Page 37 of Attractive Forces
“I’m a black hole,” he explains.
I snort out a laugh. It’s so Jake.
“I guess it’s better than being an asshole,” I offer.
“Yeah, definitely better than that.” He grins back at me.
“So, you having a good night so far?” I ask inanely.
“Yeah, it’s been good. We hung out at Chloe’s place for a while before coming here. What about you guys?”
“We did photos and stuff at Jennifer’s.”
“Oh. Right.”
There’s a slightly awkward silence as I try to figure out what to say to prolong the conversation. Jake stares at one of the decorations propped up behind the table, a cutout of a crescent moon with a star tucked into the side, and shakes his head.
“They didn’t even try to get it scientifically correct,” he complains.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Well, the moon shining is just reflected sunlight. It just depends on the angle, how much we can see. But even when you can only see part of the moon, the rest is still there. A star can’t shine through the dark part of the moon.”
I stare at the cutout, Jake’s words replaying in my head.
Even when you can only see part of the moon, the rest is still there.
“Yeah, well, maybe people are in denial about what’s actually there in the dark part,” I say recklessly.
Jake’s eyebrows bunch as he stares at me, his throat working.
“Did you get us drinks?” Jennifer’s voice startles me so much that I jump. When I blink, she’s standing there, looking at me curiously.
“Oh…uh…” I glance down at my empty hands. “Sorry, I hadn’t gotten around to that yet. I was just talking to Jake.”
“Oh, hey, Jake,” Jennifer says to him.
Jake doesn’t seem dazzled by the most beautiful girl in the school talking to him. His eyes haven’t left mine. He’s still staring at me, his dark eyes intense.
“Don’t worry. I’m not thirsty anyway. Let’s dance instead.” Jennifer tugs at me.
I have no choice but to turn my back on Jake and let Jennifer lead me away.
11
Jake
About halfway through the night, Logan and Jennifer are announced as the ball king and queen.
And I’ve just joined the sad masses watching them, wanting what I can’t have.
Actually, this feeling inside me feels bigger than a simple want now. It’s an aching, gnawing need.
Logan’s words from earlier, about some people being in denial about the dark parts, echo in my head.
What did he mean by that? Was he talking about himself? Or was he talking about me? Does he think I’m in denial about something?
I can’t exactly ask for clarification as he’s currently descending the stairs from the stage, Jennifer’s hand in his.
