Page 167 - The Life of A Teenage Girl (Stories About Finding Your Way)
P. 167
UNDERNEATH IT ALL
He nodded. “Yeah. But Jorelle, the truth is… I like you. When I’m
mean, it’s usually because I have feelings I don’t know how to handle.”
I was stunned. Caleb—with all his arrogance and cruelty—actually
liked me? And we were supposed to be enemies?
“You like me? Since when?” I asked, still trying to process it.
“Since I dumped that slime on your head. I felt terrible afterward
and realized you didn’t deserve it. And when you suddenly made that
shot in basketball practice, my feelings got worse, I guess.”
I hesitated. “Do you really mean that?”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. But I have feelings for you—and it’s
okay if you don’t feel the same.”
The truth was, I did like him. Ever since kindergarten, when people
used to ship us, I’d secretly had a crush. Even after he became cruel
and played pranks, I never stopped liking him—I just kept it hidden.
So I smiled and said, “No, I actually do like you.”
He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Really?”
“Yes. But does that mean you’ll finally stop the pranks and
teasing?”
“Of course.”
I brushed his cheek with a soft kiss and smiled. He blushed and
returned the gesture with a kiss on my lips. I think I blushed even
harder.
Then he said, “By the way, you look stunning in that dress.”
I smiled warmly. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Thanks. Now, shall we head back to the dance and start fresh?”
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