Chapter 38

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Luke Callahan was quite probably the best boyfriend on the planet.

He led Mara out of the gymnasium and into the cold December air, giving her his jacket when she shivered just like in the movies.

They headed for the car in quick strides so as to get out of the cold as soon as possible. When she asked how Amir would get home, Luca told her that he was getting a ride with the others to the after party.

"Is that where we're going?" She asked curiously as she slid into the passenger seat.

He shook his head, flashing her a soft smile. "We've got some time to kill. I was hoping you'd like to just go for a drive first."

Her warm smile was answer enough.

He then drove her all around the small town, telling her stories of his childhood along the way. After a while, he checked his watch. "The after party is going to start soon; did you wanna go?"

She grinned at him. "I mean, what's a high school dance without an after-party?"

He rolled his eyes. "Seriously, we don't have to go. People will probably be drinking and doing other dumb stuff."

"You'll have to look after your friends and make sure they don't do anything dumb, then, won't you?"

He huffed. "They could fend for themselves for one night," he argued weakly.

"Come on; it'll be fun. We'll sit there and babysit your friends, and laugh when they do silly things. Besides, I've never been to a high school party before. And if you're there with me, I wouldn't feel nervous to go. We should be fine as long as we stick together."

He sighed, giving in. "You haven't missed out on much, having never been..." he mumbled, taking a turn to head to the party.

***

The party wasn't as bad as Luca made it seem to be.

Sure, people were drinking, but after having been overseas where the legal drinking age was lower, she wasn't too bothered by it. There weren't any drugs being used, which was relieving. Random teens making out here and there did make her uneasy, as well as the way some of the guys looked at her. But she knew that as long as she remained glued to her boyfriend's side, she would be fine.

And that was exactly what she did.

They went around, talked with some people, laughed as they people-watched, and snuggled on the couch together. They saw Mason and Julia appear then disappear upstairs, causing them both to share a knowing cringe. Sarah and Maggie both stopped by and shared excited squeals about the duo's new relationship status. Apparently they had talked at the dance and were now officially dating? She mused to Luca a little later about how fast they moved, and he chuckled.

"I guess it makes sense if Jules waited four years to get him to notice she had feelings," he pondered.

She hummed thoughtfully in response. "Do you think it'll last?"

He nodded. "Mason's had a crush on her for ages; he just didn't realize it until now. I don't know what you did, but I've been trying for the past three years to subtly hint at it and it always went right over his head."

"Guess you never tried not being subtle, then," she replied with a chuckle.

"Oh, is that what you did? You just came right out and told him she liked him?"

"No," she laughed. "He was getting jealous of the guy dancing with her, and I just asked him if he liked her. He had his epiphany then."

He grinned wryly. "In one conversation you manage to do what none of us could in years."

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⏰ Last updated: Nov 17, 2020 ⏰

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