“I could go with you,” Katie says, but I’m already shaking my head no.
“Enjoy your night with Jake and don’t worry about me,” I laugh.
“You’re leaving?” Mitch asks as he comes up behind me.
I try to smile at him. After all, none of this is his fault. He’s been really nice to me. I think back and remember how I was attracted to him at first—even more so than Reed. Funny how things change. Everyone from Jake to Katie, and even Reed, all warned me that Mitch was bad news. Maybe I allowed them to get in my head. Right now, it feels like Reed is the bad news.
“Yeah, I’m not the prom type I don’t think,” I laugh, even though nothing is really funny.
“You can’t leave without giving me another dance, Callie. Because of you I had go stag. You owe me really.”
I shake my head. Mitch did ask me to go with him, but I told him no. After the mess with Reed—with whom I’ve not really talked to since that day over a week ago—I just thought it better to stay far away from any boy with the last name Lane. I saw Reed briefly when I got here, but luckily, Mitch saw me and dragged me out onto the dance floor before Reed could approach. I’ve been here an hour and up until ten minutes ago, I’ve felt Reed glaring at me the entire time—like I’ve done something wrong. He went off on me and yet, I’m the bad guy.
“I just don’t feel much like dancing, Mitch.”
“Give me one more dance, please?” he begs, and I don’t want to, but again, he’s been really great to me—especially this last week. He’s filled a small part of the void created now that Reed and I stopped talking.
“One dance,” I finally agree.
“That’s my girl,” he says, and I roll my eyes. I look back at Katie, noticing that she’s watching Mitch closely. Her eyes find mine. I can tell she’s worried, but Mitch has been a perfect gentleman with me. I’m grateful for him. “You look beautiful tonight, Callie,” Mitch murmurs as we start dancing to a slow song blaring through the gym’s speakers. I feel tense. I know I’m holding myself a little stiff, but although Mitch has been great to me, I can’t help the fact that I don’t trust him completely. How horrible does that make me? I will admit, however, that I do believe in him more now than I did. “You need to stop, Callie.”
“Huh?” I ask, looking up at him.
“Callie, you’re looking all around the room for Reed,” he chastises. His words hurt, but only because I can hear the pity in his voice.
“I’m not—”
“Darlin’,” he murmurs.
“That obvious, huh?” I mumble, blushing.
“It is, but maybe that’s just because I know what’s going on. If you like him that much, why don’t you tell him?” he asks, and I let out a sigh.
“It’s too late. He’s seeing Chasity and I mean, we’re friends. I’m the one that told him that’s all I wanted,” I murmur, sounding pitiful.
“So? Tell him you’ve changed your mind.”
“He’s already dating Chasity, Mitch.”
“Listen, I know I sound like an asshole here because I was with Chasity, but she’s not the kind of girl a guy gets serious about. She’s good for one thing and she’s really good at it.”
“Not cheering me up here, Mitch,” I mutter.
“I’m just telling the truth, but you aren’t like her, Callie.”
“I don’t know whether I should be insulted or thankful,” I grumble, making him laugh.
“What I’m trying to say is, you’re the kind of girl a guy wants to keep. You’re special, Callie. Girls like Chasity Newberg can’t hold a candle to you.”
“That’s nice of you to say, Mitch. But just because you might feel that way, it doesn’t mean Reed will.”
“Listen, Callie. I like you.”
“I like you, too,” I tell him, looking up into his eyes and smiling. It sounds weird even to my own ears, but I find I’m telling the truth. I do like Mitch. He’s funny—even charming. He’s been a great friend.
“I want a relationship with you,” he says and eek! I really don’t need to hear this right now.
“Get that look off your face. I know you love my brother. For the first time in my life, Callie, you make me want to be a better person.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, confused.
“It means, I want your happiness over mine. I know Reed will make you happy. So, you should tell him how you feel.”
“But he’s in—”
“He’s been in love with you for months. Trust me on this. If you want Reed, all you have to do is tell him.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive,” he says, and I feel my heart beating harder in my chest.
Hope begins to blossom inside of me. For Mitch to tell me that Reed loves me and encourage me, then he must truly believe it. I immediately begin looking around the room, making Mitch laugh.
“Darlin’, he’s not here. I heard Chasity tell Reed she was bored. He suggested they go to where the after-prom party is already starting.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll talk to him Monday,” I mumble, but Mitch shakes his head.
“C’mon, Chicken Little. I’ll take you over there. I’ll even distract Chasity so you can talk to Reed alone.”
“You’re sure?” I question, both grateful and hoping he changes his mind about helping me. I’m scared. Heck, I’m really scared to level with Reed, but I may never get another chance.
“It will be a hardship to let Chasity use my body, but for you, I can deal.”
“That’s the only way to distract her?” I laugh.
“With Chasity, that’s usually the answer,” he responds with a wink, making me shake my head.
Mitch takes my hand and leads me off the dance floor. We weave through the other students. Before I know it, we’re outside. I take a deep breath, breathing in the outside air. I’m trying to get my heart to stop beating so wildly and return to normal.
“It’s going to be okay, Callie. I’m right here with you,” Mitch says.
He gives my hand a squeeze. I moisten my lips and offer a hesitant smile.
17 Reed
“You’re awful quiet tonight, Reed,” Chas says as we make it to my truck.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I guess I’m not much company. I’ll get you home,” I mutter, just wanting to get her there and let this night be over.
I don’t know how I ended up here. It’s not what I wanted at all. Chas has always been decent to me, but she’s not what I want—at all. Callie’s everything I’ve ever wanted and never knew existed until I saw her. Being around her is easy and peaceful. Chas is her complete opposite. She’s got bright blonde hair, compared to Callie’s dark. Her eyes are green but hold none of the life that Callie’s hold. When I look into them, all I feel is this mild feeling of unease. Her body is slender and athletic, while Callie is curvy, womanly, and so fucking perfect.
Just thinking about the differences makes me more depressed.