Page 24 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

be each other's maid of honors. Ah! Double wedding!"

I laughed. "You're so drunk."

"You're so drunk! I'm going to go find my hot boyfriend who loves me. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" She disappeared into the sea of people.

I smiled to myself. It felt like I was having déjà vu. Except Kins sounded just like me when I was little. So much faith in love. And I sounded like my babysitter, Julie. The problem was, I knew the truth. Love didn't really exist. The world was dark and cruel. I would never love Eli the way he deserved to be loved. I wasn't capable of loving him. He knew that, right? Why did he want to be with me when he knew that? And where was he, anyway?

I pushed through the crowd of people as I looked for him. He might as well have been a magician because he was stellar at disappearing acts. I laughed at my own joke as I made my way up the stairs.

Eli was nowhere in sight. If I somehow did miraculously believe in love again, I certainly wouldn't love someone who just abandoned me at a party that he dragged me to. Asshole. I made my way outside and let the fresh air hit my face. It probably would have sobered me up if I hadn't taken those last few shots.

Music still swirled around in my head. I took the steps two at a time and started walking back toward my dorm with a skip in my step. Liquid courage was a wonderful thing. This was probably the first time all semester I hadn't even been a little scared. I smiled at the thought. God, I really am drunk. I giggled to myself as I walked down the sidewalk.

Barely anyone was around, which was strange for a Saturday night. But I decided to take advantage of the empty sidewalk. I twirled around in a circle and let my dress fly up around my waist. I used to love to do that when I was little. My feet stopped as my eyes locked on the stars above. All day long I was hoping that Eli would teach me how to jump across the rooftops. I wanted to be close to the sky. I felt invincible, like I could suddenly touch the stars. God, I missed the stars.

I twirled around again, dancing to the beat of the music in my head. This was what living was supposed to feel like. My feet seemed to guide me toward the school's observatory. I stopped when I was standing right outside Grenada Hall. It wouldn't still be open this late, right? I reached for the handle of the door and was surprised to find it unlocked.

I knew I was drunk. And underage. And that this was private property that belonged to the school. But I need to see the stars, damn it.

I walked inside as quietly as possible. It seemed newer than the other lecture buildings on campus. The tile floors almost glistened in the dim light. There was absolutely no one around. It made me feel like I was trespassing. The thought sent a thrill through me. I pressed the button for the elevator.

It immediately dinged open, echoing through the entranceway. "Shh!" I said out loud as I stepped onto it. My eyes scanned the buttons. Observation deck. That sounded good. I clicked the button above the words.

My stomach churned slightly as the elevator rose. I held on to the handrail to steady myself. Maybe this was a bad idea. I didn't want to get in trouble.

But all my worries flew away as soon as the doors opened. "Oh my God." I stepped out of the elevator and stared up at the glass ceiling. It was like I was standing in the stars. I twirled around again. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. It was absolutely breathtaking. I wanted to live up here. I giggled to myself, remembering thinking the exact same thing about Miles' tree house.

Miles, Miles, Miles. Why did my rambling thoughts always wind up on him? I walked over to the closest telescope. I had no idea how to use it, but I bent down to peer inside.

And my heart seemed to stop. Sagitta. It was angled perfectly at my favorite constellation. The arrow was bright in the sky. It was the perfect season for viewing it. Hell, it probably would have been Miles' secret password right now.

"It's pretty amazing, huh?" Miles said.

I jumped, knocking into the telescope. It swiveled and slammed into his stomach. Hard.

He made this quiet gasping noise, like all the wind had just been knocked out of him.

"Oh my God, Miles. I'm so sorry." I put my hands on the front of his t-shirt. "Are you okay?"

"I'm better now."

I realized my palms were pressed firmly against his abs. His perfectly defined abs. Stop molesting him! I laughed awkwardly and removed my hands from his shirt. "You scared me half to death." I took a step back from him and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "This place is amazing. Do you bring all the ladies up here?" What the hell am I saying?

He smiled out of the corner of his mouth.

I loved that smile. It still made my heart race after all these years. I swallowed hard.

"Not all the ladies, no."

I laughed. "Well, you should." I looked up at the glass ceiling. I couldn't help but twirl around again. "It feels like I'm dreaming." The music was still swirling around in my head.

"I like your shoes."

"What?" I looked back at him.

He nodded down toward my Converses. They didn't match my dress at all. Everyone else thought I was weird for wearing them. I couldn't hide the smile from my face. I remembered when I had thought Miles would like it if I wore more sophisticated shoes like Julie. They had been Converses actually. That night, so many years ago, he had complemented my bunny slippers. But tonight we were all grown up. The thought made me stop spinning.

"Thank you," I whispered. My heart started racing as he walked up to me. Time seemed to slow as I smelled a hint of grass lingering on his skin. How could he still smell the same after all these years? "I love the way you smell," I said, before I could stop myself.

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