Page 31 of See You in Your Dreams

“Fine,” he says, resuming his long strides with a wave of his hand. “Let’s say a dozen.”

“Adozen?”I protest.“There were only three inJurassic Park!”

“And?” he counters. “I never said we were going off the movie.”

I huff out a breath, torn between annoyance and laughter at how obviously Ash is pushing my buttons. This playful side of his is a new development, one that gives me hope that my efforts to break down his walls are paying off.

Of course, that doesn’t make his argument any less asinine.

“If we’re not usingJurassic Parkas our basis, then you should know that velociraptors weren’t actually anything like their depiction in the movies.” I pause just outside the cafeteria doors, triumphantly planting my hands on my hips. “They were only about the size of modern turkeys. The movie versions are actually closer to deinonychus, which—”

“And on that fascinating note,” Ash interrupts, making a show of yawning widely as he turns toward the exit outside, “I think I’m going to go eat. You coming with?”

Before I can respond, another voice chimes in. “Yeah, Dylan. Are you going with?”

A heady mix of alarm and guilt curdles my stomach as I turn to find Cat standing there with a fierce smile. Alexis and Robbie are a step behind. Robbie wears his usual stoic expression while Alexis shoots me an apologetic look.

I swallow, attempting my own smile back at Cat. “I was actually just about to grab some food from the cafeteria, but I might swing by the lab after.”

Cat’s gaze fastens pointedly on Ash before returning to me. She cocks her head, batting her eyelashes. “Oh, really? Because I seem to recall you saying the same thing on Tuesday. Or was it Monday? Funny—all the days without you are starting to blur together.”

I blush, at a loss for words. She’s right. Ever since Ash invited me over last week, I’ve spent every lunch period out at the picnic table with him, chatting while he sketches. And had my friends not shown up when they did, I probably would have again.

Cat and the others are usually in Mr. Simon’s room by now. They’d probably been waiting here for me. The thought of my friends having to stalk me like that amplifies my guilt even more.

Some friend I’ve been…

I sneak a glance at Ash. He hasn’t said a word since my friends arrived. Whatever openness had been on his face before has vanished, leaving his expression a disinterested mask.

I know I should go with my friends, but the thought of missing out on any amount of quality time with Ash tears at me. As he’s so fond of pointing out, in a handful of months he’ll be gone.

And if I delay college, I’ll still be right here.

Alexis steps up beside Cat, smiling tentatively at Ash. “Hi, Ash. You’re welcome to join us too if you want.”

A long beat of silence. Alexis’ smile slowly fades.

“I like your shirt,” Robbie suddenly says, nodding his head at Ash. I glance at the shirt in question—a plain black t-shirt. What Robbie could possibly see in it, I haven’t a clue. Though admittedly, I have to work not to let my eyes linger on the lithe frame underneath.

“Thanks,” Ash mutters. I let out awhooshof breath, relieved he’d spoken before the tension killed me. His eyes flick to Alexis. “And thanks for the invite. But I’ll pass.” Finally, he looks up at me, his features briefly softening as our eyes lock. “Later, Dylan.”

With a curt nod to the others, he vanishes down the hall in a few quick strides. I don’t realize I’m staring after him until Cat nudges my shoulder. “Well? You coming or not?”

I tear my gaze away. “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming. Just give me a minute to grab my food, and I’ll meet you there.”

Cat seems reluctant to leave me there, as if she’s afraid I’ll vanish into thin air the moment I leave her sight—or, more likely, that I’ll end up outside at a certain picnic table. She needn’t have worried. I feel appropriately guilty for ditching my friends all week.

By this point, most of the other students have already gone through the lunch line, so it’s easy enough for me to grab a meal, wincing at the wasted money. My fault for running out of time this morning to make a sandwich.

My friends fall silent as I walk into the Chem lab and slide into my usual seat at our table. They’d probably been talking about me before I arrived. I stare at my unappetizing cafeteria food for a beat, then take a deep breath and look up to find all of them watching me expectantly.

“Sorry for disappearing like that. I’ve just been a bit distracted lately.”

Cat snorts. “Cut the bullshit, Dylan. Does this mean your crush has evolved into a full-on love affair?”

Leave it to Cat to be brutally direct. My cheeks redden. “It’s not like that. We’re just friends.”

“Uh huh.” Cat leans back, her hard expression turning mischievous. “And the fact that he’s a hot, brooding artist has absolutely nothing to do with your pursuit of said friendship?”