Lost in Hollywood

Valentine's Day

Sky stared after Cody's car, a pit of worry forming in her stomach. On her cheekbone, his short, featherlight kiss was already fading, but his scent still lingered, so familiar to her that her chest ached.

"Don't be sad. It's not your fault."

Those words felt heavy on her heart. Why would he say such a thing? Sky knew perfectly well that everything that had gone wrong between them was her fault, and so did Cody. So why would he say that it wasn't? It made no sense. The memory of his tears, of the way his voice had trembled when he spoke, twisted something into a tight knot in Sky's gut. Something wasn't right—

I should call him. But— he's not gonna pick up, is he? I bet he's blocked my number.

"There you are, I was looking for you," Hawk's voice startled Sky, and she turned around, her heart in her throat. He was walking towards her, a happy grin on his lips, looking handsome as ever in his yellow hoodie and black sweats, the red of his mohawk so bright that it was almost blinding. Sky's heart jumped against her breastbone at the sight of him. Valentine's Day. Right. Our date— But something kept her from answering Hawk's smile. She'd been staring after Cody's car only for a couple of heartbeats, but the cold stone of wrongness had already settled in her gut, erasing her happiness.

"Ummm— was there something you wanted to talk about?" Sky asked, gripping the straps of her backpack as she glanced over her shoulder. Cody's car was already gone, nowhere to be seen, and she tried to shake the nameless worry that thought caused.

"I just— I wanted to make sure you remembered our plans." Nervous pink spots appeared on Hawk's high cheekbones. "And to ask if you... if you still want to come? I mean, it's okay to say no too. If you feel like this is too much, too soon—"

"No, don't be silly, of course, I remember. And of course, I want to come. It's Valentine's Day."

The worried look on Hawk's face melted into a relieved smile, the corner of his mouth turned into that crooked grin Sky loved so much. Valentine's Day. And their first date— She was ready, at least she wanted to be. All the math lessons with Hawk had been great (if you didn't count the math part), but she craved more, she craved his touch, his kisses, his love—

Whatever Hawk had planned for tonight was going to be beautiful, Sky was sure of it. Their date would be nothing short of amazing. Sky didn't really feel like she deserved anything amazing after what she had done to Cody, but that was beside the point. She had made her choice. It was Hawk she was spending this Valentine's Day with, and that was the way she had wanted it, wasn't it? She really needed to stop thinking about Cody already, the way his lips had brushed her cheek, the tears on his face, the tremor in his voice, the way he had run away from her—

Hawk cleared his throat, drawing Sky's attention back to the moment. "Good, so— my place at six? Do you want me to pick you up, or—?"

"No, It's fine. I'll be there. Should I bring something?"

"Just bring yourself," Hawk grinned. "And I hope you're hungry."

"Oh, so we're having dinner?"

"Not just any dinner," Hawk flashed her the cocky grin that made something in her stomach turn hot and restless. "Something special."

Something special— That sounded so nice, Hawk's smile was so nice, everything was so fucking nice except for her, except for the way she couldn't stop thinking about what Cody had said. Don't be sad. It's not your fault. She bit down on her lower lip, and gripping the straps of her backpack a bit harder, she glanced at the road again, in the direction where Cody had taken off. He had left so fast— like he was running away from something or someone. What he had said to her had sounded like a goodbye—