Page 82 of Steps

They chortle as they watch us. I lean in for ahug, drinking in his intoxicating scent and endless affection flowing from hisbody. Varen’s touch stirs my emotions in a way only he can. Fearing they’lldetect something, I pull away from him.

“Pictures,” Daniel blurts, readying his expensivecamera.

Mom takes it from him. “You and Alison take onewith Varen first,” she proposes, snapping away when the three of them stand together.Once they finish, she and Daniel join him, and then Alison and me.

We decide to wait until after he receives his highschool diploma before taking one with all of us.

When that time comes, and Varen marches across thestage with his usual relaxed vibe, the four of us stand with pride and clapaloud. I can tell how happy it makes him, but I also see a bit of sorrow.

His mom isn’t here.

After the ceremony, we snap more pictures in theschoolyard. Varen and Finn had made up since that squabble over me a few weeksago. It worries me a bit, but I understand that they’re longtime friends.

Varen and Finn take pictures with otherschoolmates, including some rather beautiful girls.

One has a flirty look when she stares at Varen asif they have a history.

I can’t help feeling jealous even though it’ssilly. He’s with me now. So all those other girls don’t matter.

A fellow parent Daniel’s acquainted with offers totake a family shot of the five of us. Varen intentionally stands in the middlewith me, my mom on my right, and Alison and Daniel on his left.

He holds up the diploma before him and rests hisother hand at my lower back.Sneaky guy.

When the parent finishes taking the picture, Varennudges me to hang back as everyone disperses.

To our parents, he says, “Hey guys, there’s agraduation party at a friend’s house. Can Toya come?”

I flash Mom a pleading look. “Please?”

Daniel turns to her, unsure. Refocusing on Varen,he says, “Maybe we should just have dinner together.”

“God, it’s the last time I’ll get to see some ofthese kids, Dad,” Varen explains. “I won’t do anything stupid. Promise.”

Mom shakes her head. “Oh Dan, let them go havefun. I’m actually glad Toya wants to go out. She’s always studying.”

He warps his mouth in worry as he stares at us.

I assure him, “It’s fine, really. I’ll keep himout of trouble.”

Varen snorts at me. Daniel releases a long sigh.“All right. But no later than midnight.”

“Got it.” Varen hands his diploma to Alison thentakes off his cap and gown.

Daniel collects those from him. “Be safe.”

“We will,” Varen swears.

“See you guys,” I tell them and walk with Varentoward his car. I peer behind to see if they’re leaving before touching him. Inotice when Daniel and Alison turn away, Mom stalls and watches us a bit beforecatching up to them.

Reaching Varen’s Audi, he brushes my curls asideand strokes my face after we get in. “You’re so gorgeous. So fucking sexy inthat dress. I was afraid I’d give it away if I complimented you like that infront of them.”

I giggle. “Yeah, good thing you didn’t.” He startsthe car. “So are we really going to a party?”

“This time, we are. You don’t mind, do you?” Hearches a brow.

“No. Let’s go have fun.”

Varen drives to a lavish house by the river. Oneof his classmate’s uncle owns the place and is letting him have it for thenight. Rich people.

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