“I don’t mean in passing. And I don’t mean Louis and Garrett. They don’t count.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, knowing she’s right. And it’s not just since I’ve been here. I’ve just never felt any kind of pull towards a guy. Not even a smidgen of attraction even though there have been plenty of attractive guys. Just not likethoseguys. Not like Ryder and Maddox.
Maybe my standards are too high.
“So, these guys came into the diner last night,” I start as I pick at the fuzzy on my blanket.
“I knew it! Were they hot?” She is practically bouncing. The mention of hot guys has her undivided attention, and the lack of sleep is long forgotten.
“They were so hot. Like – that kind of attractiveness should not be gifted to one person much less four.” I grin widely, remembering the reaction of half the diner. I was glad to know I wasn’t the only one affected by them.
“And? Did you talk to them? Did they ask you out?”
“Kind of. I had to say no, obviously, because of curfew. But they did give me their number.”
“EEEEAAAKKKK!” She squeals so loudly it leaves my ears ringing. “So, when are you calling them?”
I shake my head with a laugh. “I’m not.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because they are out of my league, Heidi.” I laugh again at the ridiculous idea.
“First, I doubt that, or you wouldn’t have gotten a number. Second, you do realize you’re hot right? I mean if I were into girls, I’d do you.” Her grin spreads wide as she waggles her perfectly manicured brows at me.
I do know that I’m pretty. I’ve been told most of my life I look like a fairy or sprite or whatever. Like Tinkerbell if her hair was the color of a penny instead of sunshine yellow. But there is a difference between tiny and cute andbombshell. Those guys seem like the bombshell type.
“You’d understand what I mean if you saw them. They belong on magazine covers with other beautiful people.”
“Whatever.” She waves me off. “I’m getting a shower, then I’m off in search of coffee. You coming?’
I nod with a stretch and yawn. It’s going to be a long day. “Caffeine will definitely be necessary,” I tell her as we head into our day.
Heaven
“That’s an interesting piece, Heaven,” Mrs. Taliaferro says as she stands behind, analyzingmy latest work. “The convergence with the two men is an interesting effect.”
“Thank you.” I nod with a tight smile. At least she didn’t comment on the fact that everything I’ve done the last two weeks has had the same two subjects. It’s like I’m obsessed.
I can’t help it. I can get them out of my head. Those sexy eyes, those mischievous smiles, and those accents. They’ve consumed me. Probably because I refuse to let myself do more than imagine them.
I haven’t used either number Ryder gave me. I won’t say I haven’t wanted to. I definitely have. But I’m convinced that they probably don’t even remember me. It’s obvious they could get any girl, and probably do on most nights. They’re charmers, if not players, and aren’t sitting around waiting on my call.
I don’t have time for guys anyway. I need to remember my goal. My goal that no one knows about but Delilah and Heidi. To get accepted into École des Beaux-Arts has been my dream since I first learned about the school when I was twelve. I can’t let anything get in the way of that.
The fact that, after a short interaction at the diner two weeks ago, I can’t stop thinking about them tells me all I need to know. They’re trouble.
I continue working on my composition, adding highlight and contrast, creating the illusion that the two boys are morphing into one person. Because in my dreams, that’s exactly what they’ve been doing. Five minutes isn’t long enough to fall in love, but it’s definitely long enough to develop a very unhealthy obsession.
Maybe it’s because I’ve never been attracted to anyone before. This would technically be my first crush. And, of course, I can’t crush on one boy for the first time. Nope. I go all out and crush on two.
When the class is over, Heidi is at the door waiting on me. “Lunch?” she asks as we begin walking with no clear direction.
I nod but don’t say anything. My head is wrapped up in sexy eyes and mischievous smirks. And blatant curiosity about the meaning behind a certain British boy’s words.
“Hello! Heaven! Are you even listening to me?” Heidi shoves me lightly, drawingme from my obsession.
“What?”
