Page 2 of Mountain Pine
“What’s that got to do with me? He needs money. Dad needs help.”
Carly rolls her eyes. “You’re clueless, girl.”
I keep watching the videos, and the one that has my heart all bubbly and fizzy is where the guy pauses, looks shocked, and then grabs the back of his best friend’s head and kisses her again. He looks like he’s been dying to kiss her for his whole life, and she’s finally snapped his leash.
My mouth dries up.
What if Conner doesn’t kiss me back like that?
“What if I ruin our friendship?”
“You won’t.” Carly closes the app and tosses her phone onto the bed. “If he rejects you, just laugh it off and say it’s for a trend.”
Laugh off the humiliation. Laugh off my heart breaking. Lie and say it’s a trend, not the biggest moment of my life and all I’ve wanted since middle school.
High school graduation is in two weeks, and I just feel like there’s this weird urgency to do something big. Toss all my hopes up in the sky and see if they stick.
Kiss Conner and see if the next chapter of my life will be as exciting as everyone else’s.
“Okay.” My cheeks are already growing numb. “I can do this.”
“Damn right, you can.”
“I’m going to do this.”
“Hell yeah, you are.”
“He’ll be here soon.”
Carly’s mouth drops. “Wait. You meantonight? You’re going to do thisnow?”
I freeze. “Do you think I should wait?”
“N-n-no,” she stutters as if in shock. “I mean, there’s no time like the present, right? I just didn’t realize he was coming over tonight.”
“Just for a minute. My dad needs to talk to him about some project of theirs.”
“Wow. Okay, then.”
I stare at my cousin and I’m pretty sure I’m going to pass out. “I need some extra power for this.” Rushing to my windowsill, I grab the best crystals for the job. “Tourmalinated quartz clears barriers and maximizes the potential for success. Jade for sure,since that brings luck in love. And…” I run my hand across the line-up of rocks I’ve collected most of my life. “Aventurine for taking chances.”
“Whatever it takes, girl.”
“Is three enough?” It doesn’t feel like enough. I think I’m going to need a dump truck filled with crystals to power me through this bad idea.
“You’re making too big a deal out of this, Taylor. Just be yourself.”
I’m already being myself as I tuck the little rocks into my bra. “How’s this?”
“Your tits are all lumpy.” Carly shrugs. “He won’t care.”
Nope. He won’t. I’m always shoving rocks in my bra, and no one ever says a word about it. Okay, no one in my friend group says a word about it. Everyone else in town? They can kiss my ass.
I’ve been dubbed a freak and a witch. It’s fine. The judgy looks and stupid rumors only hurt my feelings when I let them.
The distinct hum of Conner’s muffler fills my ears. My eyes widen. “He’s here.”
“Good. Now be chill. Remember, this is no big deal.” Carly hugs me and leaves.
