Page 74 of No Ordinary Girl
I chewed on the inside of my lip as I tried to figure out how I would do it without him noticing. If he caught me, he would know what I was up to–apparently, the boys had the same rule. Then, he would think I wanted to make out with him or something. I was definitely not ready for that, honestly wouldn’t have known what to do. But on the other hand, I really didn’t want Alicia to barge in on us.
It was quite the conundrum.
I looked back at him. He did look pretty engrossed in my record collection–this was the perfect time to do it. I stood up casually, and shuffled my way to Alicia’s bed. I discreetly grabbed her tie and held it behind my back. He was still looking at the records,checking out the song titles on the Rolling Stones album. I slithered to the door and slowly opened it, all the while making sure he wasn’t watching me. I quickly slipped the tie on the door handle, and closed the door.
He looked up and cocked his brow. “Where are you going?”
“Uh… nowhere. I was looking for… Alicia,” I babbled like an idiot.
He had no clue. Yay for me.
“I love this album,” he said. It was the Stones’It’s only Rock n Rollalbum, one of my favorites.
“Me, too.” I sat down next to him. We were both sitting on the oversized cushions lining the bottom of the wall. It was quite a cozy space.Alicia had made it for us–we called it our Boho corner. It was very bohemian with a plush area rug, colorful throws and a hodgepodge of funky pillows and cushions Alicia had bought at Target.
I studied his hands as he slipped the record out of its sleeve–he had the long fingers of a pianist. He gently settled the record on the player, and he lined up the needle for the third song. I didn’t need to tell him to be careful, like I do with Kylie and Alicia.Leo just got it–he knewthese beauties need to be handled with care.
The music started and we smiled at each other. We weren’t doing much but we were having a blast. When the chorus came on, we both sang along, “It’s only rock n roll,” we wailed, “but I like it!!!!” He had an amazing deep voice and I was instantly a little envious.
I stood up halfway through the song and started to dance. I tried to pull him up with me but he wouldn’t play along.He was playing shy which was kind of adorable. So I danced all by myself, and I didn’t even care what I looked like. He watched me intently as I threw my arms up in the air, swayed my hips, and twirled once or twice.
At the end of the song, I collapsed down on the pillows.
“Dancing queen.” He smiled down at me. “I was planning to take you to the conservatory tonight.”
I bolted up right. “What?! I would love that. Do you have night access?”
He nodded. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m taking Botanical Studies.”
I pressed my finger to my mouth. “My lips are sealed.” I understood what he meant. Only the geekiest of kids took Botanical Studies. Although, Alicia was taking it too. It gave her access to the green room where she grew all kinds of herbs and plants for her potions.
“I grew up gardening with my mom,” he explained. “I sort of have a green thumb.”
I smiled. “My mom loves gardening, too. Our moms would probably get along.”
“Well, anyway, that was before I knew you had this sweet set-up, with your own kick-ass record collection and player,” he said, “and a Martin, too.” He reached for my guitar, lowered the volume on the record player, and started strumming. I enjoyed watching him. He started playing a song and I recognized it right away.
“I will wait,” I said, “by Mumford & Sons.”
He smiled up at me.
“My dad and I like that group.”
He played a few more chords and then trailed off. “I want to hear you play.”
My weary heart became frantic. I usually only played in front of my dad. But it was Leo. And I felt like I could do anything with him. I took the guitar when he handed it to me.
I was so nervous when I started on the first chord. I faltered a little but quickly recovered. I was playingLover of the Light, another Mumford & Sonssong.
A slow smile traced his lips, and his eyes looked sleepy.Where have you been all my life?he was thinking.
I smirked, still playing. “Around,” I said. “How ‘bout you? Where haveyoubeen all my life?”
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He laughed. “Stop doing that.”
It was amazing how once in a while, I could read one of his thoughts, word for word.
