Bad For You

six

Hannah spent the remainder of the weekend trying to convince me to message Theo or at least add him on social media, but in the end I chickened out.

"You just need to grow a pair," Hannah says that Monday morning.

I slam my locker door shut and turn to face her. "You do realize that's easier said than done right?"

When Hannah starts laughing I narrow my eyes at her. "What?"

"Nothing," she snickers. "I just think it's funny how he's literally seen you naked yet you're scared to press a blue button."

My mouth falls open and I hit her. "Hey!" She rubs her arm. "That actually hurt!"

"You're the worst."

"No I'm-" Hannah suddenly pauses mid sentence. "Shoot. I think I forgot my stats textbook in my car."

"I'll come with you-"

"No!" She shouts and then quickly clears her throat. "I mean no. You just...stay here. I'll be right back!"With that she spins around and hurries off. I stare after her in bewilderment.

Okay...that was weird.

"You never told me your middle name was Briar."

I whirl around to see Theo standing behind me, backpack slung casually over his shoulder. Suddenly Hannah's strange behavior made sense.

That sneaky bitch.

"Your name is literally Aurora Briar," Theo says with a smirk. "Are you sure your last name isn't rose?"

I smile and shake my head. "Pretty sure. But my mom might have been a tad obsessed with the Sleeping Beauty ballet and watched it only a million times while she was pregnant with me."

"Well then that explains the name," he nods. "But you know I have to call you Briar Rose now, right?"

"Of course you do," I giggle. "Soooo...you were at my recital."

"I was," Theo confirms. "For someone who hates dancing you're awfully good."

"I don't hate it," I correct him. "I just...wish it didn't come with so many strings attached."

He nods in understanding. "I get that."

"Yeah. I didn't see you after the show though."

"I figured I should leave you to your adoring fans," Theo raises a brow with a smile. "Why, were you looking for me?"

I sweep my leg in an arc and shrug. "No."

When Theo gives me a knowing look I roll my eyes and look away to hide my blush. "I wasn't looking for you. I just thought, you know, you'd be hanging around or something. That's all."

"You're a terrible liar," he chuckles. Then he bumps his foot with mine and shoves his hands in his pockets. "We should hang out."

He says it so causally like it's no big deal, meanwhile I'm internally freaking out.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Preferably somewhere that's not a dance studio or a house party."

Breathe Aurora. Do not spazz out right now.

"Sure," I agree, doing my best to keep my voice as nonchalant as possible. "I have practice after school, but I'm free after six."