Page 103 of Only With You

It’s not a question but a statement, and the realisation pulls a cheeky smile on her face.

“I wasn’t that desperate.”

After leaving the store empty-handed, I reached out to Leah, who I met through her twin brother, Eli, who’s on the football team. Leah’s a student at NCU, and on the side, she sells mugs and anything she can make out of clay.

She gives me a disbelieving look. “You texted me twelve times until I finally answered. That’s pretty desperate to me.”

“Only because you weren’t responding.”

“I was in class. It’s not my fault you waited until the last minute to reach out. Next time, give me a heads-up. At least a month in advance.”

My gaze once again strays to Julianna. She’s talking to Malik and the other guys. I’m sure they’re connecting the dots because they look at her costume, and then at mine. They smirk and carry on talking to the girls, but not once does Julianna look at me.

“Well, what do you think I’m doing now?”

“So, it’s serious then? You and blondie?”

“Don’t think too much into it. The mug was an apology.”

I should listen to myself, because I’ve thought more about it than I care to admit. I can’t begin to explain the odd desire I have to be around her, to touch her, to pull those soft, shy smiles from her.

“You’re right. There’s nothing to think about.” She tips her head, and when I look, something heavy lies on my chest and the bitter taste returns.

Finnick and his football friends surround Julianna and everyone else, but I can only focus on his arms as they snake around her. He hugs her, and when they pull apart, he still keeps an arm around her waist.

I drag my tongue along the top of my teeth and try to communicate with myself that I need to look away. But I do a pathetic job. My eyes stay glued on her, and when she flashes him one ofthosesmiles, it feels like I’ve been submerged in quicksand.

There’s an intense pressure in my chest and it…hurts.

When I finally rip my gaze away and meet Leah’s, she stares at me like she’s trying to figure out something.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “You’re stupid. Email me the details. I’m going to go find Nikki.”

I understand what she’s saying, but everything I feel is fueled by lust. That’s all.

Brushing my fingers along my chain, I tuck it into my shirt and tell myself that punching Finnick will do nothing but get me kicked out.

I make my way over as I tell myself to stand next to Jagger, because there’s no reason to act upon my impulses. And while I don’t act upon them, I don’t go to stand next to him. Instead, I plant myself between the two, shoving his arm away.

Jagger lifts a brow, probably wondering what the hell that was about, but I don’t keep my eyes long on him. I train them down to my angel, who seems intent on ignoring me.

“Hey,” Finnick greets, not sounding bothered. “Did you two plan it out, too? I was just about to tell Saint to enter the couples costume with Daisy, because?—”

“I didn’t plan anything with”—Daisy’s lip curls up in disgust—“him.”

I would’ve thought they had, because Saint is dressed like the Mad Hatter and Daisy like the Queen of Hearts. There’s a lot of resemblance with their costumes; you’d think they would’ve coordinated.

“You make it sound like it’s a bad thing. We look good, Dais.” Saint softly smiles at her, staring at her in a longing way.

I’d remind him he has a girlfriend, but I’m honestly not sure what Breanna and Saint even are anymore. I thought she was into him, but I think she’s just using him, and well, he’s doing the same.

“Don’t call me that,” she bitterly spits out.

“Why can’t we?—”

“You should really shut up. It does wonders. I promise,” Daisy suggests boredly.

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