Page 48 of Kiss Collector

Noooooo!

Lin bites her red lip, and my freak-out commences.

“Who did she say that to?”

Lin nods toward the crowd of dancers. “Just... them.”

I close my eyes, forcing myself to breathe. There’re at least twenty people from school in that group. Maybe they’ll dismiss what she said since she’s obviously drunk. Then I remember the stares and whispers, and I know it’s not likely.

“I told them all there’s no list,” Lin says. “I’m sorry. Don’t be mad. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. And who cares what they all think, right?”

“Yeah, whatever,” I say, trying and failing to shake it off. “Who cares?” So they think I’m making a list of guys I’ve kissed. What’s the big deal? I exhale loudly, trying to rid myself of the peevish feeling I have toward Kenz.

“Zae!” Angelo Garcia, crazy guy from my English class, rushes out from the crowd of dancers. I squeal as he swipes meoff my feet, up into his arms, where he cradles me. I kick my feet, laughing.

“Put me down!”

“Nuh-uh, not until you put me on your list.”

One arm is around his neck, and I use my free hand to smack his chest. “I don’t have a list!”

“Aw, come on!” He tries to kiss me and I turn my face aside, making his lips hit my cheek. I can’t help but laugh because he’s such a clown. “Girl, don’t be like that.” He smiles down at me, looking so happy, and a black strand of hair falls over his brown forehead.

Oh, what the hell. I peck his lips with mine. It doesn’t count, as far as the contest goes, but that’s okay. He throws his head back and howls like a coyote.

I wiggle enough that he puts me down and dances his way back into the crowd.

“That doesn’t count,” Lin says, grinning with her arms crossed. “But I got one from Bodhi, so I’m in the lead.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I smile back, even though I’m still peeved. “I’m going to sit down.” Lin reaches out and squeezes my hand before going back into the throng of dancers to stay with Kenzie.

I find a giant stump and sit. Where’s Monica? My eyes scan until I find her.

Talking to Dean.

Their faces are close as they talk. Both smiling. She bats his big shoulder, and he throws his head back in laughter. I’m frozen like a statue as I watch, my heart hammering, my stomach twisting. They’re touching a lot. He didn’t touch me whenwe talked. My skin starts to crawl. My eyes burn.

I know this feeling, but I’ve never experienced it toward a friend. I’m seething with jealousy, and it’s gross. I want it to go away. A plume of smoke from the trees catches my eye, and I get up to walk toward it.

Joel is alone, leaning against a tree. He lifts his chin in greeting.

“Kwami left?” I ask.

I follow his eyes and see Kwami flirting with Meeka. “Ah.”

He takes another drag and I ask, “Why do you smoke?”

Joel gives a single-shouldered shrug. “It relaxes me. And maybe I have an oral fixation.”

My eyebrows go up, and he takes another lazy drag. I move closer.

“Can I try?”

He lowers the cigarette to his side and eyes me. “No.”

“Why not?” I’m weirdly offended. “Afraid of my germs?”

His lips quirk. “Definitely not. But I won’t contribute to the delinquency of an innocent. Even if she does keep a naughty list.”