Page 1 of Love and Leashes
Prologue
Jensen
I’m so bored.
Yeah, I know, every junior in high school thinks that in English Lit class. The only good part about it is that Tatyana Wilson sits to the side and in front of me, the perfect angle for me to look at her when she doesn’t know it. She’s so pretty. Prettiest girl in school. Too bad every other dude in here thinks that as well. I don’t have a chance, even if I am on the football team.
The bell finally rings and I toss my books into my bag. Biology is next, a class I hate even more than English Lit. The truth is, I like literature. I could even see myself teaching it someday. I’d sure as shit be more interesting than Mrs. Maltmore. Old Malty is the most boring teacher in the entire goddamn world. I swear, she could make watching paint dry seem interesting.
When I walk into the biology lab, the seat next to mine, which has been empty all semester, isn’t empty anymore. And the person there makes my heart stop. Like, legit, I think I have a heart attack looking at her.
Long blonde hair falls down her back. She’s sitting with her head tilted slightly to the side so I can see her face, and she’s hot. Like, natural, girl next door hot. Damn.
Taking my seat gingerly to try and hide my body’s annoying reaction to her, I give her a quick nod of my head in greeting.
“Hi, I’m Kelly. I’m new here. But that’s obvious, isn’t it? Shoot, I’m already being awkward. Sorry. Umm, can I start again? Hi, I’m Kelly.”
My head bounces up at her rambling, my mouth falling slightly open at her voice. It’s…it’s freaking musical. And that’s not how I’ve ever described anyone, ever, in my entire seventeen years of life. Weird.
“H-hey,” I stammer, gulping quickly. Shit, get it together, man. “I’m Jensen.”
Kelly smiles, and it blinds me. “Nice to meet you. I hate biology; hate to tell you, but you’re stuck with a dud of a lab partner.”
Her open honesty makes me relax. “S’okay, I hate it, too. But Mr. Welch is a cool teacher.”
“That’s good. So, what’s fun to do around here?”
My friendship with Kelly was cemented in that biology class through whispered jokes, written notes, and easy smiles. My initial attraction to her never faded, but as soon as I learned she had a boyfriend back home where she moved from, I forced those thoughts aside. Besides, Kelly never gave any indication she thought of me as anything more than a friend. So, I was content, figuring we could be those cool people who can handle being friends and not letting it get weird. You know, like Joey and Dawson from that stupid show some of the girls in my class watch.
But everything almost changed one day in the spring. I found Kelly sitting in the bleachers during our study period, and she was crying.
“Kel? What’s wrong?” I jog up the few rows to where she sits as she wipes her sleeve across her eyes.
“Sorry. I know we were meant to meet in the library. I just, umm, I just needed some air.”
“That’s okay.” I fidget in my seat. I don’t know what the hell to do right now. Kelly’s never cried in front of me. Slowly, I put my hand over hers and squeeze. She gives me a watery smile, then lets her head fall to the side to land on my shoulder. I move my arm around her shoulders. “What’s going on?”
“Kyle broke up with me.”
My heart thumps loudly in my chest at those words. Kyle, the boyfriend from her old school. I met the guy once, he seemed okay, but he wasn’t exactly a fan of us being friends.
“He said he didn’t want to do long distance anymore. I tried to convince him it wasn’t so bad, but he refused to listen. I think he’s cheating on me.” Kelly sniffs loudly. “But you know what, good riddance. He was a bad kisser, anyway.”
A laugh escapes me. “Really? You dated him for like, a year, and he was a bad kisser?”
She lifts her head and I immediately miss the feel of her tucked against me. I’ve been careful not to get too close to her and always keep things on the side of friendship. But this changes things.
“Yeah, the worst. He was a total guppy, you know?” She opens her mouth widely and makes a stupid face, and we both start laughing. That’s better. Kelly should always be happy. It’s who she is.
She wipes at her face again, then turns on the bench to face me. “Thanks, J. You always make me feel better somehow.”
I just shrug. “My job as best friend is done. Can we study French now?” I need the distraction of conjugating verbs to stop myself from doing something I shouldn’t. Like kiss my best friend.
Then again, maybe this is my shot. She’s single. I’m single.
This is it.
I look up to see Kelly rummaging in her backpack.
