One
Cupid
"I'm not sure what you're saying,” I stammered, licking my lips as his blue eyes crinkled in amusement.
"Sure, you do." The words rolled from his tongue casually as he rubbed his jaw. "I need you to convince her to come on a date with me. You are her best friend, after all."
I tried to swallow, my eyes darting around the crowded hallway, suspicious glances and curious whispers everywhere I looked. I mean, I was talking to the hottest guy in school, by many standards.
Bailey Fenton.
School dreamboat, star football player, blah blah. He was a walking cliche—those piercing eyes that made you practice your signature as his future wife with one smoldering glance, the deep sexy voice that commanded your attention. Not to mention the wavy chestnut hair that endlessly flopped in front of his eyes. He was surrounded by girls daily and had slept with most of them if the gossip was believed. Yet here he was, talking tomefor the first time in history. I stared down at my once sparkly Converse, ruined by the countless sprints across the muddy school field as I tried desperately to avoid being tardy.
"Anna?"
His voice made me jump, and he looked at me oddly, a mixture of pity and curiosity on his face.
I attempted to clear my throat, and all that came out was the sound of a frog being strangled as it gasped for breath. I closed my eyes as the mortification of the situation at hand filled me. Then, finally, I found my voice, determined to use it.
"It's Annabelle," I mumbled, "You want me to get Ray to go on a date with you?" I echoed his words as he observed me like I was fragile enough to shatter into a million pieces across the hall.
He nodded as though having a conversation with me was a feat.
"Yup. You got it." He winked at me, and against my will, my stomach flip-flopped, signaling to my brain to make me blush wildly.
Damn evolution.
"Bailey, no offense, but that won't happen. She's not interested." I smiled apologetically as I went to walk away.
"Look, Anna."
Was he deaf? I was sure I had said my name was Annabelle. I opened my mouth to correct him when he touched my arm softly, stopping me from moving away. His blue eyes had found mine again.
"This isn't something I've come across before. Ray intrigues me. Please say you'll try. For me?"
He ran his hand through that damn hair as I found myself gazing at him, wondering if it would feel as soft as it looked.
"You've never faced rejection?"
It was out before I could stop it; honestly, my mouth has a mind of its own–verbal diarrhea, my brother Elijah calls it.
Bailey scoffed, his chest almost puffing out with foolish pride.
"Would you say no to me?" He asked, stepping closer to me. His breath smelled of mint, yet it was nothing on the scent of his skin. Did they bottle this up?! It was addictive. My heart raced as I saw Ray walking towards us, a curious expression on her sun-kissed face.
"I'll have a word," I offered quietly as I pushed past him, his gaze shifting to Ray. I seized my opportunity to escape, latching my arm with Ray's as she nudged me, causing me to yelp when her elbow dug into my rib. Her deep brown eyes met mine as she hissed, "Bailey Fenton? Never had you down as a notch on his bedpost." She gave me a disapproving look as I opened my mouth to protest, then closed it again. "You're doing the fish thing, Annabelle."
"I'm not. I'm just in shock. Anyway, it wasn't about me."
I looked at her pointedly as she stared at me, realization dawning on her face.
"Oh,God. Tell me Bailey wasn't talking to you about me." She shook her head in disbelief as she slammed her locker door shut, her shiny black hair framing her face perfectly. She had exquisite features, and I hated her for it–all doe eyes and a full mouth, not to mention her curves. Also, her family was from all over the globe, a real melting pot of culture and beauty–you can imagine how I felt standing beside this goddess. I glanced down again at my nondescript self and sighed.
No wonder Bailey Fenton only wanted myhelp.
"I said I'd talk to you." My voice trailed off, and she folded her arms as she studied me intently, making me nervous under her gaze.
"Mylove. You know I would rather die than waste a second of my time with a boy like him." She wrinkled her nose up as she spoke. "He just wants it because he can't have it."
