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Maggie lights the candles.
We sing “Happy Birthday” to Aiden, chow down on cake, and throw ourselves back on the beanbags.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH
I want to show her.
8am
“Uh, guys, it’s, like, morning.”
Logan is the first to wake up, stretching his arms above his head.
“Logan, don’t you have wrestling workouts this morning?”
He jumps up quickly. “Shit. What time is it?”
“A little after eight.”
“Fuck, why did I eat all that cake?” He's freaking out. “How do I get out of here?”
I lead him to the door that will take him to the woods not far from his dorm. I'm not sure his popping out of a hidden door in the basement on a day most kids do their laundry is a good idea.
“Get Maggie up. She’s supposed to sing in the choir this morning.”
I walk by Riley, messing up his hair, but he just rolls over and snuggles back into the beanbag.
I give the bottom of his shoe a little kick. “Rise and shine, lover boy. Ariela’s going to be wondering where you are.”
He sits up and appears startled to find himself still here.
“Where's my phone?”
“I don’t know. Your pocket?”
He shoves his hands into his pockets and comes up empty.
I look on the bar counter.
“Jacket,” he says, ru
As soon he stands up, I see it buried in the beanbag. “Here it is.”
He swipes it out of my hand. “Whew. Thank goodness. She’s not up yet.”
I raise my eyebrows at him and smile. “You, my friend, are whipped.” He kinda smiles and hangs his head. “And I love that you are.”
“Me too.” He looks over at the rug. “Do you think Aiden will mind if we miss his birthday di
“It’s your a
“Speaking of that. I forgot to ask you. What'd you think of the freaking Eiffel Tower?”
“It’s amazing. He asked me to go to Winter Formal at the top of it. At sunset.”
“Top of the Eiffel Tower, Sunset. That's the theme.”
“One of the very first times I tutored him, he said he’s going to ask me to marry him at the top of the Eiffel Tower at sunset.”
“What'd you say to that?”
“I said I don’t even like you. Why would I marry you?”
Riley laughs. “That’s fu
“She loved the way you asked her out and to Homecoming. I think tonight will be special. There are some votive candles in the cabinet. Light a bunch. Turn on just the twinkle lights. Be as sincere as I know you feel. She'll love it.”
Riley pulls me into a hug. “Thanks, baby.”
“That’s the first time you've called me baby in forever.”
“I don't want to piss off her or Aiden.”
“It doesn't sound right when you call me Kiki. Do you call her anything?”
“Yeah. I call her Kitty. Not very original, but it fits her. She reminds me of an adorable little kitten.”
“And you want to pet her?” I ask with a laugh.
“Ha! Exactly.”
“I swear, I can almost smell the croissants baking from down here.”
“Should we let them sleep?”
“Naw, let's all go get breakfast.”
At breakfast, A
A
Me: I’m at breakfast. Come over.
A
Me: Sure. Is everything okay?
A
I read it twice, just to be sure, then message Jake.
Me: Jake!!!?!!!!!!?!!!!!?!!!!! WHAT???!!! THE??!!!! FUCK??!!!!
Jake: I take it you talked to A
Me: I can’t believe you would do that!
Jake: Me?! Oh no. She attacked me!!!
Me: Seriously?
Jake: Yes. It was awesome. I’m going to ask her to Winter Formal. DO NOT TELL HER. I want it to be a surprise. And we need to brainstorm. Come up with something good.
When I get to my room, Katie is there, fresh from a shower.
“A
“So did me and Bryce.”
“Oh my gosh! How was it?”
“Good. I really like him.”
“Wait! Does that mean he asked you to go out with him?”
She gives me a big grin, holds up her hand, and shows me a pretty silver heart ring. “He gave me this, too.”
“That’s so sweet of him.”
“I know. I’m so happy. He didn’t ask me to Winter Formal yet, but now I know he will. My mission for today is to find a dress. I’m heading to the mall.”
A
“Ohmigosh, A
“Amazing. Last night was seriously the best night of my life. I’d been almost dreading having sex with Ace. All the talk about when we’d do it was sucking the romance out of it.”
“Are you sore?” Katie asks. “I was sore after my first time.”
“Not really. It was a little uncomfortable, like, for a quick second, but he was just so sweet.”
“Tell them your good news, Katie.”
Katie spills about her and Bryce and gets congratulatory hugs.
“Everything is working out for all of us!” A
Maggie purses her lips and looks slightly offended.
“I didn’t mean weird like bad!” A
“I was drunk but, yeah, he was a good kisser.”
“Who was better, Dawson or Jake?” A
“I don’t know. They were both good kissers. Dawson was hot. When I kissed Jake, they were sort of angry kisses.”
“What about between Aiden or Dawson?” Katie asks.
“I stopped having sex with Dawson when Aiden kissed me with his tongue.”
“So good,” A
“I can't compare Aiden to anyone.”
“What does that mean?” Katie asks. “Sure you can.”
Maggie goes, “No, that means he's the one.”
“What do you mean?” I ask her.
“If no one compares, if when he kisses you it's so amazing you don't care if you ever kiss anyone else again, if when you kiss it's so good it's almost overwhelming, then that’s how you know he's the one. It's way more than just heat and desire. It's the way he affects you. How, with him, you feel a combination of smoking heat mixed with sweet tenderness. And it's not just when you kiss. It's something as simple as him touching your hand or locking eyes with you from across the room. You feel the intensity. The heat. The complete vulnerability that thrills you and scares the shit out of you.”
“Wait, why does it scare you?” Katie wants to know.
“Because people tell you you're young and have so much more life to live. So many more boys to meet. But you know you could meet every boy in the universe and it wouldn't matter. He's it for you.” Maggie hugs herself while we all sigh.