She doesn't budge.

I softly kick her shoe with mine.

She finally lifts her head. Her eyes widen when she sees that it's me, and slowly, but surely, her lips begin to spread into a smile.

"Can I sit?"

She nods, her smile getting wider.

"Am I interrupting your reading?"

She leans forward, looks back down at her e-reader and shakes her head.

I sit next to her and stretch my arm behind her, wanting to be closer... remembering how she felt in my arms. I've thought about it a lot, but I've also thought about what happened afterwards—the shit with her dad and how she acted because of it. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

And something tells me that 'I'm fine' is her go-to line. Her go-to lie.

I raise my hand and tilt her chin with my finger so I can actually see her face.

Her cheeks burn red and I fake a confidence that doesn't exist. Leaning in slowly, I place my lips on hers. She smiles against them, but pulls away quickly, eyeing our surroundings.

I push back the slight feeling of rejection and move on. "What are you reading?"

"Nothing."

"You can't be reading nothing. What is it?"

"It's just about a boy and girl falling in love."

"Yeah? Is the guy a stud? Is his name Cameron?"

She laughs, the sound so powerful it drowns out all other sounds. "No."

"Read me some."

"No."

"Come on. I wanna know what this kid does that makes you so drawn to the story."

"No," she says again. "I'm not reading to you. That's weird."

"Fine." I lean in so I can read over her shoulder.

We're close. Too close. My nose grazes her cheek, and my lips follow. I kiss her cheek; the warmth from her blush heats my lips. She's frozen, like she was on Saturday night, and I love that I have that effect on her. My lips brush down her cheek and into the crook of her neck, where I kiss her again.

She jerks back quickly.

And I can't ignore the rejection the second time. "You not into public kissing?"

"No," she says. "It's not that..." Her nose scrunches. "I mean, I don't know if I am. It's just that I don't really know what this is yet... you and me. I think I just need some time to figure it out. And you know me... you know my life... you see how things are for me. I don't know if I can—"

"Okay," I cut in. "Take your time. Decide what you want. But just so you know—none of that means anything to me—your life, I mean. It doesn't change the fact that I want you." I pause, replaying the words in my head. I just told her I wanted her. I should feel embarrassed, or at least awkward, but I don't. "I'll wait for you, Luce, until you're ready. Just tell me now, so I don't sit around getting my hopes up... do you think that maybe someday you'll want me, too?"

She bites her bottom lip and looks around again. Then she lifts her e-reader and reaches up to my face, her e-reader blocking us from the rest of the world. She kisses me softly, and longer than I expected. "Yes," she says, pulling away.

I can't help grinning like an idiot. "Good."

She leans in closer so our sides are flush against each other. It's a sign—her way of showing me that she wants me without having to say a word.

I hear Logan and Jake talking loudly as they walk past. Logan stops in his tracks at the sight of us. I want to hide her from him. I don't want him to know who or what she is to me. He smirks, right before he starts humping the air. I shake my head at him.

"Your friends are idiots," she giggles, but her eyes are cast downwards, focused on her e-reader again.

"Yeah, they kind of are." I watch as her eyes move from side to side.

"So I have practice after school, I'll come by right after."

She switches it off and shoves it in her bag. "Baseball practice?"

"Yeah."

"Okay... so you'll be hungry after, right?"

I laugh. "Most likely."

She gets on her knees and throws her backpack over her shoulders. "Good. I'll make extra for you." Her eyes search the area around us, and when she's satisfied no one can see, she places both hands on my shoulders and pushes me against the wall.

My eyes widen in surprise.

"Just a quick goodbye kiss," she says, before moving in and giving it to me.

***

"I hate that guy," Logan jerks his head toward Jake and a new kid.

"The new kid? Dylan?"

He nods. "He thinks he owns the school."

"Really?" I glare over at them. "Apparently he kills it on the basketball court, but I dunno." I shrug. "He hasn't said two words to me. He seems quiet."

"Those are the ones you have to worry about, Cam. The quiet broody assholes get all the girls. Better watch him around that new girl of yours."

I play dumb. "What new girl?"

"Shut up, asshole. You don't think I notice you watching her all the fucking time?"

I lift my chin. "I think if there's an asshole in this entire school to watch out for, it's you."

He laughs and adjusts his cap. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm not into stealing my friend's girls." He shoves his hand in his catcher's glove and smacks my arm with it. "Say the word. Claim her. I promise to stay away and I'll make sure she's untouchable to everyone else."