Page 62 of First Echo

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me," she challenged, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

"What about you?" I asked. "Any embarrassing secrets the school queen bee doesn't want getting out?"

She was quiet for a moment. "I can't snap my fingers."

"What? How is that possible?"

"I don't know! I just... can't. My thumb doesn't work that way or something."

"Show me," I demanded, suddenly needing to see this ridiculous flaw in her otherwise perfect persona.

"It's dark, genius."

"Hold on." I reached over to the nightstand and switched on the small lamp. Soft golden light spilled across her face, catching in her hair, illuminating her features in a way that made my breath catch. She squinted slightly against the sudden brightness, her eyes meeting mine with unexpected vulnerability.

"Go on," I prompted, trying to ignore the strange flutter in my chest. "Let's see this tragic disability."

She rolled her eyes but held up her hand, making a pitiful attempt at snapping her fingers. Her thumb and middle finger just sort of slid past each other with a sad little friction sound.

"That's the most pathetic thing I've ever seen," I said, failing to hold back my laughter.

"It's not funny!" she protested, but she was laughing too. "Julian used to torture me about it."

"Poor little rich girl," I teased. "Couldn't snap along with the cool kids."

She swatted at my arm. "Shut up. At least I can whistle."

"Who says I can't whistle?"

"Can you?"

I pursed my lips and blew, producing a perfect, clear note.

"Show-off," she muttered.

“My turn again. What’s your middle name?" she asked, the question coming seemingly out of nowhere.

“Don’t have one."

"Youdon'thave a middle name?" Her voice rose in surprise, her eyes widening. The lamplight caught the blue in them, turning them almost silver at the edges.

"Nope."

"That feels illegal."

"Do you?" I countered, trying not to stare at the way the light played across her features.

"MadelineGraceHayes." She said it with a flourish, like it was something precious.

"That's kind of pretty," I admitted, the words coming out softer than I intended.

"Kind of?" she said, indignant, propping herself up on one elbow to look down at me. "Rude."

"Okay, it's very pretty," I conceded, suddenly aware of how close her face was to mine. "There. Satisfied?"

She smiled, triumphant, and for a moment we just looked at each other, something unspoken passing between us. I could see the flecks of darker blue in her eyes, the slight curve of her lips, the strand of blonde hair that had fallen across her cheek. I hadthe sudden, irrational urge to reach up and tuck it behind her ear.

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