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“Don’t be a dick.”

“Hard not to be one, when you have one. Now, where were we? Never have I ever…,” there’s a long pause while he observes me, almost as if he’s trying to figure me out. “Kissed somebody.”

My eyes widen, and even though I know better than to look his way, I do anyway. Derek’s blue eyes meet mine, and my cheeks turn red and feel so hot like they’ve been set on fire. Not even darkness can hide this kind of warmth radiating off my cheeks. If that doesn’t scream guilty I don’t know what does.

I know he can see and feel the discomfort I’m feeling right now, and for a moment I think I see regret in his eyes, but it’s gone in a blink of an eye, making me rethink what I actually saw.

“Well, well…” he mocks me. “Now isn’t that interesting? Who would have thought that little miss goody-goody is going around kissing the bad boy of school behind everyone’s back? Go on, drink.”

I look at my best friend, but she’s too busy frowning at Andrew. I can see the signs of her being close to the edge of snapping at Andrew. And although the body on the other side of me isn’t that close, I can feel Max tense and his questioning, piercing gaze boring into my profile.

“No,” I get up, my hands cross over my chest in defensive stance, but I don’t care. “I told you at the beginning. I donotdrink. And I didn’t even want to play this silly game. So I’m going back.”

“Ohh, come back here,” Andrew mutters getting up himself. “Nobody’s going to judge you for little kissing around or playing drinking games.”

“I don’t care. I’m not interested,” I retort and turn around to leave.

Walking quickly, I’m trying to find my way back to the door without running into anything. I hear footsteps coming closer, but I don’t care enough to turn back to see who’s behind me.

“Lia, wait!” Brook calls me just as I reach the doorknob to open the door, but the door’s already starting to open from the outside.

“Ohh, shit!” This really isn’t my night.

Derek

“Seriously dude?” I look at him, shaking my head in disapproval. “Couldn’t you just leave her out of your stupid game?”

“It’s not my problems she can’t take a simple joke,” he objects, his temper rising. “It’s just a stupid game. It’s supposed to be fun.”

“Well, it’s not fun if everybody’s not laughing,” Max intercepts, standing up next to me.

Giving one last look to my friend, I turn on my heels. “I’m going to find her,” I add over my shoulder as I follow after Amelia and Brook. I think I heard him say something about being pussy whipped, but I ignore his jackass comment.

Everything was working out good even though we were all together in school. She was here. I was here. I got her to sit next to me, maybe not completely by her choice, but she didn’t protest too much and tried to move away, now did she?

In my opinion, that’s a win.

I’ll take any step forward, no matter how tiny it is over a seatback.

Taking a corner I hear her sarcastic voice. “Ohh, just great. You’ve also come to join the party. Well go and enjoy, ‘cause we are leaving.”

I look at Sanders, both of us sporting confused looks on our faces.

Who the hell is there?

But my wonder is short lived because before we even get close to the door, she is all over me and I would give everything not to know.

“Diamond,” I utter as she hangs herself on my arm, pressing her boobs into my side.

“Where were you? I’ve been looking all over the place for you.” Her voice is high-pitched and whiny. Although she’s trying to sound easy-going and teasing, I see the looks she’s giving Brook and Amelia.

The same Amelia who’s now shooting daggers at me.

There’s nothing warm anymore in her brown eyes, and any color that existed on her face is washed away leaving only blankness.

She doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t have to. If looks could kill and all that shit.

But it isn’t even like she’s angry, it’s more like she’s disappointed.