In Dead Men's Shoes

Chapter 27

Catalina had never acted like this before around me. First the staring, and now the leaning in closer. It was very likely David had gotten her tipsy before they left to come to the dance, but I would never have the guts to ask such a thing. Anyhow, everybody was their own kind of tipsy on school dance night. Drunk on the idea of being dumb, carefree, teenagers for a night, looking hot for two hours before you sweat off your makeup dancing, messing around with all your friends - not like I could particularly relate to that part - it could take away a person's inhabitions.

I pressed my lips together tightly and ran my tongue around the inside edge, letting her words sink into me. I let them register slowly, because if I realized their implications too soon, I might have physically melted on the spot. Like a snowman, in a not-so-winter-y wonderland.

Catalina pulled away. "You look really pretty tonight, Jess," she said.

She said each word with a grounded intention, as though she had weighted that sentence all night, analyzed the sight of me, perhaps, just to come to that one decision. I could feel the sincerity of her sentence in my bones. With the way she said it, it sounded like so much more than just a compliment.

But I said, in return, "Thank you." She smiled at me, softly, all frosted lips and green-glazed eyes and crinkled, glittery tulle. To tell the truth, it was possible I legitimately had a crush on a fairy.

"You too," I said. Her gaze landed on mine and then fluttered away. I could still feel my pulse in my wrists, ticking like a clock out of time as we sat in silence.

Catalina shivered, and I laughed, although I wanted to bite it back immediately.

"What?" Catalina looked up at me, eyes sparkling as she held her prickling arms. "Something funny?"

"No, no," I said. "I just don't get how you're cold. I'm like burning up in this thing." I gestured to my jacket. "It's so warm."

"Well, it is freezing out here in the real world, Jess."

I grinned and, after a moment of thought, started to take off the jacket. "You can have my jacket, then. I don't need it."

Catalina's brilliant smile dimmed. "Oh, you don't need to -"

"Seriously, it's way too warm for me. Take it." I shrugged the thing off and handed it over. 

"Well, okay. Thanks," Catalina said, taking it into her arms. I looked down as she slipped into the white, regal coat, and I felt just a moment of regret watching the most winter-y queen part of my ensemble fall into someone's arms. But the feeling quickly went away once Catalina had donned it herself, and flashed me a smile. "It is very warm," she said. "Also, it kind of smells like you." She nudged her chin towards the collar of the jacket, inhaling.

I laughed, even though I felt more on the verge of a panic attack. "Really? What do I smell like?"

"I don't know," Catalina said, grinning. "A little lavender-y, I guess." She hesitated. "Also, like home. You smell like home."

"Weirdly, that is one of the most heartfelt things anyone has ever said to me." 

"Well, I mean it." 

At that very moment. the two side doors to the gym burst open, and David came through the two of them, looking particularly aggravated. "Catalina, you said you would only be a minute. What's going on? And why is she here?" he gestured to me as if I couldn't speak for myself. It was unimaginable why such a kind-hearted girl like Catalina would ever date a douchebag like David. Just one minute with him made me want to punch him in the throat. And I would have done it, if there were no repercussions.