Page 111 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

“I’ll get it,” I tell him. I move my hand to his back, feel the top of his phone, and pull it out. “What should I text?”

“Tell him we got bored of the old people talk and decided to go to a party. And tell him we got a ride, so he doesn’t have to worry.”

“Old people talk?”

He shrugs. “He won’t suspect it’s a setup.”

“Okay.” After that’s done, I reach to slip his phone back into his pocket. It takes a few tries and I think I might have slapped his butt.

“Sorry!”

He just laughs. “All good.”

“It’s Declan,” Chase says. “He said he and Mia got bored of the old people talk and decided to go to a party. I’m telling you, kids are so rude these days.”

“Ah, let them be kids and have fun. I’m glad Declan is back in a school setting with kids his age. Doing online school is probably so lonely.”

“I guess I haven’t really thought about it. I think this break from Hollywood has been good for him, but let’s not talk about him behind his back.”

“You’re right,” she says. “Are you, uh, seeing anyone?”

“No. You?”

“No.”

This is the perfect opportunity for him to ask her out. But does he do it? No! And she could totally ask him out, too. But does she do it? No!

There’s still hope, though. The night is still young.

Declan and I are still pressed against each other, and his warmth is so comforting. Every time he moves his head, his cheek sweeps against my face. He’s taller than me, but is crouched a little because he needs to hide behind the plant.

The evening carries on and Chase and Miss Lane decide to leave. No one has asked the other one out and they depart as friends.

“Darn it,” I mutter. “Neither of them asked the other out.”

Declan frowns. “I don’t get it. They like each other. Why are they being so difficult?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they need more time? Maybe he’ll ask her out later?”

“Let’s hope so.”

We’re still wrapped in each other’s arms and neither of us makes a move to leave. He stares into my eyes and I stare into his emerald ones.

We must realize at the same time how weird this is and push away from each other. I must have used too much force because the plant falls over.

“No!” I gasp.

Like lightning, Declan’s arms shoot out and he catches the plant before it goes spat on the floor.

“Like a ninja,” he says, winking as he puts the plant back in its place.

I laugh. “My hero.”

He bows, or tries to. “You know it.”

We slide out from behind the plant and glance around. No one seems to notice us. Declan quickly puts on his sunglasses.

The place is filling up with kids, and if we don’t get our butts out of here, someone might recognize him.

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