“We need to talk,” he whispered to her as I turned away, unsure what to say.
I returned to my house to see Bailey in the doorway, his eyes meeting mine.
“Are you okay?”
I allowed him to wrap his arms around me as we walked back into the house.
“Let’s go to my room,” I mumbled, and he nodded. He was always calm when I needed him, and I was glad he was there. I lay on my bed, and he lay beside me, facing each other as our hands intertwined. We didn’t speak for a few minutes; we just gazed at each other.
“Did you know?” Bailey asked, and I filled him in on the brief conversation with Ray.
“You can’t help who you fall in love with,” he said as he looked at me meaningfully.
“You think she is in love with him?” I gasped, sitting up.
He laughed, lying back on my bed, lacing his hands behind his head against my floral pillowcase.
“It’s obvious. Did you see how they looked at each other? I’d say he loves her too.”
I blinked and considered his words.
“My best friend and my brother? Great, spare wheel, anyone?”
He frowned as he pointed at himself.
“What the fuck am I then?”
I chuckled, and he pulled me down next to him, my head resting on his chest as I heard his heart beating steadily.
“Why don’t we watch a film, you choose- and order some food?”
“Food again? We have just eaten.”
He looked at me blankly for a moment, then groaned.
“That was ages ago! I need to eat regularly.” He complained as he brought up the pizza app on his phone.
We made our way downstairs to find it empty as I looked through the DVDs.
“She’s All That?” I offer, and he grins boyishly.
“Yes—a cliche movie. Let’s do it. I’m ordering pizza. Did you wanna see if those two want any?” He pointed upwards as I shook my head.
“No, I bet they are busy….”
“Ah. Okay, I think I can cope with pizza and a movie with you. But tomorrow night....” He wiggles his eyebrows at me as I groan.
“The PJ party.”
He laughed as he pulled me towards him, kissing me softly.
“God, you are addictive,” he murmured as he kissed my lips again and again. I pulled him to the couch and smiled as he threw his arm around me. I let myself fall against his warm body, and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.
Seventeen
Party
Igazed at the girl looking back at me in the mirror with scrutiny. I wore a deep red vest over skin-tight jeans, tan boots grazing my thighs. My hair was loose, and my make-up was minimal—I had meant what I said about the ugly duckling to swan malarkey; I didn't intend to impress anyone tonight.
