10
Ihadn’t known what to expect when I arrived at the youth center. When I’d first looked up the address, I’d realized it was in one of the rougher parts of town. It had made me nervous, wondering what I was getting myself into.
But when I got there, I saw busy sidewalks, moms and dads with kids in strollers and a few of the elderly doing their grocery shopping at local fresh food markets. There were even a few cute cupcake shops and hipster cafes lining the streets.
Some of the alleyways were strewn with a bit of trash and tagged with graffiti, but for the most part, the area seemed to be gentrifying. I didn’t feel unsafe at all. I supposed one of Everly’s friends would never have asked me to volunteer here if the place were really sketchy. With my boyishly slim figure and barely topping five foot three, I doubted I looked like I could hold my own in a truly tough neighborhood.
I only had to hold my own against a horde of rambunctious preteens.
Cerise said they were good kids, but even good kids could be wild balls of pure energy. As the leader of Cherry Lips, she was used to dealing with her own rowdy group, so the kids here probably didn’t faze her, especially when she was friends with someone like Seth.
I paused, my thoughts screeching to a halt.
I’d been trying to put Seth out of my mind for a week. It hadn’t worked. Barely a minute went by without something triggering my memory of that evening. My face still flamed every time I thought about it.
Sure, I’d been drinking, but I definitely hadn’t been drunk enough to excuse my behavior. I’d been upset after what my sister had said so I’d jumped Seth and plastered my lips to his with barely a moment of thought.
And he’d rejected me.
A swirling mass of embarrassment sat like a lump in my chest. Of course he’d reject me. Seth had his pick of girls. And I was just his friend’s little sister, that nerdy little bookworm he’d watched grow up. Someone like him would never be into someone like me.
I liked Seth. At that party, for a second, I’d thought maybe there was something between us. The way he’d looked at me, heat in his eyes…
But I’d been mistaken.
I’d never been so worked up over a guy before. I’d barely had any interest in dating. My schoolwork was always more important. We never had much money growing up, so I needed to make sure I got enough scholarships to pay for college.
Focusing all my attention on grades had paid off. I was attending a highly regarded school with my first few semesters paid for. All I had to do was keep it up. I didn’t have time to obsess over a guy, especially when I knew I had no chance.
I had to get my head on straight.
With a determined stride, I walked up to the youth center. The front doors were plastered with flyers for various activities in the community, like fundraising events and local music shows. I pulled on the handle and swung it open.
I stopped in the doorway.
Seth was standing in the middle of the foyer.
He was talking with a pretty brunette, that usual cheery grin on his face. His hands waved in the air as he emphasized his words. The woman laughed and shook her head at him. He only became more animated, green eyes bright and insistent.
The curve of those lips, spread wide from ear to ear, sent my heart pounding. Auburn strands fell over his forehead as he gestured wildly. I got the sudden urge to run my hands through his hair, to push it back and fully reveal his handsome face.
I squashed the urge, heat flooding my cheeks as I was thrown off my guard. Why was Seth here? I hadn’t expected to see him again — not for a while, at least.
After what had happened, I’d assumed our study dates were cancelled. I’d hoped to at least put enough space between us that I wouldn’t feel as ashamed and awkward the next time we ran into each other. But there he was, only a few dozen feet away from me.
My throat closed up. I wanted to turn on my heel and run away, just like I had at that party. But I’d promised Cerise I would help out. I couldn’t walk away from that obligation.
Inhaling deeply to steel myself, I strode though the doorway.
I’d have to face Seth sooner or later, anyway. Might as well get it over with.
Seth and the woman turned their heads to me. Her face lit up with a smile. Seth’s grin froze on his lips, eyes alarmed. I wanted to sink into the floor.
“You must be Abby,” the woman said, reaching her hand out to shake mine. “Thank you so much for volunteering your time. I really appreciate it.”
I tried to give a firm shake back, but my hands were limp and clammy from nerves. I could feel Seth’s eyes burning into me.
“I’m Jessie,” she continued. “I’m the one who will be giving your orientation.”
