Page 9 of Catch Me If You Can

I held out my hand to signal for him to stop. "I’m going to the library. I’ve got some stuff to work on for science. I’ll see you later," I muttered, pushing past him. I didn’t feel like explaining myself. Truthfully, I just wanted to get away. I didn’t know whyhis comment upset me so much. Even if he was just trying to look out for me… it hurt knowing he didn’t think someone like her could ever like someone like me. Am I not good enough? Is that really how he felt about me?

With my headphones blasting the loudest they could go, I stormed through the hallways and made my way up to the third-floor library. I was so lost in my own head, I hardly noticed when a small blonde walked through the doors at the same time I did.

We collided, and I shot my hands out to keep her from falling. Standing tall at 6'2", a hit from me would’ve been brutal to the small frame I collided with. My heart stopped when I realized who I’d run into.

Sarah Lockwood.

"Nathan!" she giggled, grabbing onto my forearms for balance. "You almost took me down there."

"So sorry." My face turned bright red. "I wasn’t thinking."

"Clearly. For a lab partner, though, I really hope you work on that." She winked. That made me laugh, too. She was so quick with her words, kind of like Caleb. And just like that, my smile faded.

"Where’s your shadow?" she asked, as if reading my mind.

"Caleb?" I asked, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "Still in the caf, I think."

She gave me a confused look. "And here I thought you two were a package deal." She nudged me in the shoulder.

"Yeah," I breathed. "I don’t know why he likes me so much."

"I do." She smiled up at me, her blue eyes glinting. Then, biting her lip, she added, "You’re really cool, Nathan. I don’t think you know that about yourself, which almost makes you cooler."

Woah. That wasnice…

Maybe she really did want to go to prom with me.Take that, Caleb.

"You’re really cool too," I said, a smile tugged at my lips.

"Can I ask you something?" She turned and started walking in the same direction I’d been heading. I followed, watching her ponytail sway with every step. She looked so cute in her red and white cheerleader uniform.

"Yeah, anything."

"Why have you never asked me on a date? After our kiss, I kind of thought you would." She stopped, turning toward me. "You’re like… the only boy in school who’s never tried. And I just… wonder why."

I was speechless. What was I supposed to say to that?

"We get along, don’t we?" she continued, stepping closer. I tried not to back away, but I was nervous as hell. "You think I’m pretty… don’t you?" Her eyes were on my lips now.

"Absolutely," I breathed.

“So, why not just…go for it?” She muttered, looking down at my lips.

Did she…was she asking for…

There was only one way to find out.

I leaned down slowly and to my surprise she met me halfway. Our lips collided and—

I was kissing her…again.

I was kissingSarah Lockwoodnot because of some game but because she really justlikedme.

Someone pinch me.

But then, even as my heart raced, I couldn’t help but think of a certain pair of ocean eyes that would’ve been shocked to see this happening.

If only Caleb were here to see this.

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