Page 7 of Charger

“You know, spying on someone is rude,” I say, resting my elbow on my window sill.

“Maybe you should try closing your blinds once in a while and stop giving your neighbors a view of your bedroom.”

I glare at him from across the way. I probably should, although the only neighbor my bedroom window is facing is Zach. So, concealing anything from anyone would be from him only. And I’m sure he’s seen me in my bra and underwear more times than he should have. The mere thought of it gets me excited, not embarrassed.

A woman yells in the background and Zach’s body visibly tenses, even from here.

“Was that your mom?”

“Yeah, she’s probably just mad because I hid the liquor bottles from her.”

“Why didn’t you just drain them and tell her she drank them all?” Unfortunately, his mom wouldn’t remember (or know the difference) anyway.

“Because I can’t let such valuable things go to waste, Specs.” He grins, but I roll my eyes, hoping he can see it from here.

“Right, it’s for all those wild parties you throw,” I say sarcastically.

“Hey, you don’t need a party to drink.”

I tousle my hair between my fingers. “I never really drink, except for some champagne mom and dad let me try on New Year’s once.”

“Ah, those virgin lips of yours.” The way he says it makes my body freeze. It feels almost like he is teasing me seductively. Is he flirting with me?

“Well, you’ll have to let me try some of yours then,” I retort, trying to salvage the conversation, but absolutely failing at it. This just became embarrassing really fast. Clearly, I don’t know how to flirt.

Crap.

Abort. Abort this conversation immediately, even though the so-called flirting has my heart pounding out of my chest. I’ve never flirted with a guy before. God, I’m so lame.

“Uh, yeah, Jules, I’ll let you have some of mine anytime you want.” His mouth turns up into a one-sided grin.

Oh my God! Dig a hole and bury me in it. I let out an awkward, fake laugh. “Okay, well, I better go because I have homework to do.”

That and some shoveling.

“See ya, Jules.” He lets out a small laugh.

I couldn’t hang up fast enough, slamming my window shut and closing my blinds. I press my cold, clammy hand on my warm cheek. That was not a conversation I expected to have with my best friend. The best friend I was crushing on so hard. Zach, who’s been taking up all my thoughts lately while causing my heart to beat uncontrollably. I’ve never felt this way about a boy, ever. I’m only seventeen, but most girls my age have already experienced so much with boys. Not me, I’m over here sketching in my notebook, dreaming about what it would be like to run my fingers through Zach’s hair, or trail them down his abs.

I bury my face in my hands. “God, this really sucks.”

THREE

Jules

“So, what time should we all meet up tonight and who’s driving?” Lisa tosses a fry into her mouth.

“I’ll drive, because Romeo over here is taking Sam.” Garrett hooks a thumb toward Zach, who’s sitting at our cafeteria table with Sam on his lap. She lets out a giggle after sucking his face off. I’m glad to see they came up for air, because I was worried that she might be suffocating him to death. I am well aware I’ve been giving them weird looks, but I can’t help myself. It does something to me—the sight of her long Barbie hair that’s curled down her shoulders twirling between Zach’s fingers. Maybe if he pulls hard enough, he’ll yank the clip-on extensions out. Do I wish that was me sitting on his lap, his fingers twirling my hair? Yes, yes, I do.

Ugh.

“God, get a room already.” Those words slip out faster than I can catch them.

Lisa stops midair with a fry dangling in front of her mouth. My brother is laughing, Samantha is shooting daggers at me, and Zach is grinning—a twinkle in his eyes from the slight jealousy that overcame me.

“I’m sorry. Is this bothering you?” Sam snaps her attitude at me.

“No, not really bothering me as much as making me want to throw up the lunch I just ate.” I honestly hate her and, knowing that Zach deserves better, I can’t help the fact that she gets under my skin.

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