“Right. Did you tell her we’re friends?”
“We don’t really talk.”
“Oh.”
We stand near the door, he with his hands in his pockets and me playing with the straps of my backpack.
“So, I have some news,” I tell him. “I met a guy at the public library. His name is Axel and he loves to read. He was looking through a book and he caught my attention.”
Damian’s lips lift in a smile. “Really? I told you that you’d find someone.”
“And guess what? I asked him out and he said yes!”
“Nice.”
“Nice? This is amazing!” I spin around in a circle. “I think I’m convinced that you’re right, Damian. There is a real guy out there for me.”
He gently takes hold of my arm, stopping me. “Who said anything about this guy being the one? You just met him.”
“I know.” I shrug. “But I have a feeling, you know? No other guy has made me feel like this. It’s the butterflies and the heart beating and all that. Have you ever experienced that?”
He shakes his head.
“You’ll experience it one day. Trust me. Maybe after I find my special guy, we can challenge you to find a girl.”
He scoffs. “Never in a million years.”
I want to ask why, but it seems like he wants the subject dropped. “I really think this guy could be him, Damian.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. We’re going out after school tomorrow.”
“That’s great.”
I beam. “Yep. I just wanted to tell you the good news. I’ll go now. I can’t wait to tell my friends. Thanks for pushing me to do this. Sorry I was so stubborn.”
He waves his hand. “All good.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He nods. “Sleep well.”
As I make my way from the Harrington apartment to the girls’ dorm, I want to dance around or squeal so loud they’ll hear me on Mars. I can hardly contain my excitement before I text Carly and Addie to meet me and Raven in our room.
When all four of us are gathered there, I blurt, “I have a date tomorrow.”
All three of them talk at once, asking a million questions. I tell them all the details and they’re so happy for me.
“If not for Damian, I never would have ever thought of asking a guy out,” I admit.
Raven lifts a brow. “Looks like your pupil is helping you as much as you’re helping him.”
“Yeah, looks like it.”
And if things work out and Axel and I are endgame, I’ll attribute it all to the guy who pretends to be a bad boy but is really so sweet and kind inside.
Chapter Twenty
