Page 114 of Slayer

“How about this? You finish your night here with Greyson.” He growled the name. “And meet me on the girls’ dormitory rooftop at midnight for one dance.”

I grinned, the tension easing just enough to breathe again. “Do I want to know how you know how to get onto the girls’ dormitory roof?”

“You do not,” he said with a smirk.

I chuckled as happiness bubbled up inside me, bright and terrifying all at once. “Okay. I’ll meet you there at midnight.”

He nodded. “See you then, Tyson.”

I punched his arm. “Let that nickname die!”

“Never,” he teased and then disappeared down the hall, leaving the air buzzing where he’d stood.

I leaned back against the brick wall, panting, heart racing, trying to process what had just happened.

After finally using the bathroom, I went back out to thank Greyson for the water, and we danced some more, slower now, steadier, my thoughts split between the boy holding my hands and the one waiting on a rooftop for me.

When we were tired and it was nearing midnight, we went to find a seat and talk.

“This was really fun,” Greyson said with a grin. “You’re not the best dancer⁠—”

“Hey!” I interjected, laughing despite myself. I had stepped on his feet a few times.

“But I would love to go out with you again,” he added, hopeful but careful.

I steeled myself, heart sinking. “I had a ton of fun too, but to be honest, I’d like to just be friends.”

“Oh.” His face fell, then smoothed out as he nodded. “Okay, yeah. That’s cool.”

I felt awful. Reaching out, I grasped his upper arm. “I’ve had a crush on someone else since I got here. You never really stood a chance. It’s not you.”

He relaxed a little at that. “Okay, that oddly makes me feel better. Who is it?”

Why not tell him the truth? “Asher.”

He began to nod. “Makes sense. You should tell him you like him. He’s a closed-off dude, will probably never approach you.”

He was giving me dating advice? “You’re a great guy.”

“Thanks.” He looked a little sad at that.

I stood and so did he.

“Hug?” I asked. We hugged, and then I ran over to Luna and Harper, calling them into a huddle. “Okay, don’t freak out, but I’m going to meet Asher on the girls’ dorm roof so⁠—”

“What!” Harper screamed so loud people stopped to look.

“Girl, I’m freaking the freak out,” Luna said. “Tell us everything.”

I grinned. “No time. Just don’t wait up.”

“Screw that. I’m waiting up,” Harper said.

“Hells yeah, we are,” Luna added.

I grinned. “K, byeeee.”

I slowly backed away from them and ran out the exit.