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“Fine,” I growled, making his eyes light up brightly. “But you have to close your eyes.”

“Whatever floats your boat,” he replied, before immediately shutting his eyes.

I smiled as I watched him standing there. I closed the distance between us, placing my hands on his firm chest as I lifted myself to get closer to his face. He shuddered under my touch, which made my stomach tighten. I had wanted revenge on him, but that one small response had me questioning everything. Did Cole really want me to kiss him? Or was this all just one big game to him?

Deciding it was the latter; I followed through on my plan. I lifted my lips toward his cheek and, with one swift movement, I ran my tongue up the side of his face. As his eyes flew open, I darted backward and skated away, grinning as I took in his reaction. He seemed stunned for a brief moment before his eyes grew bright with humor.

“That wasn’t a kiss,” he called after me.

I smiled at his response. “I agreed to a kiss if you won, Kingston. I never told you what kind of kiss. It’s not my fault if you don’t like my puppy kisses.”

I turned my back on him and skated to the edge of the rink where the rest of the film club was waiting with amused looks in their eyes. Cole’s laughter followed me as I made my way off the ice.

“That kiss doesn’t count! I’m holding you to that, Matthews,” I heard him yell. My stomach dipped with anticipation. I wasn’t sure if it was a promise or a threat. I think it was a little of both.

15

Madison

Hayley was buzzing when she picked me up for school on Monday. She was chatty at the best of times, but right now my best friend was talking like she’d smashed back three energy drinks before arriving at my house.

“You’ve got to slow down, Hayles,” I said, laughing as she flicked me an annoyed glance. “I can’t understand a word you’re saying.”

“I’m asking if you’ve checked your Instagram today?” she spoke each word purposefully slow to ensure I could hear.

“Because…”

“Because you gained like five thousand followers last night!”

“What?” I exclaimed. I grabbed my phone out and opened the app. My eyes widened and my hands started shaking as I checked my page.

“That can’t be right,” I muttered. “I hardly ever post anything.”

“It’s totally right,” Hayley replied. “Everyone’s been watching the competition. You should see how many people like your Cadi Facebook page.”

“I don’t have a Cadi Facebook page,” I said.

Hayley shrugged. “Apparently you do now.”

I sat back in my chair with a frown on my face as I scrolled through my new follower notifications. There were so many people I didn’t even know. I didn’t recognize any of their faces. Since when was this competition being watched by people outside of the school?

“Hayley, who are these people?” I asked as I continued to scroll. “They’re not from school.”

“Well, that’s not so strange,” she replied. “Word is spreading about how great the contest is, and everyone is watching. I was talking to my hairdresser about it at the weekend, and she was so excited that I’m your friend. You, girl, are famous.”

I liked most things that my best friend had to say, but that was not one of them. I didn’t want these people following me, and I definitely didn’t want to be famous.

“You and Cole could not get any hotter,” Hayley continued. “Please tell me that he followed you home on Friday, climbed up the tree at the side of your house, banged on your bedroom window and demanded that kiss from you!”

I laughed, putting my phone away. “You have a seriously active imagination.”

“Or it’s been way too long between boys. I swear I’m going through the biggest dry spell of my life right now. I’m living vicariously through you, so you’ve got to tell me all the details!”

My hands twisted nervously in my lap. “I’m sure you saw it all last night on the show,” I replied.

Hayley instantly slammed on the breaks, bringing the car to a screeching halt in the middle of the road. “Please tell me you didn’t miss last night’s episode too!” she cried, turning off the car and staring at me with a look of shock on her face.

“Hayley, there are cars behind us,” I said, turning in my seat to look out the back window as the drivers began honking their horns at us.