across my bed with a wicked grin. "This party i
es. "You know I can't. My parents
nts don't have to know. Just say you're staying at my place t
foreign, like it
voice lilting with mischief, "this
pped. "What
him what he's been missing. Trust me, Lizzie-g
their way into my already fra
rom the corner of the room. "I've al
k. The tight jeans clung to my legs like a second skin, and the crop top
. "You look amazing. Daniel's going
ered, tugging at t
ng my hands away. "You look i
r-or myself-but I let her
•
vibrating through the floorboards. I clung to Stephanie l
aid, laughing.
s-they all felt amplified in the dim l
ghting up the room. He looked perfect, as always, his effo
tephanie whispered,
at?
ur moment," she sai
d to cross the room. Daniel looked up as I app
h," he said, h
ered, feeling m
ight," he said, his gaze ling
ed, twisting my f
ed beside me, her usual confident grin in place. "
smile widening. "I was won
warmth he'd shown me moments ago was gone, replaced by
added, his voice
ing him a dazzling smile.
e face, but what came next shattere
ng?" Daniel asked, lean
said, tilt
nie," he said, his
room spinning as his w
ught off guard. "Oh . . . um,
er. Mumbling an excuse, I bolted for
me outside, her face a mi
ie, w
to face her. "What
arms. "I didn't know he
trembling. "You knew he didn't
"You built this whole thing up in your head, Liz
eeper than I th
ven my friend?
ause you're smart," she said finally. "You're brilliant, Lizzie. That's why I kept y
lace. The homework. The compliments. The s
" I said, my
Don't be so dramatic. You're
respond.
s was everywhere: Daniel and St
g my head down and pretending not t
niel finally aske
perfect t
een flirti
each one a painful remin
llapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceil
hope, my heart-and for what? To be left
deep in my chest, anothe
rmin
sed myself one thing: I would never le