Page 90 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

Laughing lightly, she shrugs. “Yeah, that’s so unlike me.”

I nod. Is she using homework as a distraction because I’ve been keeping my distance from her?

“So…what’s up?” she asks.

I shrug. “Thought maybe we could watch that ocean life docu.”

Her eyes widen. “You want to watch the docu with me?”

“Promised, didn’t I?”

She smiles in excitement, and that just kills me. I came here for another purpose, but I don’t want to go back on my promise. Besides, this is a sort of goodbye. Not to our friendship, but to the possibility of something more.

“Cool, okay,” she says. “Sit and let’s watch. My homework can wait.”

I chuckle lightly. “Okay.”

She sits down on her bed and I lower myself next to her, not too close because that would really kill me. Lexi’s eyes drop to the space between us, but she turns toward the TV screen, pretending it doesn’t bother her. Maybe I shouldn’t have come.

No. I need to do this.

“Okay, ready?” she asks.

“Yeah. By the way, I read the comic.”

Her eyes light up. “Really? What did you think?”

I try not to squeeze my eyes shut at how excited she is. “It was good.”

“Just good?”

“It was interesting. But I’m not going to become a comic book reader.”

She groans. “So I didn’t convert you.”

“Nope.”

She starts the documentary, scooting closer to me. I wish I could take her hand, but I squeeze my fist to my side.

We’re quiet as we watch. Normally, Lexi would gush about the whales, sharks, sea turtles, or seals, but she doesn’t say much. She looks like she’s not really paying attention.

I clear my throat. “Cool, huh?”

“Hmm?”

I nod at the TV. “Cool, right?”

She looks at me, her eyes a bit empty. “Yeah.” She focuses back on the show.

We continue watching, but I don’t think either of us is enjoying it or even know what’s happening.

I pause it, causing Lexi to turn to me with furrowed brows. “What’s wrong?” she asks.

“Lexi.” I reach for her hand and sandwich it between mine. The wound on my left hand that’s healing pretty nicely tingles at her soft skin. “I…”

“Yeah?”

I swallow. “I have to be honest. I didn’t just come here to watch the documentary. I need to…” I release a heavy breath. “I need to talk to you about something.”