Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
As I went to refill my water, I remembered I had Jolly Ranchers in my pocket. I pulled a watermelon one out and popped it in my mouth just as I heard his voice behind me. “Lark.”
I turned and, out of sheer nervousness, offered him an apple candy. “Want one?”
He smiled as he took the candy from the palm of my hand. “Why doesn’t this surprise me?”
“What?” I asked.
“That you have these on you wherever you go.”
I snickered. “I do.”
We stood there awkwardly, and then he said, “You came.”
I nodded, and just as I was about to say something about the game, he was grabbed from behind by Bones and another teammate. “Time for a shotski.”
“No, I…”
“You promised to do a shot with us.”
He looked back at me with pleading eyes as they dragged him toward another player holding a long piece of wood—a snow ski? There were holes in the wood where shot glasses were inserted.
“It’s okay,” I replied. “Have fun.”
I walked back over to my friends as I watched them lift the piece of wood so that they could all take a shot at once. Henry made a face like it burned going down, and then they were swarmed by girls wanting to do the same.
I turned my attention to my friends. Justin was speaking to Jessilyn, and Leah was acting as his wingwoman.
“Thanks, by the way,” I said to Emil now that they were out of earshot.
“You mean about your fingers?” he said, and I nodded. “None of anyone’s business, including mine.”
“It’s not all that serious, just me—” The explanation was lost when some big dude knocked into us and spilled beer on Emil’s sleeve. I grabbed some napkins and helped clean up the mess on the floor because the big lug had already walked away with only a grunt of an apology.
We people-watched for a while—me trying not to notice Henry and the revolving door of girls around him—until a popular dance song came on and Emil began singing and swaying his hips.
Justin and Leah joined in, but I felt totally self-conscious as Emil reached out to me and prodded me to do the same. “I don’t think so.”
He laughed. “But you’re here on a dance scholarship. Come on, let’s show them how it’s done.”
It was true that I loved to dance any chance I got, so I just went for it, pushing my insecurities aside. As soon as I started swaying my hips, I got lost in the music, but I could feel Henry’s eyes on me. We practiced all sorts of moves, laughing and talking over each other. Soon enough we had an audience, people in the room moving closer to watch.
Even Jessilyn was standing on the perimeter, and Justin got brave enough to ask her to join us. We danced to the next song too, but suddenly I felt hot and clammy, and the room started spinning.
“I need to cool off,” I said and moved to the wall, but that still didn’t help. Fuck. Was it the gummy I ate?
Feeling overwhelmed, I made my way out the door. As soon as the cool air hit my face, I felt so much better. I didn’t want to go back in there. Too many people, too little oxygen. I texted Emil that I was heading home.
14
HENRY
“Be right back,” I said, concerned, as I watched Lark go out the door. The girl talking to me stopped midsentence as I skirted by her. Fine by me. I was only half listening and waiting for an opportunity to seek Lark out again once he left the dance floor.
In fact, I was distracted all night watching Lark’s every move since he first stepped foot inside the clubhouse.
I’d been thrilled that he’d attended the game but didn’t see him anywhere afterward, so I hadn’t expected him to show up here. But maybe I should’ve since he was with Emil and two other friends.
But when Lark looked a bit green as he pushed through the door, I couldn’t help going after him. Was he drunk? I’d just had my first shot of the night, but I had no idea if he even drank alcohol. He seemed uninhibited dancing with his friends, but if I had those moves, I’d feel pretty good about myself too.
When I stepped outside and spotted Lark walking across the parking lot, I jogged to catch up. “Are you okay?”
His eyebrows rose to his hairline when he saw me. “Yeah, I just feel strange. I took an edible earlier, so maybe that’s why.”
“The fresh air will do you good. Mind if I walk with you?”
He shrugged. “You sure you don’t need to get back to your admirers?”
“What admirers?”
He motioned with his hand. “The endless supply of girls wanting your attention.”
“I…sorry. Sometimes I feel like I need to…” Play the part. “I didn’t want to be rude.”