Page 58 of Releasing 10
Hugh Biggs.
“There you go,” he finally said with a smile, breaking me from my deep concentration. “Look at you.”
I looked down and was surprised to see that he was holding both of my hands. My hand wasn’t on my mouth, and I wasn’t screaming.
Confused, I stared down at my hands before flicking my eyes back to his. “I’m okay?”
He nodded and smiled. “You’re okay.”
I glanced around the room.
Everyone was still playing.
Nobody was looking at me.
Nobody was shouting at me.
I wasn’t bad.
I swung my attention back to him. “How did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Make it stop.”
“The panic attack?”
I nodded, not sure if that’s what it was but needing to know either way. “How did you make it stop?”
“I didn’t do anything, Lizzie,” he replied, still smiling, still holding my hands. “You did that yourself.”
I didn’t.
I knew I didn’t.
He looked down at our joined hands that were resting on his lap. “Hmm.”
“What?”
“That’s the second time I’ve held your hand.” His cheeks reddened. “I’ve never held a girl’s hand before today.”
“You haven’t?”
He shook his head slowly, still not letting go of my hands. “Have you?” His cheeks flushed, and he quickly added, “Ever held hands with another boy?”
“No.” I shook my head. “You’re my only boy.” I felt my skin grow hot. “Only you.”
His lips twitched into a shy smile, like he was pleased with my answer.
“I like you, Hugh Biggs,” I blurted out, feeling the heat bursting out of my chest. “I think.”
I watched him carefully for a reaction, and when he tried and failed to hide a smile, I felt my heart slam against my chest.
“I don’t think I like you, Lizzie Young.” He looked out the window when he whispered, “IknowI do.”
Several hours later, when almost everyone from the party had been collected, I was still waiting for my dad to come. I didn’t mind, though. In fact, I secretly hoped he forgot to pick me up. I wanted to stay right here with my new friends.
Well, Claire wasn’t a brand-new friend, but her brother and his friends were. The dark-haired boy was called Patrick Feely, and he was super nice but kind of shy. The other boy’s name was Gerard Gibson, and he was sofunny.
