on the Homecoming committee who helped me prepare for tonight.” Her shrill voice cut through the music like a knife. “Anyways, I won’t make you guys wait any longer because it’s finally time to announce this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.”
I instinctively clutched Elliot’s hand as I stood paralyzed, waiting for my fate to be decided. Meredith held the microphone with her blood-red nails while smiling brightly at the crowd. She rambled on for a few sentences, gushing over the anonymous person chosen for Homecoming King before finally announcing who it was.I’ll give you one guess who won.
“Mason Garcia!”
