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“Yeah.”
My chest hurts at hearing the disappointment in her voice.
A few minutes later, we pull up to the school, and I get out, walking around to her side to open her door. She smiles up at me shyly, which I find amusing. There’s not a shy bone in Ally’s body.
The school is already hopping when we walk through the doors. Music blasts from the speakers, colored lights flicker in the dimly lit room, and teenagers dance, laugh, and goof around. It’s weird being back here.
Ally, who has her arm looped through mine, lets it go to face me. “You mind if we get pictures first, before my hair is a mess?”
“Sure.”
We walk over to the photographer who’s already set up and taking pictures. There’s only a few people ahead of us, so we get in line. One of Ally’s friends walks up to us.
“Wow, Ally! That dress is gorgeous!”
“Thanks, Bri. I love that color purple on yours. It matches your eyes perfectly.”
Bri’s eyes slide to me, and they light with interest. “Trent, you’re looking as handsome as ever. I think it’s great that you came with Ally.”
“Thanks.”
Ally’s hand tightens around my forearm with Bri’s compliment. I almost smile at her telltale sign of jealously.
Bri stands next to us as we wait in line for our turn for pictures. Irritation creeps in when Bri’s eyes keep moving to me. I know the look she’s giving me. What she doesn’t know is she’s barking up the wrong tree. She may be a senior and eighteen, but I have zero interest in her. All my interest is on the girl hanging on my arm.
Finally, we’re called up next and we walk in front of the camera. The photographer instructs us on how to stand. We end up with me slightly behind Ally with my arms wrapped around her small waist. Her hands rest along my arms. I grind my molars together and hope like hell I don’t pop a woody when I feel her backside snuggle against the fly of my slacks.
We smile for the camera, then the photographer moves us into another position. This one we’re mostly facing each other. I’m looking down at her while Ally looks up at me. It would be so easy to drop my head and kiss her.
Thankfully, I hear the click of the camera and the photographer announces we’re done. Ally laces her arm back through mine and we leave. I ask Ally to dance, and it’s one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Having her in my arms, her body pressed to mine is fucking torture. Sweat breaks out on my forehead and my hands tremble when I place them at the base of her back.
“Thank you for bringing me tonight. I probably wouldn’t have gone if you hadn’t agreed to take me.”
Forcing my wayward thoughts away from dragging Ally to a dark corner, I smile down at her.
“It was my pleasure. I can’t believe none of the guys asked you.”
“Oh, they did.” She laughs. “I just told them all no.”
My steps falter, but Ally either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care. “Why?”
She shrugs. “None of the boys here interest me. I’d much rather go with you than any of them.”
“Ally,” I start, then stop when it comes out strangled. “You know we can’t….”
“I know.” She sighs and drops her gaze to my throat. “I just wanted to pretend for a little while.”
I pull her closer and she rests her head on my chest. I move us slowly to the music. The next song that comes on has a faster beat. I’m not a fast dancer, and Ally knows this. She lifts her head, and my gut plummets when I see the sad look in her eyes.
“Would you mind getting us a drink? I’m going to go to the restroom. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Before I can answer, she walks off, heading out the door. I watch her go, and my goddamn heart goes with her.
Instead of going to the table with the punch bowls, I walk out the door she left through. I’m not comfortable with her being in the dark hallway by herself, so I lean against the wall just outside the girls’ bathroom.
I’ve known for a while that Ally’s feelings toward me have changed. It’s been killer on my own feelings. I’ve always given Ally anything she’s ever asked of me. She’s never outright told me what she wants, but I see it sometimes in her eyes when I catch her looking at me.
Shoving my hands into my pockets, I frown down at the floor. A feminine scream comes from down the hallway, and I look over. A girl is running from the room where the dance is being held. She tosses a look over her shoulder, a big smile on her face. A moment later, one of the boys comes flying out, chasing her through the doors leading outside.
I smile, remembering my own time here in this school. When I turn back toward the bathroom, my breath gets stuck in my throat. Ally is standing just outside the bathroom door, her eyes locked on me. My heart drops to my toes when I see the redness around her eyes, like she’s been crying. I can’t stand to see Ally cry.
One minute I’m on the opposite side of the hallway, and the next I’m standing in front of her. I cup her cheek and use my thumb to tip her head back. The smile she gives me doesn’t reach her eyes.
Before I can stop myself, I’m doing something that will change my life forever. Something that’s wrong, but at the same time feels so goddamn right. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Something that will have Andrew knocking my teeth down my throat. And finally, something that I’m just not strong enough to fight anymore.
Slowly, I lean down and press my lips against the girl who I’ve come to love with my whole heart.
