Page 24 of Kissing is the Easy Part

Flora’s arms tighten around me. “No, I’m not done with my partner yet.”

Sydney pretends to gag. Dylan smirks at me. “Seany, didn’t think you had it in you.” He shakes his head, and I move Flora away before he can say anything lewd to her.

Flora lifts her head, and her eyes draw me in like gravity. “I don’t want to dance with anybody else. Unless you do.”

“I don’t either.”

“Good.” She rests her head back on my chest, and I place my chin against the top of her head. I wish we were somewhere more private, somewhere just us. But people are watching. A few even take out their phones.

Guess I finally did something worthy of being immortalized on a stranger’s camera roll. Not sure if I’m supposed to feel flattered or hunted. Either way, I don’t let go.

Madison passes by, her eyes scanning Flora from head to toe. “Green?Boldchoice. I can tell youreallytried.”

“Sage charmeuse with a subtle champagne sheen,” Flora corrects. “It’s not for everyone, especially the untrained. They should stick to a boring color like cream or beige. You seem to wear those so well!”

Madison scowls. If an alien landed on Earth, they for sure wouldn’t be able to decipher this as close female friendship. Madison flicks her gaze at me and curls up one side of her mouth. “How’s it going with the catch of the day?”

Ouch. Flora’s grip tightens around my arm. Without thinking, I say, “And here I thought I was more like Moby Dick.”

“Oof. This one reads,” Madison says.

Flora laughs. “Don’t be jealous I found him first.”

Madison tilts her head, her smile turning sly. “Nah. I’m just impressed you managed to reel him in. You two seem made for each other.”

“Careful, Mads. You almost sound supportive.” Flora turns to me, her voice playful but easy. “It’s not a party until Madison makes a jab at her loved ones. If she didn’t like you, she’d ignore you completely.”

“Welcome to the inner circle,” Madison says, as if I passed an initiation. They take pictures until the music cuts, and a loud crackle bursts through the speakers. “Time for the Homecoming Court announcement. Please give it up for your junior class representatives—Madison Jenkins and Raymond Corbett!”

The crowd erupts into cheers. Madison steps up, waving like royalty. Raymond follows, throwing a lazy grin to the crowd.

My hand slides off Flora’s waist to take hold of her left hand, and her cool fingers curl around mine.

“How comeyou never ran for this?” I ask.

“Madison loves the title. Even though I was nominated, I dropped out. It’s not worth it to fight with her.”

“She was okay with that?”

“Obviously I said something like, ‘I never stand a chance against you, Mads!’ and I told her I hate the crown because I don’t wear fake jewelry.” She winks. “But between you and me, I’d totally win, right?”

I nod. “I’d vote for you.”

Flora wants punch, and I offer to get it for her. She promises to stay put in front of the photo wall, where she’s posing with Carmen and Josie. There’s a small group forming near the beverage stand. The drink sloshes in its plastic cup as I dodge around seniors dancing in reckless circles. I grip the cups tighter, careful not to spill as I weave through the crowd.

When I get back, she’s not there.

Then her voice comes through. “Tell me everything!” She’s surrounded by a few guys from the hockey team, head tossed back as she laughs at something.

“You don’t hang out with us anymore.” William, the goaltender, leans in closer than necessary. “You have a boyfriend now?”

Flora shrugs, swinging her legs where she sits perched on the edge of the stage platform. One of her shoulder straps slips and she pushes it up.

“Are you coming to my party this weekend?” William asks.

“Maybe, we’ll see.” She spots me, waves, and hops off the stage. She takes one of the cups from my hand. After she finishes, she crushes the plastic between her fingers. “Hey. Want to get some air?”

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