Page 61 of You Said I Was Your Favorite

Just the thought of that…hurts. More than I want to admit. Even to myself.

By the time the bell is ringing, signaling class is over, I’m in a full-blown funk thanks to the turn of my thoughts. Who am I fooling, thinking Arch Lancaster is really interested in me? So we kissed yesterday. Big deal. I’m sure he goes around kissing girls all the time.

All. The. Time.

I am nothing special.

Without a word I exit the classroom, leaving Arch behind, and of course, me being me, I immediately feel terrible for being so rude.

But that doesn’t stop me from fleeing. Besides, he’ll just follow me because we’re both going to the same place.

By the time I’m reaching the admin building, Arch’s fingers are curling around the crook of my elbow and he hauls me around the side of the building so I end up with my back against it, Arch standing directly in front of me, his expression thunderous when I look up into his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” he demands.

I blink up at him, at a loss for words. All I can do is shrug one shoulder.

“Talk to me, Daze.” He touches my face and I melt like the weakling that I am for him. “You just tore out of there and I was hoping you’d wait for me.”

“You want to be seen with me?” I whisper, staring at him in disbelief.

“What the fuck are you saying? I don’t have a problem being seen with you.” His hand drifts down to curve around my neck, his fingers exerting just enough pressure to tilt my head back.

And then his mouth is right there, on mine. Brief and soft and just long enough to have me closing my eyes, desperate to savor the moment.

“Think Viv will notice if we both don’t show up to second period?” He murmurs the question against my lips.

“Yes, she definitely will,” I say when he pulls back.

He frowns. “Guess you’ll have to instruct me on how to answer phones then.”

“Again? You haven’t picked it up yet?” I can’t believe I’m teasing him after having a minor meltdown not even five minutes ago.

I really need to get myself together. I’m making everything worse when in reality, nothing is wrong.

Everything is scarily going my way.

Can’t help but think something horrible is going to come along and ruin everything though.

“I can’t help that I’m easily distracted.” He’s staring, not saying a word, and I realize he’s referring to me. That I’m a distraction.

“Arch…”

“Why don’t you ever wear your hair down, Daze? You never answered me earlier.” He reaches out, tucking a few stray tendrils behind my ear, his finger brushing against my skin and setting off a fresh scattering of goosebumps.

“It always gets in my way,” I say with a little shrug. He’s asked me this question before. Like he’s fixated with my hair or something. I don’t get it.

“I want to see it down.” His gaze is intense, his voice extra deep. “Would you ever do that? For me?”

For him. Right now, and the way he’s watching me, I would do anything for him.

Anything.

The bell rings and I literally squeal, pushing past him and running toward the double doors. Arch is right behind me, both of us entering the office seconds later, me offering an apologetic smile in Vivian’s direction.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I tell her, my words sliding all together.

Vivian waves a dismissive hand, bustling past us as we make our way toward the desk where we usually sit. Lately together. “Don’t even worry about it. I need you two to do something a little different for me today anyway.”

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