The World is Ugly, but You are Beautiful to Me

Chapter 26

Peter, after kindly paying for our dinners, drops me off at my house and walks me to the door, though I almost wish that he didn't.

"Thank you for tonight, I had a great time," I smile.

"So did I. When can I see you again?" Peter responds.

"Um, I don't know. I'm not a busy person. Just text me when you have time."

Peter nods instead of responding. He steps closer to me, making my heart flutter in my chest. Is he going to kiss me? Do I even want him to kiss me?

I don't have much time to consider this, for Peter leans into me and I know that his mouth is headed towards mine. I don't think I can, or even want to turn away from his lips. But I also don't know if I want to be this way with Peter.

My body seems to know what it wants even though my mind doesn't, and my lips connect with his. Warmth flows throughout my body, though the kiss only lasted for a second. I can feel my cheeks tinting pink as we pull away from each other.

"I'll see you soon," I say in a hushed tone.

"Bye," Peter smirks and leaves me standing on my porch with a stupid grin on my face.

**

"Hey, Kat, how was your evening yesterday?" Logan asks me on the bus, implementing my new nickname.

"Good, how was yours?"

"Eh. What did you do?"

I don't know what to say to that. Logan definitely doesn't like Peter. "I hung out with Peter." I decide to tell the truth.

"Oh," Logan says. His face is so empty, as if he already knew and had prepared himself to be let down. "So are you two a thing now?"

"I don't think so," I say, uncertainty in my voice.

"I'm sure he thinks you are."

"We're friends. I'm not that close with him." I say. We kissed, yes, but we're not official. Even if we were, I'm not sure if I would want to tell Logan. "Anyways, what did you do yesterday?"

"Nothing. It was very boring," he sighs.

"I'm sorry to hear that." I bite my lip, unsure of what to do. This entire bus ride has been so awkward. I can feel the anger radiating off of Logan's skin, yet his voice is completely monotone.

As Logan puts on his headphones I turn my head to look out the window, glad for the distraction.

**

It's weird to be friends with someone who is popular. I have somehow managed to befriend Chelsea, and it's so.. different. She always knows everything about everyone. She's always talking about something and she's always everywhere you go.

So of course she knows about my dinner date with Peter. Peter had probably told her about it this morning or something.

As we walk to fifth period it's all she can talk about. "You're so lucky! Peter is so hot! Please tell me you're gonna go out with him again!" She exclaims.

I laugh at her enthusiasm. "But don't you think he's... old?"

"Three years isn't that bad. And hey, he can legally get alcohol and shit."

"True, but I think three years is kind of a lot. And what about school? Doesn't he go to college? Hell, I'll be going to college pretty soon," my frustration grows as I realize that I'll be going to college in less than a year.

"Katharine. Please. Relax. Just enjoy him while you have him!"

"Okay, okay," I finally agree. She's right, I should just let myself enjoy the company of Peter. He's a nice guy, so why am I torturing myself over being with him? If Logan liked me as much as Peter does, he would've done something by now. It's his own fault that he hasn't spoken up.