Page 5 of Bad Crush
She has no reason to be embarrassed, though. I know how possessive girls can be about their shit. Finding her in my room, searching under the bed for a scrunchie my sister borrowed—not even the weirdest example I can come up with. Once, Ginny had a meltdown, complete with tears, when I borrowed her concealer. I was seventeen, and it was prom night—I needed a little extra coverage hiding a zit in the middle of my forehead. Anyway, Ginny caught me with her makeup and she flailed and screamed,“It’s discontinued. That’s the last tube!”Then she didn’t talk to me for three days.
“I tore my room apart this afternoon looking for it.”
“You did?” Her eyes, brown with light flecks, lock on mine and hold. Her lips pull higher, and her dimples come out to play.
Leah shifts, making it harder for me to see Reagan. “I didn’t find it. Found some odd things, but no black scrunchie with gold stars.”
“What kind of odd things?”
“I think I might embarrass myself if I divulge too much.” I inch closer.
“Well, now you have to tell me.”
I shake my head. “Oh no. You wouldn’t share your bad artwork with me. Speaking of, I keep finding more glitter in my room. I went to class with it all over my face.”
“I’m sorry.” Reagan smiles shyly again and a small laugh escapes her lips.
“It’s cool. I—”
“Hey,” Leah snaps at her, cutting me off. “Find someone else to hit on. I was here first.”
I guess she does know more words. But man, gotta say, don’t love being marked like a spot in the line for the bathroom. I also don’t like anyone talking to my friends that way. Especially Reagan. She’s so sweet and nice.
The Reagan I know is gentle, slow to jump into a conversation, and has never been one to get in the middle of an argument. Dakota is the outspoken one, often speaking for the both of them, but she’s across the room and oblivious.
I’m slow to find my words, but I’m about to tell Leah she should find someone else to latch on to for tonight when Reagan morphs into a badass.
“You interrupted him.” Her tone is still quiet but firm.
“Yeah, to tell you to get lost. Do you not see me sitting here? He’s mine. I called dibs and I’m not going to sit here while you throw yourself at him all night and try to steal him.”
Reagan’s mouth opens, her cheeks flush. “I wasn’t…”
“I think it’s time for you to go.” I help Leah off my lap.
“Are you serious?”
“Completely. Reagan’s my neighbor and friend. I’m not cool with people treating my friends like shit.”
She gawks some more, as if she can’t believe I’m really turning her away.
“Whatever.” She adjusts her dress, pulling the hem down to cover more of her bare thighs. “This party sucks anyway.” She mutters something about hockey players being stupid, which feels appropriate after I said one word to her most of the night. Leah huffs all the way to the door and slams it shut behind her.
The rest of the room doesn’t even bat an eye. Girls running in and out of here, sadly it’s not an uncommon occurrence.
“Well, that was interesting.” I rub at my thigh with two fingers.
Reagan’s large brown eyes go between the door and me, then her shoulders slump forward and she giggles. “Did that just happen?”
“I think so.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare off your date.”
“Eh, it’s okay. You wouldn’t believe how bony her ass was. I think I’m going to have a bruise on my leg.”
“Somehow, I think you’ll survive.”
“Probably. I definitely need a drink though. Want something?”
