Page 60 of Movers and Fakers

“The faster you tell us what’s wrong, the faster you get out of here,” Marigold says oh-so-helpfully.

“Alternate option: I tell you nothing and leave when I want.”

I see Marigold roll her eyes in the mirror.

“Come on, we’ve been worried about you.” Her voice carries less ire. “You’ve been quieter than usual, and that’s saying something.”

I drop my gaze and toy with the drawstring on my sweatpants.

“I went on a date with Hayes a couple of days ago. A real one—I think,” I confess. Jasmine’s hands still on my head.

“Where did he take you?” Saylor asks. “Paris?”

“Say, please, let the woman speak,” Marigold admonishes.

“You’re the one who says a good writer asks questions,” Saylor retorts.

“He taught me some boxing moves at the gym he trains at,” I answer. “And … we almost kissed.”

“Again?” Marigold asks.

I whip my head toward her, causing Jasmine to drop the comb.

“How did you know about the other time?”

She grins like the villain she is. “I didn’t. Saw that trick in a movie once, and I can't believe it actually worked.”

I glare at her. Saylor giggles, and I’m sure Jasmine is just barely holding it together.

“You’re evil.”

Marigold’s smirk grows more devious. “Thank you.”

“So why almost?” Saylor asks, ignoring Marigold’s previous suggestion to let me talk. “Why not kiss him?”

I hesitate. It’s not an easy thing to admit out loud, but I know I can trust these girls. They love me enough to have T-shirts made, which I hate but also acknowledge is indicative of a certain level of care.

“I’ve never kissed anyone before,” I say quietly. “If we kissed, it would be my first.”

Jasmine finishes my hair and steps back, an inquisitive look on her face.

“What are you afraid of?” Jaz asks, as though she’s asking what the weather forecast is.

I twist the drawstring around my finger.

“I know plenty of people have their first kiss and don’t end up with the person who they kissed, maybe never even see them again. Maybe it’s dumb, but I hate the thought of sharing a first with Hayes and then him leaving.”

“There’re a lot of presuppositions wrapped up in that,” Marigold says.

All three of us stare at her, waiting for her to translate.

“You’re assuming that you won’t fall in love and marry Hayes after said first kiss. And on top of that, you’re assuming he’s the one who ends things, not you.” She pauses after her explanation. “Which to me, sounds like you like him and are scared of getting your heart broken because he has a reputation of doing that.”

I frown, not liking how accurate she is.

“I don’t want to sway you, because this is too important to meddle in,” Jasmine begins. “But Hayes has already changed a lot in the short time you two have been dating—”

“Fake dating,” I correct.