The Perks of Being a Freak (Editing)

71. Slumber Party

The next time I was walking through downtown at night, which is actually a really stupid thing to do, I met the others. 

I blinked, and Jaeb was in front of me, grinning cruelly.

Then I was on my back on the sidewalk, staring up at the stars.

“Hello to you, too,” I growled, climbing to my feet.

Jaeb punched me again, this time in the eye.

I wasn’t going to fight them.

Mitchell, without using his super strength (thank God), kicked me in the thigh. I scrunched up my face.

“I’m not going to fight you,” I told them, limping backwards. I caught Simon’s eye, and glared. He stared back apologetically. I frowned.

“Wimp,” Jaeb laughed and yanked at my braid. The hair tie snapped and the plait unravelled. I shook it out of my face and turned to walk away.

“I’m not going to fight you,” I repeated, and turned into the first open store that I saw.

When I managed to make it home, it was nearly one in the morning, and I was pissed. I didn’t even bother stopping by in my room. I just leapt up on top of my roof, crossed my arms, and stared down at the boy who crouched there.

Simon looked apologetically up at me, and I sighed and slumped next to him.

“They hate me,” I informed him tiredly.

“I know,” he replied.

“Can you stop them from kicking my ass next time?” I know that I was being a little bitchy, but I couldn’t help it. My face hurt. My thigh was throbbing. Even without using his strength, Mitchel could kick.

“I’m sorry, Jewel,” Simon hung his head.

“That doesn’t mean I’m not angry,” I shook my head, hair still loose. Annoyed, I reached back and caught it in a ponytail before bringing it all over my right shoulder. I shivered and rubbed at my arms. It was so, so cold. When Simon noticed my shivering, he unzipped his sweatshirt and draped it over my shoulders, ignoring my protests.

“What can I do to make it up to you?” Simon no longer looked remorseful. Now he looked downright mischievous. 

I had the weirdest sense of deja vu when I opened my mouth to answer and ended up with Simon’s lips covering my own.

After a second, he pulled away and grinned at me. I frowned deeper, and he kissed me again.

This time when he pulled away, I had to fight to keep from smiling a little.

“I’m going to keep kissing you until you smile and forgive me,” Simon threatened.

“I’m hearing a lot of talk,” I puckered my lips to emphasize my point, and he captured them again.

Again and again Simon kissed me, until I was reeling from loss of oxygen, and a goofy grin was plastered across both of our faces.

“Do you mind if I stay here tonight?” Simon whispered. “I’m kind of pissed at the other two.”

Suddenly my lungs felt tight, and my cheeks were burning. Simon wanted to stay here? With me? With me?

Simon caught sight of my blazing face and blanched.

“Not like that!” He hastened to assure me, and I buried my face in my hands in embarrassment. Of course not. I was an idiot for thinking that Simon would want to be with me like that.

An arm snaked around my waist and pulled me to his side. Warm breath tickled my ear. “I mean, if you’d like…” He pressed a kiss to my neck, right under my ear, and my breath hitched.

Oh.

Maybe he would like… that.

I opened my mouth to tell him off, tell him that I wasn’t ready to… y’know… do the… sex.

But then I snapped my jaw shut.

Maybe I was ready. Maybe I really wanted to.

But did I trust him enough? 

I still didn’t know the answer to that.

And that was answer enough.

“There will be none of that,” I told him, trying to keep my cool. Which was hard, because the temperature seemed to shoot up every time his skin brushed my own.

Simon grumbled under his breath, but followed me down through the vent. It took a little bit of creative twisting, but we managed to fit Simon inside. Partially thanks to his runners build.

That night I fell asleep with Simon on the other side of the bed. I don’t know when in the night we moved together, but when I woke up, it was a quarter past two in the morning, and I had my head on his chest. Warm arms wound around me, and one of my legs was thrown over both of his. I considered pulling away, but Simon was too warm and too comfortable.

So I smiled, snuggled closer, and fell back asleep.