Now & Then (A Newland High School story)

11:00 pm

"Okay, I think you can get up off the floor now."

Aric doesn't move. "I think I'll just wait until they go to bed, or I may just have an actual heart attack."

I lie down on my side, facing him. "Suit yourself."

He rolls toward me. "So how was tonight?"

"It was nice. Charity tournaments are always more fun, and I think we raised a ton of money."

"I wish I could have been there, cheering you on."

"Well maybe don't get caught smoking pot in the bathroom at a basketball game next time."

He shakes his head. "Mr. Greenwood is such a dick. I was a sophomore. I didn't even think to use air freshener. But to ban me from all school events forever? Even after graduation? Asshole."

"Really?" I place my hand on his chest. "Did it really break your heart?"

"Back then? Hell no." He grins. "But now? When I think of all the times I missed seeing you in your cheerleading outfit, I can't think of a worse punishment."

I roll my eyes. "What is it with you and that skirt?"

"It's not the skirt." He slides his hand down my side until he reaches my bottom and then pulls me to him, our bodies touching. "It's the person underneath the skirt." His hand continues down my leg, bending my knee until it's around his waist. "I picture you there, smiling, doing your little flips, holding those papery, circle things—"

"Pom-poms," I tell him.

"Right." His hand is on my thigh, his fingers running swirls over my bare skin. "And no one has any idea how bad you can really be."

"You do."

He bites his bottom lip, sucking in a breath. "That's right. I do."

And then he kisses me, his hand leaving my leg to rest on my neck. I savor the feel of him against me, the feel of his lips and his hands on me.

We both pull away at the same time. We know it can't go farther than kissing.

I lie on my back, needing to talk about something. "How'd you get here tonight?"

He stays on his side, gazing down at me. "Ian dropped me off. Bailey says hi by the way."

I pop to my elbows. "Bailey Rogers knows you're here? Her parents know mine. What if she tells them?"

"She's not going to tell her parents. Bailey's cool."

"I hope you're—"

I'm silenced as my door swings open. "Lilly?" My mom's voice.

Sitting up quickly, I see her standing in the doorway. "Hi mom."

"What are you doing on the floor?"

In my periphery, I can see that Aric has stopped moving—and possibly breathing. And without making it obvious, I ensure that he is still completely hidden. But I need to get up before she walks any further into this room.

"Just looking for something under my bed." I practically hop into a standing position, risking one glance at Aric, mentally saying Good luck. You may never see me again.

"What is it?" My mom asks.

I say the first thing that pops in my head. "My cheer uniform."

"I told you I was getting that cleaned, sweetie."

"Oh right!" Too enthusiastic. I need to calm it down. "I must have forgotten."

She gives me a confused look before shaking her head, almost like trying to clear her mind. "I just wanted to let you know that we're going to bed. Are you planning on the same?"

Her tone tells me that there is only one correct answer. "Yep. Very soon."

"Great. Goodnight Lilly."

"'Night Mom."

She smiles and walks away, shutting the door behind her. I don't move for a few seconds, just to be safe before going to check on the most likely dead boy on my floor.

Aric's eyes are closed, and for a second I wonder if he actually is dead, but then he moves his hand to plop onto his chest.

"Never will I ever come over this early again."