Page 36 of I Don't Need Your Romance

“No one tells you when and how to kiss your girlfriend,” Carly says once they take a break for air.

“Some people like to keep their kisses private,” Blake says.

Carly snickers. “So why does Dad always complain to me that he catches you and Ximena making out on the front porch nearly every night?”

Blake flinches. “We do not.”

“Uh huh.”

The siblings start complaining to their parents, who just chuckle because they’re happy their kids have found love. They’re still in love with each other after so many years and want only the best for their kids.

I’m smiling, but I feel a little left out with all this romance talk. But then I tell myself I have the romance in my books and I’m good.

Nathaniel Bradshaw announces that he’s treating the entire team, the coach, and the rest of the students and faculty to lunch at a nearby restaurant. He managed to rent the entire place for us.

I sit with my friends and their boyfriends and we talk about the performances and how we can’t wait for them to perform at the next competition. They’re sure to be even more spectacular than they were today.

My phone beeps with a notification from the school app. Principal Harrington wrote a public post congratulating the team on an amazing job. She never makes it to the competitions because she’s busy, but she always supports the team.

Thinking of her makes me think about her son. It’s weird, but with all the excitement of today, I completely forgot about him. But now that he’s entered my head, I can’t get him out. What does he do on a Saturday? Does he go to the art room and paint? Does he draw in his room? Does he play on his phone while listening to music?

He hasn’t made himself part of the school. He doesn’t participate in any activities or make an effort to befriend anyone. I wonder if he would have enjoyed today’s dance competition. Probably not. Social events don’t seem to be his thing.

I’m like that, too. As much as I love supporting my friends at their competition, I’m the happiest when I’m reading—excluding hanging out with my friends, of course.

It’s weird that we have so much in common. On paper, we seem like total opposites. But what does it matter? It’s not like we’ll ever be friends.

A fry smacks into my face.

“Sorry!” Carly says. “That was meant for Addie.”

“Why? What did she say?”

“That we won because of the duet. But I told her it was because of the entire team, not just us. She disagrees.”

Addie throws her hands up. “Of course the team was great, don’t get me wrong. But your and Ryder’s routine is what got us first place. You don’t have to be humble, Carly. The entire teamfeels the same way. And we’re very proud and honored to have our secret weapon on our team.”

Carly and Ryder exchange a glance and smile. They look like they want to leap over the table and kiss each other senseless, but it’s not really appropriate with all these people.

“Aw. Aren’t you guys adorable,” I say.

“Hey! What about us?” Addie demands in a light tone. She and Caleb are rubbing noses, they too, looking like they can’t get enough of each other.

“You guys are super adorable, too.”

Addie bows her head. “Thank you. Next, we have Bookish Girl Sophie and Bad Boy Damian.”

I nearly choke on my fry. “Addie! What the heck?” I glance around to check if anyone heard, but Addie said it in a low voice. And anyway, no one is paying attention to us.

Addie gives me an innocent face. “What?”

I just continue to give her a look.

“Did you tell them how sweet Damian was to you yesterday?” Raven asks me.

“No,” Addie says. “She most certainly did not. Spill, now.”

After sighing and sending Raven a look asking her why she’s indulging Addie, I tell them about him sitting with me after I hung up with my parents.