Page 54 of Studious
“Next weekend?”
I nod. And again, I really want to kiss him.
He just smiles. “Enjoy your new look. If you want, this week you can try talking with someone else you don’t know. Hopefully you’ll have better luck and can avoid weirdos who invent their own religion. But your next homework will be to go with me to the club, so you can have a bit of a breather, if you like.”
“Okay,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound too wistful. “See you at work.”
“See you.”
* * *
“Alden?” Mom calls as I walk in.
“Here,” I call back.
Do I look different, now that I’ve been kissed? Will she be able to tell?
Probably not. Even though I’m still burning from Danny’s touch—in a good way. Like he’s made me come alive. Kissing him was so, so hot.
“How was shopping?” she asks.
“It was more fun than I expected. I got a bunch of stuff.” I hold up the bags.
“Then let’s do a fashion show. I must say, I’m happy with how this Danny is treating you. It’s how you deserve to be treated.”
“He’s just a friend, Mom. Or a coworker.”
“Mm-hmm,” she says, not sounding convinced. I let it slide and model all my new clothes for her.
When I’m done and back in my room, my phone buzzes with a text from Mason.
Mason: Checking in on you. How’s the love coaching going?
Alden: I finally got kissed.
Mason: SCREECHES
Alden: Even though that’s in writing, keep it down!
Mason: I’m so happy for you! Who? Some guy in a bar?
Alden: No, it was Danny.
Three animated dots appear and disappear. Then they appear and disappear. And this repeats for a long time.
Finally, a text comes through.
Mason: Wow.
Alden: That’s all you have to say?
Mason: It’s not every day you get kissed by your crush.
Alden: I can’t have a crush on him anymore. He’s just helping me out. It doesn’t mean anything.
Mason: Did you like it? The kiss, I mean.
Alden: It was the best kiss I’ve ever had.
