In Your Corner | ✓

Thirty-Three

Before going back to the dance floor, I make a quick pit stop at the bathrooms, just to sort my face out. My lipstick has smudged a little around my mouth and I stupidly left my tube in my jacket, which is in the cloakroom, so I just wipe the remnants off and shrug at myself.

With or without the lipstick, I know I look good tonight.

When I exit the bathroom, I spot Josh leaning against the wall opposite, his arms folded over his chest, which only serves to accentuate his biceps.

"You didn't have to wait," I smile gently as he reaches for me, wrapping one of his arms around my waist.

"I wanted to," he replies simply, guiding me back to the dance floor.

My face burns bright at the knowing look we get from all of our friends, but I know that it's not malicious. In fact, their big grins tell me that they're happy for us.

Anandi also screams it in my face, so there's that, too.

Literally grabbing my head, she shouts, "I'm so happy for you!"

I laugh, because I don't know what else to do. It's not like Josh and I properly talked back there, but I also know where we're headed. We're just taking our time getting there.

"Seriously!" Anandi continues to screech at me. "Did you hook up?"

I laugh, shoving her shoulder and shake my head, glad that Josh has been accosted by a. couple of the boys so he can't hear our conversation. "No."

We've literally been gone for all of ten minutes. There's no way we'd be that quick.

MJ sticks her head in between us, a frown on her face. "You didn't?"

I shift my glare between them, aware that people are looking at us. "We aren't talking about this here. Tomorrow, okay?"

Anandi sticks her tongue out at me, but relents. Instead, she passes me the drink she has in her hand and encourages me to take a sip.

So, just because she's been bellowing in my face, I take a larger gulp than necessary, which she notices but hardly bats an eyelid at. I think she's too excited right now to care.

Chase swans over then and drapes his arms over my shoulders, pulling me in. "So, did Zaki finally make his move?"

I smack his back, because he's got me pinned close to him. "Shut up."

It's a little embarrassing really, the way that people seem to have been waiting for this very moment, maybe almost as much as I have. I didn't even really think that people would notice us, particularly given that we're so close because of what happened to him.

He pulls back, to get a look at me. "That a yes?"

My cheeks flood with heat once more and I nod. "Yeah."

Chase is beaming like a Cheshire cat. "Finally!"

"Stop it. Besides, Reuben and Kat finally made a move, too," I point out, attempting to redirect his attention elsewhere.

He chuckles, nodding. "I know. I've teased them too, don't worry."

Rolling my eyes, I finally shove him away, shaking my head. Unfortunately, it doesn't really stop there. Both Josh and I are accosted by our friends in turn, who are all sporting big smirks on their smug faces.

After what feels like ages, but is probably only thirty minutes, Josh gravitates towards me from the other side of the dance floor.

I'm dancing with MJ and Anandi, but I let his arms slip around my waist, smiling when he pulls me back into his chest.