Page 10 of Two Kinds of Us

The song slowed as the band worked a new beat in, enough to mess with my rhythm, and I pulled my hands from Harry’s neck. As much as I didn’t want to let go, I knew I’d need fresh air soon. Overheating in wigs was easy, and I definitely wasn’t going to risk passing out.

“I’m going to step outside,” I told him, raising my voice loud over the music. “I need some air.”

Harry leaned his head toward mine, so close that we shared the same breath. It momentarily turned my thoughts to mush, the curve of his mouth an inch away from mine.Hi, hello, I’d like you closer please.“I’ll come with you.”

“I’ll just be a second,” I said, extracting myself from his arms. Though I fought to keep my smile at bay, it broke free when I saw his expression as he looked at me: awe mixed with a little bit of desire.

Hook, line, and sinker.

“I’ll be right here,” he said, holding onto my hand until I stepped far enough that it dropped.

With a devious smirk, I disappeared into the crowd, the phraseleave them wanting moreturning around and around in my mind like a mischievous merry-go-round.

I thought about pinching myself, but decided not to risk it.

The icy night air greeted me as I stumbled outside, giving the bouncer a nod before rounding the side of the club. I welcomed the brisk breeze, lifting the wig as high as I could without pulling on my hair. Taking the wig off completely was a tantalizing thought, but I didn’t want to arrange the clips again.

So instead, I pressed my hands against my cheeks, hoping to cool off quickly. Dancing with Harry still left me a little disoriented, but in the best way possible. Adrenaline swam through my veins, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what might happen when the dancing stopped for the night.

I hoped for this: I’d go back inside, we’d dance a little more, and then we’d exchange numbers. I’d wonder who would text first, probably obsess about it all night, wondering whether he’d text at all. But he would—his first message would be something sweet and flirty, something that’d make me grin ear to ear. Our flirty conversation would morph into something deeper, a bit more meaningful, and then he’d ask me out.

Y’know, fingers crossed.

But I knew one thing for certain: As soon as I left Downtown, I’d no longer be Stella. The girl who danced with Harry would be shoved back into a black bag, not to reappear until next weekend. All the confidence that came with the wig would disappear, as if it never existed to begin with.

I pulled my cell out from my waistband to look at the time and found several missed calls from Mom and a text message from Margot, a dooming chime as the metaphorical clock struck midnight.

Margot:I told your parents I’d drop you off before curfew, but they keep calling me. Call me back ASAP.

I pinched myself then—a quick twist on my arm—but her message still stared back at me. With a sigh, I pressed the call back button and listened to the ring.

“Hey,” Margot greeted upon answering. “Are you on your way back?”

“Not yet.”

“Your mom’s already called the housetwice, Destelle. She wants me to bring you home early tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to track your cell phone. Then what?”

My eyes pinched shut. Of course she was right. Mom, or even Dad, would make the drive to Margot’s, knowing I didn’t have a car. If I wasn’t at Margot’s, the whole jig was up.

“Destelle,” Margot enunciated, her normally level tone hinting emotion. “Are you listening to me?”

“I have to do something real quick.” Something like go inside and make sure Harry Russo got my number. “I’ll call you when I’m on the road.”

Margot began to protest, but I hung up before she could get another word out, knowing time was of the essence. I couldn’t just ditch Harry without saying goodbye, not after a dance likethat. I at least had to give him my number and then keep my fingers crossed that he’d call me. MaybeIshould ask forhisnumber, be the one in control.

The bouncer let me back in without a second glance, and even though it’d be nearly impossible to find where Harry and I had been dancing in the giant crowd, I started wading through it, keeping my eyes peeled.

But when I saw him, I stopped in my tracks.

Harry stood with the two girls who’d danced with me earlier, and the girl with the purple eyeshadow had one hand on his arm, leaning in close. He dipped his head toward her, a wide, flirtatious smile lining his lips. Even from here, I could see him watching her mouth.

Five minutes. A five minute time out for air, and the spell had been broken. If I walked up to him now, what would happen? Would he turn away from the girls or turn away from me?

I sighed, disappointment hitting me like a tidal wave, wiping away any trace of lingering heat. Playing hard to get did mesodirty.

In the end, I turned away from him, reality creeping in and cracking the Stella façade.

Pulling my cell out once more, I sent Margot a text.Be there in ten.

---