TANGLED PLANS

28

I'm sitting in front of Justin again the next day. He leans forward on the table and says, "So are you ready for the dance next week?"

The dance was next week, which was exactly eight days away. I didn't know how to feel. The girls were amplifying my excitement by telling me how lucky I was to be able to go. They were on a fast hunt to find a junior that would take them to the dance as well. So far, they were at a loss, and I have been feeling kind of sad about them not being able to come.

I let a smile out and said, "Yeah, I have a dress and..." And Max was going to come over to my house tonight to learn how to dance with me. Not with me—he had invited my brother and his girlfriend to come as well. This was more of a small get-together than anything else.

I trail off with a shrug that I chuckle through. Justin leans his head forward on the table and steals a kiss from me. It's been over a few days since we have been kissing, and so far, it has gotten better. Sure, Justin tends to like to kiss me rough without warning at times, but it was okay. He pulls away from the kiss and looks behind my shoulder.

His eyes are searching for a second before he trains them back on me. "So, where are your brother and Max?"

"Well, they don't sit with me," I say with a light chuckle as I look at him. He runs a hand through his hair and says, "Well, you know. I wanted to talk to them."

"They're probably going to be busy with finals this week and next," I inform him, and he frowns before shaking his head and sitting back. "Why? Can I speak to them for you?" I ask after realizing that he really wanted to talk to them.

He shakes his head and says, "Nah. It's fine." Nodding, I turn away from him and back to the girls. I wish that there was more excitement between Justin and me.

thewent gone out on another date yesterday, and even then I haven't felt anything between us. A spark, if you will. I'm not sure if it was weird for me to be looking for it. Am I trying to turn this reality into a fantasy? I wasn't sure if it was real—to physically feel excitement. Maybe I should stop searching for things that don't exist, because then I'll be saddened for no reason.

"So, about this dance," Maria starts with dramatic hands up, and I laugh as I join the girls in on their conversation. Talking about the dance was exciting; I just didn't know how it would be to actually go to one.

🌼

"Welcome," I say to Vanessa, whom I had just opened the door for. She smiles at me when she sees me and throws her hands over my shoulders. "Stop being so proper, Daisy. I have been dating your brother for almost three years." I smile when she pulls away as her eyes scan my face.

"You've gotten prettier, Daisy," she compliments me when her eyes meet mine again.

I smile and tuck in a piece of hair behind my ear, feeling somewhat shy. I look at her. Vanessa was a pretty girl with strawberry blonde hair that cascaded down to her waist; her eyes were the color of the grass, so intense and yet pretty; and her smile was always genuine, which made her look prettier.

"And you've always been pretty," I conclude with a short laugh toward the end.

"Isn't she?" I hear the loving voice of my brother (there's a distinct difference in his voice toward her alone and all of us) come from behind her. His hands snake around her waist, and he puts his head on her shoulder. Vanessa leans her head to the side of his, and I smile at them. But then Brayden decides to ruin the cute moment by turning her around smoothly and connecting their lips together.

"Ew," I say, like I'm a little kid, and my brother puts a hand up and dismisses me like he always does. The doorbell rings, which gives me a perfect opportunity to turn away from them and toward the front door. I pull the door open to find Max standing there with a smile on his face. For a second, I studied him: his hair was pushed back from his face, save for a piece, his hands were in his pockets, and his posture was always straight.