Bookstore Bonding

Chapter Twelve.

♡ Sophie ♡
. . .

"Okay, I know you're usually smiley, but damn, you're glowing today," Mariah teases, grinning as we walk down the crowded halls of Mayfield High.

It's been two days since Claire and I hung out, and I can't help but smile just thinking about it. We're headed to the cafeteria for lunch, and even though I haven't seen her since Saturday, I'm already excited.

My friends know all about it because, of course, I gave them the full rundown as soon as I got home.

"I'm not smiley," I protest, but the grin on my face betrays me.

"Sure, and I'm Barney the purple dinosaur," Casey snorts. "Ria, I think the source of our bestie's happiness has something to do with a certain redhead with the initials CM. What do you think?" she giggles.

Mariah giggles too as we pick up our green lunch trays. The cafeteria smells like mystery meat, but all I can think about is seeing Claire.

"I think Sophie's got it bad," Mariah says, smirking as we approach the lunch line.

"Got what bad?" I pout, half-paying attention to my friends as I scan the room—and then I spot her. Claire, with her signature red curls tied half up, half down, is sitting at her usual table, laughing with her friends. She's tossing fries at Harper, who's trying to catch them in her mouth. My heart does this weird, excited flip, and before I know it, I'm walking straight toward her.

"Wait, Soph—where are you going?" Casey hisses behind me, sounding nervous now. But I'm already moving, too focused to turn back.

"Hi, Claire," I say, smiling brightly as I reach her table. The whole group falls silent, staring at me like I've just walked into a private meeting uninvited. I hear Casey trying to shrink behind Mariah.

Claire looks up, surprised, but smiles. "Hey," she says casually, as if this isn't a totally unexpected move from me.

"Are you hiding?" Harper asks, raising an eyebrow in amusement as she peers around Mariah at Casey, who's doing a terrible job of hiding.

"Hiding horribly," Claire adds, snorting before scooting over on the bench to make room for me. I sit down next to her, flashing a quick smile at Lindsey.

"You don't need to hide," Harper grins, her voice dipping into a teasing tone. "I don't bite... unless you want me to."

Mariah and I exchange wide-eyed looks while trying to stifle our laughter. Claire seems amused too, and we all end up giggling.

"So, what's on the menu today?" Mariah asks, wrinkling her nose at her sloppy joe. "What is this, and do they seriously expect us to eat it?"

"Sloppy doesn't even begin to describe this," Harper grimaces, poking at her tray.

"I don't like Joe," Claire mutters, leaning back slightly. That's when I notice the book in her lap. She must've been reading before the fry-throwing started.

"We could always sneak out and get real food," Harper suggests, shrugging.

"All of us sneaking out? That's like begging for detention," Mariah points out. "You know how Ms. Ronalds is. She'd catch on before we even made it out the door."

"Ms. Ronalds needs to get laid," Harper grumbles, and the conversation shifts from complaining about the food to school in general. Claire starts telling me and Mariah a hilarious story about Morgan trying to make her a macaroni necklace—using cooked pasta. As we laugh about it, I realize how close I'm sitting to her. She smells like roses, and her laugh... it's so pretty. It's one of those rare smiles she gives that feels like a reward, and I can't stop watching her.

Before I even realize it, I'm staring, completely entranced. Claire catches me. "You okay?" she asks, raising an eyebrow, her expression soft but curious.

"Uh—" I freeze, my cheeks burning as everyone else at the table shares knowing glances. Somehow, I manage to stammer out a cheerful "yeah," but I'm feeling anything but calm inside. What is it about her that makes me so nervous? When did being her friend turn into... this? When did I cross the line between platonic and something more?

Before Claire can comment on my weird staring, Mariah suddenly gasps, snapping everyone's attention toward her. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot! My parents are going out of town this weekend. I'm thinking of having a sleepover—just close friends. You guys in?"

"All of us?" Lindsey asks, surprised.

We all know each other, but we've never hung out as a group like this. Judging by the smirk on Mariah's face, I know this is more than just a random invite—this is a setup to get Casey and Harper together. I give Mariah a look, and she just shrugs innocently.

"Yeah, all of us," she replies. "And a few girls from cheer."

Lindsey nods slowly. "I'm in."

"Same," I say, not even hesitating.

"Sure, why not," Harper agrees, glancing at Casey, who blushes in response.

After everyone else agrees, we all turn to Claire. She seems lost in thought, but when she notices our gazes, she shrugs. "I'll see..."

"Please?" I flash her my best dimpled smile, hoping—praying—she'll say yes. She chuckles, her eyes twinkling as she leans in and bops me on the nose.

"Not gonna work, Dimples," she says with a grin.

I freeze again, feeling my heart race as the whole table bursts into laughter. My cheeks burn, but I can't help but smile anyway because damn—Claire Mason is really cute.

. . .

OMG. Okay, Sophie's feelings for Claire becoming so apparent during this chapter wasn't planned but WHATEVER my babies are finallyyyyy falling in love.

Question of the chapter: have you guys ever been to a slumberparty? Me personally- hell no. I've been to a few sleepovers but only with the same trusted three people (one of which are related to me and the other two being VERY trusted friends).

Because I have a very complicated, pretty strict homelife- I'm interested in you guy's answers sooo to my readers who love to yap it up- make sure to comment your answer and we'll yap together :)

Don't forget to drink water and vote :) bye bitchessss, love ya.

♡ T A L E Y I A H ♡