Page 18 of Honest With You

I realize then I’m still clutching my phone in my other hand.

I unlock it, click open my photos app and forward him my class schedule.

“I have English with Macatlang, first period.”

He shuts his eyes, gently resting his forehead against mine. He breathes me in for a moment before letting my hand fall from his and stepping back. He nods his head to his right in the direction of the classroom and walks me to class. Just like he said he would.

Disappointment pierces through me when I compare my schedule with Ava’s. We only have two classes together. At least we have the same lunch period.

I was really looking forward to being around her, hoping seeing more of me will get her used to the idea of us dating. There is a pathetic sense of desperation in the way I feel about her.

A week ago, I was content with being single until graduation. Satisfied with my decision especially after all the crap Margaret pulled but the second I saw Ava, it clicked for me.

I know she likes me too. When we hung out in my backyard after dinner, she opened up to me just like when we were kids. She listened as I went on about my life in San Diego, asking questions with care and attention. No one has ever done that before, like what I had to say mattered. Like I mattered.

It hasn’t escaped me that her eyes tend to crinkle with amusement and a hint of a flush spreads across her cheeks when I tease her.

I’m positive my feelings are reciprocated by the way she stared at me as I walked her to class. She’s just as curious as I am about this thing between us. This chemistry is almost tangible. It simmers between us.

It scares me too and that is why I know it’s worth giving it a shot.

From the corner of my eye, I see someone settle on the chair beside mine and I brace myself, knowing exactly who I have this class with. Someone who usually sits in the back with her douche-y boyfriend.

“Well, hello there.” Vanessa’s ringing voice confirms my suspicions.

I’ve known Vanessa since the seventh grade. We both kick it with the basketball crowd but we’re not the closest of friends. The most I’ve hung out with her was freshman year when I used to play on the team. I see her every now and then at parties, but we’ve never actually sat down and had a conversation that didn’t involve a keg or some pool.

I lean my elbow on my desk, my cheek resting on my palm and give her a sidelong glance.

“Not sitting with Double D today?”

Confusion mars her brow. “Double D?”

“Douchey Dean or Dean the Douche. You choose.”

Vanessa rolls her eyes. “I’m just going to cut to the chase here before Mr. Stewart comes rushing in here with his Starbucks and pretends he had an emergency that didn’t involve a mocha frappuccino.” She clasps her hands together and leans forward. “So, what’s up with you and Ava?”

I don’t know how close they are to each other. I may know Vanessa, but I don’t know her well enough to trust that she isn’t going to turn around and gossip about this.

I know Ava. She’s a private person. I don’t want to turn her off before she even gives me a chance.

So, I shrug. “Our dads are friends. We saw each other again over the weekend at a family dinner.”

She studies me for a hot minute, her eyes squinting as they ping-pong between my eyes.

“You. Like. Her.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Why do you say that?”

She’s fishing. She just wants to hear me say it.

Raising an eyebrow, a sly grin explodes on her face. “Because you didn’t deny it.”

Well, fuck.

She laughs at the expression on my face after she baits me. “Relax, Jess. I like Ava and I think you’re pretty decent-” She winces and moves her palm sideways. “-but you do have a tendency to be loose so excuse me for being a little wary about this.”

She eyes me up and down like she’s not sure what to make of me.

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