Clueless | DAERIN

22: unsaid rules

h a e r i n
—

My girlfriend takes a seat beside me at my lab desk, which instantly causes a smile to spread across my face.

Dani and I weren't able to arrive at school together due to her mother victimizing herself and turning it into a whole argument. Using words such as, and I quote, "We just got back from visiting your grandmother. The least you can do is spend a few days with the woman who birthed you."

Honestly, I knew she was going to pull something like that.

"Hey," I greet her happily.

I lean in, intending to give her an 'I missed you' kiss, only for her to quickly turn her head to the side so that I end up kissing her cheek.

Oh.

As I pull away and open my eyes, I instantly frown when I notice the uncomfortable look on her face.

Shit.

Did I do something wrong?

"Is something wrong?" I ask her in a worried tone.

She shakes her head, turning to face me with an awkward smile.

"I don't want to get any lip gloss on you," she assures me, but it sounds off.

Is she lying to me?

My eyes suspiciously trail over her face, analyzing her demeanor.

Wait, why am I doubting her?

Dani is my girlfriend. Even before that, she was my best friend.

Why would she lie to me?

More importantly, why would she lie to me about something as silly as a kiss?

It just doesn't make sense.

I give her a smile and nod my head, choosing to believe her.

She seemingly releases a breath of relief at this reaction, which only adds to my minor suspicions in the back of my mind.

I place my elbow on our lab desk and rest my chin in my palm with a cheesy, lovestruck expression.

"Is your mom okay with you coming home with me this afternoon?" I ask her curiously.

She rolls her eyes at the mention of her mother but smiles when her eyes land on my face.

In a sense, she sort of mirrors my expression in a way.

"Please, like she would be able to stop me," she says softly.

I'm assuming she's staying quiet so that none of our classmates hear our conversation, though I doubt they even care.

I can't help but wonder if she's possibly paranoid.

I mean, first she wouldn't let me kiss her, and now she's speaking quietly.

I shouldn't doubt my trust in her.

This could easily just be some big misunderstanding.

I laugh at her answer before giving her a small smile.

She looks so incredibly beautiful today.

I mean, she always looks unearthly beautiful, but today she looks more like a sun goddess than usual.

Her blonde hair is tied up in a taut high ponytail, her loose curls softly ending behind her shoulders.

This hairstyle makes her face appear more slim, accentuating her cheekbones.