Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“So you do have the same schedule as me?” Lily beams, and I’m glad I made the change.
“I only had to shuffle a couple of things around, but this last semester is cake. I’d rather spend the time with you.”
Her cheeks redden and she ducks her chin. “That’s really sweet of you. Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me.” I squeeze her hand and she looks over at me. “Just don’t try and get away.” I wink at her and she elbows me. It’s playful and fun, and I can’t remember the last time someone made me feel special. I’m warm and gooey inside, and I feel like one of those cartoons with the heart eyes. God, I must look like a fool following her around like a puppy dog. But I’d rather be her puppy than nothing at all. If being by her side as a loyal partner is a crime, then lock me up.
We sit beside each other in civics, and I find a few chances to reach out and touch her. Something about making sure she’s real. When I touch her, she smiles at me and lights up. It’s like she’s never been touched before, and she leans into it, craving the attention. When class is over, we walk hand in hand to lunch, and much like the day before she sits while I bring back trays of food. Only this time we aren’t interrupted and we get to finish a brownie together.
“You like sweets?” she asks me, and I smile back.
“Almost as much as I like you.” I wink at her, and she nudges me with her elbow again. I’m starting to think she likes touching me, too. “Seriously. Sugar is like crack to me. Give me a cake and I’ll marry you.”
Her face flushes red.
“It’s too bad you missed my birthday. You could have made me one,” I tease.
“When was it?”
“Thanksgiving. My mom jokes that I like to eat so much that I was born on a day dedicated to it. When’s yours?”
“Umm.” She looks away and then looks back at me. “Friday.”
“As in this Friday?” Excitement builds in my chest.
She nods and shrugs. “It’s not a big deal. Just finally eighteen.”
“Hey.” I take her chin in my hand and make her look at me. “It’s a huge deal. We’ll celebrate. Okay? I’ll take you for cake. I know a great place.”
Her face lights up and she nods. The little cloud that formed has passed, and I vow to do that for the rest of our lives. To push away her clouds and make sure she’s only seeing sunshine.
We finish lunch and walk to art class together, and I can see the change in Lily once we get there. There’s a look of excitement in her eyes as the teacher talks about what we’ll be working on today. She asks us to do a charcoal sketch of the statue in front of us, and I set up my easel next to Lily. She beams over at me as she takes the dark stick and begins to draw right away. I’m not really that good at art, but I try as best as I can and do a pretty decent job. The statue is of a woman wrapped in a cloak, so the curves and shading are difficult. I’m sure if I’d taken art any time during my four years of high school I’d understand what I was doing. As it is, this is my first time, but I muddle through.
I glance over at Lily a few times, but she’s deep in concentration. I love to watch her face as she draws and see the focus she puts into her work.
By the time the hour is up, the teacher calls for us to stop and examines what we’ve done. I can’t see Lily’s from where I’m sitting, but I see the teacher come up behind her and her eyes spark.
“Miss?”
“Parker. Lily Parker. I’m a transfer student.”
“Oh yes,” Mrs. Bennett says and looks over her drawing. “My dear, you have an extraordinary talent. I look forward to the next class.” She gives my paper a cursory glance before the bell rings and everyone packs up.
I walk over to where Lily is sitting and see the breathtaking sketch she’s drawn. It’s so lifelike, I feel like it could climb off the paper. “Wow, that’s incredible,” I say, and I mean every word of it. She’s gifted.
“Thank you,” Lily says, looking it over. “I love art.”
“You’re amazing.” I look into her eyes when I say it and see her blush again.
Taking her hand, I pull her from the room, and we stop by my locker to grab out coats before heading out to my Jeep. When I pick her up and put her in the truck, I give her a quick kiss. “Buckle up, babe. We’re headed to the hardware store.”