Page 213 of Burn Bright
“You can’t go inside, I’m sorry.”
“I’m with Ben Cobalt.” I step forward—the door is right there,come on.
The security guard bumps me back with a firm palm. “We’ve heard that one all day.”
I, too, would think I’m lying, and I try not to bristle knowing other girls are claiming Ben. Panting for breath, I hurriedly shoot him a text.
Harriet
Outside. They won’t let me in. SOS.
“Head down the stairs, Miss,” the security guard instructs, just as the door whips open. Wow, that was super fast. Ben peeks his head out. The shrieks behind me pierce my ears.
“That’s a Cobalt!”
“BEN!!”
“Is Rose Calloway behind him?”
“Is Connor coming out?!”
“She’s with me,” Ben says quickly to security, then waves me forward.
I bolt past the wall of guards, not even caring to rub my priority status in their face. All I can think is,I am so fucking late.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper to Ben as the heavy doorsthunkclosed behind us. The checkered marble entryway leads to a set of auditorium doors. It’s hushed in here, except for the faint sound of his mom’s voice. “I meant to be prompt, on time, but I should’ve planned to be early?—”
“I wasn’t even early,” he whispers with a rising smile. “Breathe, Fisher.” He’s sliding my bookbag off my arm, fitting Son of Ben in the big pocket. The golden stuffed lion peeks out. Then he slings my bookbag on his own shoulder, and his hand clasps mine. “What my parents think of you won’t change my feelings for you at all. So however this goes, you aren’t getting rid of me.”
He’s still here.
It helps calm my nerves. My cheeks pinch as a fluttery, weightless feeling soars inside me. “Let’s do the thing, Friend.”
He lifts our cupped hands and kisses my knuckles, as if to say,more than friends.
I grimace to hide my smile. “Thanks, Romeo.”
“Working on your Shakespeare before you meet my parents?”
Should I have studied for this??? “They aren’t going to quiz me?—”
“I’m joking, I’m joking.” He kisses the top of my head.This isn’t that serious, Harriet.I repeat the sentiment as he swiftly leads me into the auditorium. Probably so I stop obsessing.
It is packed. Some heads swivel as Ben gently shuts the door behind us. His hand in mine, he guides me across the back wall where we stand beside several older professor-looking types. We don’t make a fuss trying to find empty seats, and honestly, I’m not sure any exist.
My pulse kicks up an extra notch when Rose, at the podium, makes sudden direct eye contact with Ben, then me.
Her speech never falters, but her yellow-green eyes are as penetrating as Beckett and Charlie’s. If not more so.
Her form-fitting black dress hugs her hourglass curves, and her matte black nails curl around the podium’s frame. She reminds me of Disney’s Maleficent. Powerful, deadly, elegant. I’d be hanging on her every icy word like most of the students here, but I amnervous.
I should’ve taken Benadryl.
My arms itch a little under my cropped sweater top and oversized leather jacket. I asked Ben what I should wear, and he said, “What you normally wear.”
Okay, but my belly button ring is showing. I’m rethinking that decision. She looksclassy. I look…trashy?
I whip my leather jacket closed.Too late, Harriet, she’s already seen your stomach bling.Ben frowns down at me because I’ve let go of his hand.
