Page 65 of The Pinkie Pact

But I decided I wanted to keep my budding relationship with Sky a secret. I didn't know why. Maybe because it seemed too soon, too fragile still, to bring it up. I was so afraid it was some kind of mirage, something that would disappear if I thought about it for too long or too hard.

There was something too good to be true about it, and for a second, I wondered if Sky was everything I felt she was. But deep down, I already knew she waseverything.

I had already seen her at her worst, hadn't I? And maybe at her worst, that very first time I'd met her, is when I had realized she was different, that I could feel something different than the slow, boring march to death I'd been living.

A feeling of excitement shot through me as I crossed M Street. I still couldn't believe the night we had shared. I wanted to shout it out to the world that I had just kissed the most beautiful, most amazing girl in the universe, and I couldn't wait to do it again.

Sunday suddenly seemed so far away.

Kiss and Not Tell

Sky

As I went upstairs, I realized I probably didn't even need the elevator. I was so happy, I could probably float to our room.

I really hoped Kara was home. But wait. Did I actually want to talk about my date with her? This was so freaking strange.

But I felt like I needed to discuss it with someone. It had been so completely... I didn't even know what to call it because it had been way more than I ever expected, way more than any other date I had ever been on, like a complete one-eighty.

The second I opened the door, a screeching noise hit my ears and arms were thrown around me. "My sister's home!" Kara yelled.

"Oh, my God, how much have you had to drink?" I asked her, laughing.

"Never enough!" She removed her arms and looked down. "I might not have stuck to the pinkie pact tonight."

"Me neither," I admitted.

"But we were with people who wouldn't have taken advantage of us, right?"

"Exactly," I agreed, although I thought of Kieran and how at times he'd looked like he was going to tear my clothes off.

"So... how was it?" she asked, her eyes bright.

"It was amazing," I said, realizing my voice was the definition of dreamy.

She stared at me then let out a deafening squeal.

"You're going to make me lose my hearing," I said, giggling and moving away.

"Well, I want to hear everything. But first, I'll get us snacks," Kara said as she disappeared into our little kitchen.

Kicking off my shoes, I searched for my pajamas, tossing all my discarded clothes from earlier onto my desk chair. After I changed, I sat down on my bed, my mind still spinning in circles like a dog chasing its tail.

Kara reappeared and handed me a bowl filled with trail mix. "Okay. Now tell me all about it," she said, taking a seat on her own bed as she stuffed her mouth with food.

Between bites of pretzels, peanuts, and M&Ms while picking out the raisins, I told Kara everything about the restaurant, our meal, some of what we'd discussed, and how we had walked to the Lincoln Memorial afterward. I never mentioned any of the physical stuff, though.

Her face alternated between fascination and disgust. "I'm sorry. I just keep remembering it's my brother we're talking about here."

I laughed because I felt the exact same way. "I know. It's so weird, right?"

"Itisweird. But at the same time, I also couldn't be happier. Because Iknewthat Christina was never right for him, which I told him a million times, and I already can see the difference in him."

"Me too, honestly."

Well, except for how stressed he'd been to kiss me. I smiled to myself remembering how cute he'd been during our last kiss, taking initiative without me even saying anything. And had he really called me beautiful? My heart had almost exploded when he'd said that then leaned in with that soul-melting kiss.

"Wow, you've got it bad, girl." I looked up to see Kara staring at me, wearing that little smirk on her face. "And I'm thrilled," she squealed.

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