a lousy friend I am for tuning her out the way I did earlier. I hastily swallow the food in my mouth and force the words out before she cuts me off again.
“I really am sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have zoned out, and I feel horrible.”
She smiles. “Apology accepted. Now please, zip it, because I have an idea.”
“Oh, no.” I pause with the slice halfway to my mouth.
“Ryan finally asked me out.” My eyes widen, and I squeal, prompting everyone in the vicinity to glance at our table. I wince, apologizing under my breath.
“Annnnd,” she draws out. “I was thinking we should double date.”
“I’m sorry, what? Who am I supposed to double date with exactly, the freaking air?”
“If you’d let me finish, you’d know his best friend, Dean, is interested.”
“In me?”
She scowls. “Who else? Of course, you!”
“Aren’t they seniors? I can’t see Callan letting that slide.”
She rolls her eyes. “Screw my brother. He’s not the boss of me. So, are you in?”
I chew on it, mulling the decision over in my mind. Dean is hot. I mean, he doesn’t have anything on Callan, but—stop it.
Stop thinking about him.
Going on a date with Dean wouldn’t be so bad. He’s popular, athletic, and continuously has girls trailing him. I don’t know why he’d go for a girl like me. I also know Dean and Callan hate each other. Not that he would care, but if I was going to date anyone, I guess it would be smart to date Dean.
I hesitate for only a few seconds longer.
“I’m in.”
Rose smiles brightly. “Good. He’s having a party at his house tomorrow night, and we’re going.”
For the first time in a long time, a thrill shoots down my spine at the prospect of being near someone who isn’t Callan.
Past
I fiddle with the hem of the dress that Rose let me borrow. It’s a red, strapless, formfitting number that comes to mid-thigh. Rose suggested I wear this one because she said red was my color. Apparently, it brings out the dark chocolate strands in my hair. She also said it makes my legs look like they go on for miles, which is likely only because this dress feels like it was made for a Barbie doll and not an actual human. I tug the hem down again, trying to pull it over my thighs, but with each step I take, it rides up higher. I opted for my Converse instead of heels—it felt like overkill. I mean, the dress is short enough as it is, and heels would definitely make me look like a hooker. Rosalind opted for a similar dress, but hers is a black halter number that shows off her ample cleavage. Despite her incredibly good looks, Rose thinks her best assets are her breasts. As a freshman with D cups, she doesn’t have a shortage of guys knocking on her door, begging for her attention.
“Would you knock it off!” she hisses as we walk up the driveway.
“I can’t! My butt cheeks are literally hanging out of this dress.”
She glances at my backside, then rolls her eyes. “They’re not. Stop being self-conscious. You look hot.”
I silently curse her in my head. She’s the only person who can get me to wear something this scandalous to a party. I stick to her side the closer we get to the front entrance. As far as high school parties go, they’re not really my scene. Large crowds don’t do it for me, and I’m not exactly the most sociable person around. I take in the multitude of people surrounding us the second we step over the threshold. It’s absolute madness. The air is thick, with body heat and the smell of alcohol and smoke. It’s so stuffy, my throat clogs with each breath I take, making it hard to breathe.
Is this what appeals to high schoolers? Hot air that smells like ass and armpits, and horribly loud music?
I’ll never understand it.
Somehow, through the crowd, Rosalind spots Dean and Ryan. Taking my arm in hers, she pulls me after her, guiding me through the crowd of gyrating bodies. Over her shoulder, I lock eyes with Dean. His expression is unreadable as he watches me approach. His gaze roams up and down my body, assessing me. The corner of his mouth quirks while his eyes linger on my shoe choice. When he drags his gaze back up to mine, his face breaks out into a smile, and I’m surprised when my heartbeat speeds up. My palms suddenly grow