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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