Page 74 of How (Not) to Conjure a Boyfriend
Kaitlynn’s eyes are as wide as I’ve ever seen them. Mine too probably, but I blink it away and try to start up the damage control. I can’t deny it. Did he say something? Did he tell one of his friends? Were his parents or grandparents too talkative about us? Oh my gods, there are so many possibilities. I don’t know, and I’m one hundred percent not about to text him to find out.
“Yeah, we are.” I surprise even myself. No point in stopping it now. Gods. Freyja is never going to let me into Fòlkvangr after all this. “Surprise!” I do jazz hands and breathe heavily. I didn’t think things could get worse than they already were, but here we are.
Julieta squeals and shakes her shoulders. I wish I was that excited. “That’s so awesome! He’s dreamy.”
“Yeah, he is.” I grin.
The bell rings, so I say a quick bye before using it to get away. I waste no time snatching Kaitlynn’s arm and pulling her along. I need her with me. Hell, now that I think about it, maybe I wasn’t being unreal to feel like people were watching me.Freyja, please make them stay away.
“Slow down!” Kaitlynn yelps as I tug her between the tables and chairs and down the main hall. I need somewhere we can talk, but privately!
“Kenz—” she starts again.
“Hold on!” I interrupt, finally seeing an option. I dive right between some tall dude I know I’ve seen a hundred times but haven’t a clue his name, and someone else. Then it’s another hard right, fingers gripping a long metal handle, yanking it openand shoving Kaitlynn inside before she can protest, and shutting the door behind us.
“Why are we in the janitor’s closet?” Kaitlynn bops her head and winces. “I’m not making out with you.”
“Make out? What? No!” I grimace at the thought and make an exaggerated puking noise.
“Well you don’t have to make it that obvious,” Kaitlynn says.
“What am I going to do about all this?” I wave my hand toward the door while she rolls her eyes.
“Do about it?” she asks.
“Yeah! Now everyone knows. Everyone isn’t supposed to know!” I tell her. “Now everyone is going to know I lied!”
“I mean they don’t have to know.” Kaitlynn bumps her shoulders with this very innocent look that saysI’m guilty as hell.
“Kaity, darling,” I start off, as calmly as I can, “do you really think Hayden is going to keep thinking he chose to date me?”
“May—”
“No!” I practically yell, but still keep it quiet. She doesn’t know yet that I had my argument with Hayden. I’ve been keeping it close to my chest.
“Ugh, you’re going to make us late for class,” Kaitlynn complains.
“Forget class, this is more important!” I tell her. “This is terrible. I’m ruined! No one will ever see me as a decent person again once word gets out.”
“Little dramatic, but…” Kaitlynn drags it out. “Maybe you just need to not think about him—”
“Or Zach,” I interject.
“—for, and yeah, Zach too, for a little.” Kaitlynn’s amusement morphs into what seems sincere, but that’s anyone’s guess. “You need to clear your head and do something that makes you happy. Get away from them so you can think clearly.”
“But it’sallI think about,” I complain, cupping my face in my hands for dramatic effect. Wait!
“Or you could fuck both of them and see which you—”
What?
“Uh, no!” I yelp. “I feel bad enough I kissed Zach. But may—”
“So you admit it now! Itwasyou. I knew it!” Kaity is raving in her own world.
“—be, what? No! I mean, yeah, but that’s not what we’re talking about right now.”
“Maybe not you,” Kaity laughs.
