In The Backseat

Chapter 14: Forbidden Touches

Is this real life? Or have I somehow stumbled into some alternate dimension where Calitrope, queen of casual indifference, dragged me into a hidden corner to kiss me with enough heat to make my head spin? Because that actually happened, right? It wasn't some over-caffeinated daydream or a mirage from inhaling too many pheromones in the kissing booth line?

No, it had to be real. I can still feel her lips against mine, the pressure of her hands on my waist, holding me close like she wasn't about to let go. And it wasn't just any kiss-it was the kind of kiss that makes you forget your own name. That throws you so far off-balance you can barely remember where you are. I touched my lips, still half-dazed as I wandered through the event chaos. What the hell just happened?

But of course, before I could make any sense of it, poof! Adrianna popped up next to me and I nearly jumped, her eyebrows knitted in frustration as she scanned my face.

"Venici!" she huffed, looking at me like I'd just popped out of thin air. "There you are! You know, you have a nasty habit of disappearing on me, girl. One second you're next to me, and the next, poof-gone. What the hell happened to you?"

My lips parted, ready to explain, but the words stuck. How was I supposed to tell her that I'd just been kissed senseless by the very girl everyone was now lining up to kiss? That was definitely not part of the plan.

"Uh..." I stammered, feeling my cheeks flush. "Just... needed some air?"

She squinted at me, clearly skeptical, but thankfully didn't press any further. Instead, she grabbed my arm, pulling me back toward the main booth area. "Come on, the kissing booth is about to open, and I want front-row seats for the inevitable spectacle."

I let her drag me, trying to suppress a grin as I fell in line with her. The irony of waiting for Calitrope in the kissing booth, of all places, hit me like a brick. After what just happened? I couldn't help it-my mind kept drifting back to that secluded corner, to the way Calitrope's lips had felt, the way she'd looked at me like she'd been waiting to do that for as long as I had.

And then she just left, I thought, still reeling. The line for the kissing booth was already massive, and as we got closer, I could feel the impatience radiating off everyone around us. Students were practically buzzing with anticipation, half the girls practically vibrating with excitement. I mean, she was Calitrope, the campus enigma, the untouchable crush everyone wanted to be close to. And now? She'd be accessible in the most lip-locking way possible.

We stood there, Adrianna bouncing on her heels with the thrill of impending drama, when suddenly, there was a collective groan from the line, rippling like a shockwave. I looked toward the booth, barely able to see over the heads of everyone crammed in front of us. And then, a familiar laugh reached my ears-Adrianna, absolutely losing it.

"Oh, no way," she said, looking both amused and annoyed. "Guess who's filling in as the new main attraction?"

And then I saw him. Adam. Standing there with his signature, over-the-top smile, practically preening as he waved at the crowd, clearly thrilled with his moment in the spotlight.

"Goddamn it, Calitrope," Adrianna muttered, clearly impressed, crossing her arms as she leaned closer. "The girl Houdini'd her way out of the whole thing last minute. Looks like you're not getting that kiss after all, huh?"

If she only knew. But I did get the kiss, I thought, the memory of it sending a warm flush through me, the secret thrilling me as I bit my lip. My face must have given me away because Adrianna narrowed her eyes, looking suspicious. But before she could say anything, we were swept up in the commotion of disappointed fans, everyone buzzing over Calitrope's unexpected exit from the kissing booth. The buzz turned into complaints, some girls straight-up stomping their feet and muttering angrily, while others gawked at Adam like they'd been tricked into a scam. And I knew-I knew-Calitrope's fanbase wasn't going to let this go without a lot of dramatic outrage.