Page 73 of Lines

I rub my hands thoroughly under hot running water and then dry them in a white fluffy towel. It makes me wonder who bought it. Everybody knows Andrew’s parents are divorced, so I guess they have a maid or housekeeper or something like that who takes care of the house and shopping. I can’t imagine Andrew or serious Mr. Hill going to the store and buying those fluffy, girly towels.

My eyes lift, and I see a reflection in the big mirror in front of me. Every time I caught a reflection of myself tonight, I was stunned by the girl looking back at me. She is stylish and girly and cute. Her eyes are big and she is glowing, which has little to do with shimmery makeup and is more about the way she feels.

It is hard to believe that I let Mom dress me up like this.

The dress she specifically went and bought for this date in one of those small boutiques where most of the girls from my school liked to buy clothes. At first, I was mad she did that; it made me feel awkward and self-conscious. I didn’t like to show my awfully pale, covered in freckles, legs. But after I tried it on I had to admit it looked nice on me. The dress made me feel pretty and girly, and by the look Derek gave me when he saw me, I guess he liked it too.

Opening the small clutch hanging from my shoulder I find the lip gloss that I stashed there before leaving with few other essentials. I put a small amount on my lips, still transfixed with my reflection.

My hair is messy from Derek’s hands. He has a thing for my hair, I swear.

While we were at Charlie’s, his hand was sitting at the back of the booth, his fingers playing with my hair, bouncing the curls or twisting it around his finger. He even brought one to his nose and inhaled deeply, saying he loved the smell of my shampoo.

After we finished with our dinner, we went to Andrew’s party.

At first, we were sitting on the couches with his friends. Derek got us sodas and we sat pressed closely together in the love seat. We were so close that I was practically sitting in his lap once another bulky guy from the team decided he wanted to sit next to us in the small space. Then, Derek really did pull me to sit in his lap.

His strong hands circled around my waist, and he pulled me to his chest. Derek’s chin was resting on my shoulder while he continued talking to guys about hockey and some video games like nothing unusual was happening.

His friends did the same, which was better than the surprised glances and deafening silence that followed us when we first came, but still.

Derek’s scent was surrounding me, and his body radiated so much heat that I felt like I was in a sauna.

My heart started beating hard against my chest, and every single thing I felt was magnified by the closeness of him.

They invited him to play the video game with them, but he refused saying he owes me a dance. I tried to reassure him that I was fine and he could play a game, but he laughed and waved his head before getting us both up and pushing me to the dance floor where we swayed.

His chest still pressed against my back, Derek moved my hair over one shoulder and his lips traced sensitive skin of my neck. First, he traced a path with the tip of his nose from my collarbone to the nape of my neck, inhaling deeply. Then, he returned the same way down, only this time leaving small kisses that made my skin shiver.

We were like that for a while—wrapped into each other—before I excused myself to go to the bathroom.

In the blink of an eye, I’m back in the small room.

My heart is beating strongly in my chest, and Goosebumps are all over my body from the memory of those small, innocent kisses. How I wanted him to stop teasing me and really kiss me.

Really touch me.

Sighing I turn around and unlock the door, but I don’t get far because there are hands that shove me back inside.

Hard.

“What do you think you are doing, Dotty the Dork?”

I press my hand and rub the spot where she pushed me, knocking the air out of my lungs.

“I was in the bathroom.” I lift my hands in the air. “Sorry if I stayed too long.”

Diamond laughs, but there is nothing funny about her tone or her narrowed, hard blue eyes. She flips the lock of her blond hair back, her red lips curving into a hard smile that is more like a grimace.

“Did you hear that, girls?” She looks over her shoulder, drawing my attention to two of her blond-haired friends standing behind her. I don’t know their names, but I know they always stick together. “She’s playing dumb.”

The two of them laugh at Diamond’s comment, but I can see how uncomfortable they are from the unsure look in their eyes and the way they can’t stay still.

Diamond turns her attention back to me, her eyes sending daggers my way. “I was talking about Derek, you idiot.”

I swallow hard but don’t avert my eyes from hers.

“What about Derek?” No matter how hard I try, my voice comes out a little shaky.

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