hot to go • hailey van lith

Chapter One

A year later

Clare hoped that the girl that she had just stopped in the hallway was okay with what just happened.

She was awfully shocked and confused for a minute, which Clare couldn't really blame her for, considering the situation. It was an incredibly embarrassing, discomforting, and Clare would go as far to say agonizing moment. Clare had one of her hands interlocked with this girl and the other on her waist. She was maybe about an inch or so taller than her, so she was perfectly level with her ocean eyes.

To a bystander, their position must have looked unnatural and weird, which made Clare feel awfully stupid. She knew that Elysia was coming back to their dorm building right at this time – as she did every night. She didn't actually see her yet, but she knew she would be there. There was never a night that Elysia didn't come home at this time. Elysia wasn't stupid. In fact, she was very smart. And she had dating experience. She would know that Clare was full of shit.

But suddenly, the excruciating while shifted and became not so excruciating. The girl in Clare's clutches had become less stiff and her muscles had relaxed, her posture becoming more smooth and comfortable. She slid her hand around Clare's back, pulling her body closer to hers so that their fronts were touching, appearing more like two girls who were attracted to each other. The girl's hand was warm as it found a home on Clare's hip.

The moment around them had changed. It became... enjoyable. So enjoyable that Clare forgot why she and this stranger were in this position in the first place, forgot just moments earlier when she'd approached the girl walking down the hallway and stopped her, asking, "Hey, do you mind looking like you're interested in me?"

She acknowledged that it was a very weird and dumb thing to say. She'd never seriously dated anyone before! She didn't know how people went about those things. The girl was confused, but she did nod, and that was when Clare made her move. Then, she said, "Sorry. I'm trying to convince my friend I'm seeing someone."

After getting lost in the moment, Clare got nervous again. This girl might not even be into girls – she could be making her uncomfortable. Clare got lost in her thoughts, slowly beginning to panic when the girl pressed her soft lips against hers.

The breath was sucked from Clare's lungs – literally and figuratively. She didn't know kissing someone could feel thatgood. Clare all but liquified in this girl's strong arms. Her hands had a mind of their own as they slid upwards, into the girl's long, smooth blonde hair.

The sensible part of Clare finally snapped into place, getting in gear. She pulled away from The Girl and looked over her shoulder. The dorm hallway was empty. How long was she kissing The Girl for? My god, they'd been lost in their little moment for at least ten minutes. That was enough time for Elysia to see and go into her dorm.

Her clear blue eyes traveled back to an almost identical pair of blue eyes. The Girl's lips were swollen and her breath was slightly quicker than normal. She was utterly beautiful... and familiar?

Oh my god.

Clare began panicking. She just kissed Hailey Van Lith.

Hailey Van Lith.

The same Hailey Van Lith that was a basketball star for the LSU Tigers. Oh my god. She was an idiot! How did she not realize sooner? She'd gotten a good look at the girl numerous times. She should have known.

Clare's roommate, Dolly, was on the basketball team and told Clare about Hailey often. She was very dedicated and serious. Oh no. Oh no no no. Clare had just made a mistake. Hailey was very popular, and she wasn't even into girls (as far as Clare knew) and if anyone besides Elysia had seen, they might be in big trouble.

Clare had just kissed Hailey Van Lith.

No matter how many times she said it, she still didn't believe it, feeling as if she were trapped in an endless, tortuous fever dream. Of all people, why did it have to be Hailey Van Lith that walked in front of her right at that moment? She didn't want to damage Hailey's reputation, or out her to the whole school if she wasn't out or wasn't even into girls in the first place.

But also, Clare didn't want her own name spread around everywhere. She'd stayed relatively low-key at LSU, and she would like to keep it that way. Drama wasn't her thing. It made her anxious. Especially being at the very center of it, the very reason it was even occurring. Oh god. She was going to have a panic attack in front of Hailey Van Lith. Who she'd just kissed.

Well, technically, Hailey kissed her, and she really didn't know if that made it better or worse.

An awkward silence ensued. A very, very awkward silence.

Hailey finally cut it with a knife. Her face and beauty was beyond intimidating. Clare was about an inch taller than Hailey, yet she was still intimidated. A frown took over Hailey's pretty– and very kissable– lips.

"Care to explain why that whole thing just happened?" Hailey asked, raising a perfect brow.

"I told you." Clare said, "I'm trying to convince my friend I'm seeing someone."

"I'm going to need more details than that, sweetheart." Hailey's beautiful voice spoke, making a chill run down Clare's spine. If she wasn't sure about her sexuality before, she certainly was now.

Clare sighed, her shoulders sagging. "She's in a perfect relationship. I have never been in a relationship. I've never dated at all, really. I wanted to show her that I could have what she has. It was stupid, I know. I'm very sorry."

Hailey's eyes suddenly doubled in size. "Was that your first kiss?"

"No!" Clare exclaimed. "I've kissed people before. Just never been seriously romantically involved before."

Hailey let out a sigh of relief. "Okay. I would feel like a major ass if that was your first kiss."

"I'm sorry for involving you in this. Truly. You never have to see me again. Let's forget it happened?" Clare raised her brows hopefully, reaching out to place a hand on Hailey's wrist.

Hailey tilted her head, considering Clare for a moment. Clare couldn't tell if she was intimidated or turned on. Or both. Definitely both. Her eyes slowly traveled down to where Clare's hand touched her skin, and then back up.

The longer Hailey was silent, however, the more anxious Clare got. "Okay, I've got to get going now. I'm sorry again, Hailey!" she called over her shoulder as she turned and ran down to her dorm room, not even realizing that she'd just revealed that she knew who Hailey was, to Hailey herself.

Clare was a woman on a mission, running into her room, and dropping onto her bed with a thud. She screamed into her pillow, thankfully Dolly wasn't home yet. What had she done?