The Bet

Chapter 19

Riley's POV

I rush out the door and got into James's truck. It's Friday, and ever since Monday, he has been driving me to school and back home again.

It was sweet of him, actually, but I'm still not sure how I feel about him. He still hasn't 'proven' that he actually wants to go out with me yet either.

"There's an assembly last period by the way." James says.

"Oh, for what?" I ask.

"Nothing new, just about the school ciriculum. We have it every year. It's boring." He explains.

"Yeah, it does seem pretty boring." I agree.

"But I think this year it will be a little more interesting." He says with a smirk.

~~~~~

I took a seat in the gymnasium for the assembly.

I haven't seen James all lunch and I don't see him now either.

"Hello students!" The principal calls out. A chorus of mutters and murmurs follow from the students.

"Well, let's get on with the presentation!" She says loudly. But the , James comes running in through the doors, and runs up to the front.

"James Kennedy, what do you think-" The principal begins to scold, but is cuts off by a banner dropping down from the ceiling, hanging. My eyes widen while I read it.

"Riley Marin, will you go out with me?
-James"

James smiles proudly at his piece of work. Everyone looks back at me, snickering, laughing, or giving me dirty looks out of jealousy.

I felt so embarrassed. I got up from my chair and dart out of the room.

James's POV

"James! I swear-" The principal begins to yell, but I chase after Riley before she could finish.

"Riley!" I call out, still running after her. I run faster, until I've finally caught up to her. I grab her by her tiny waist, making her stop.

"How could you embarass me like that?" She cries.

"Riley-"

"I've never been so humiliated in my entire life!" She shrills.

"Riley-"

"I-"

I cut her off. Not verbally, but more passionately. I cup her face in my hands and kiss her. Softly, sweetly, but still with everything I had in me. She tenses up, startled, but she slowly begins to kiss back. I break the kiss and stare deep into her eyes.

"You wanted...Me to prove...That I wanted...To go out with you." I say, trying to catch my breath. "I probably just risked getting kicked off the football team, and a load of detentions. Is that enough proof?"

She stares back at me, probably letting it all sink in. I watch, breathing hard, as a smile began to form on her lips.

"I think it is." She says. She slowly wraps her hands around my neck, pulling me closer so our lips connect once again.