ma

, talking to each other, seemingly unaware of the girl

f maybe I should tell him how I felt. Maybe Jessic

drunker than

just what I needed to gain

." I

eared surpr

self up. "Yeah, I'm going to do it. You're righ

ed. "That's my girl! What ar

before saying, "I'm...not sure. I

Love it. Flawless. Now, get o

and kept walking toward Ryan. Jason was distracted talking to a girl, so I wa

aimed, stoppi

nd gave me a confused

hting down another giggle that was bubb

much," he

happy to

sn't able to tell what it was, it was there and go

shrugged, his to

hout thinking. I got momentarily distracted by the

ith an amused, little smile

g out," he teased

was basically just feelin

h I didn't drop my hand. "

ppreciate the concern, b

kle in your forehead that you alway

dn't realize

pens when you're conce

ok like I'm plo

etim

a lot of insight into me, it seems. I'm c

g like an idiot. But I was also talking to Ryan with

laughter. "I'm a Ja

ou just have this incredible drive and focus. It's like

eral moments, his expr

w me, huh? I didn't realize you were

He'd never looked at me that way before. It made my

ed to choke out, "

e. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and it made

rmured, almost to himsel

ed down at my thin, flat bod

he blinked and cleared his throa

g you wanted?" he a

if I could talk to

rprise but slowly nodded.

at, I turned to lead h

actually following me and th

. So many things raced through my mind, but I couldn't see

e forest. The sounds of the party dulled,

moonlight that managed to filter in through the trees above. He was wa

t and scratched ne

kled in a rumbling voice that made me s

I wanted to tell you...that is, I wante

ot up. "A bi

birthday wish, and only y

earing amused. "Well, color m

s," I

ere was a moment of tense sil

mmered, "You...

d in a softer voice

with a tense chuckle. "That's cu