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  I mean, what should we even talk about? Because I hated it when couples took a chance on fate only to quickly realize that they shared nothing in common; thus, they could do nothing but stare at one another while they imagined themselves somewhere else. I mean, theoretically speaking, what if that happened to me and Jonathan? Maybe he was incredibly boring? Or, maybe I was projecting my insecurities onto someone else, knowing somewhere at the back of my head that if anything messed up this date, it would be my tendency for unusual anecdotes to carry a civilized conversation.

  However, I had very little opportunity to change my mind when an unfamiliar truck rumbled into our driveway. I watched as Jonathan emerged from the driver’s side before I decided to wait next to the front door. While I was struggling to breathe, Nicole was leaping up and down behind me. “He’s here!” she exclaimed as if he planned to take her out instead.

  “Please don’t embarrass me,” I snapped, forcing my siblings to wait in the kitchen while I greeted Jonathan at the door because I was desperate to eliminate the possibility of my sisters setting me up for failure with their incessant questioning.

  ***

  “You look great, Brynn,” Jonathan complimented me.

  “Thanks,” I managed, following him to his awaiting truck and fighting for control over the whirring humming bird that was fluttering against my rib cage.

  As I was desperately fumbling with the seatbelt, he turned to me with a smile. “Where do you want to go?”

  “Somewhere downtown maybe?” I offered, hoping that I sounded more confident than I likely appeared, especially since I was usually more adept with car safety.

  “I know a good restaurant.”

  Thankfully, Jonathan was already playing music when he started the ignition, and I was grateful for the white noise that filled the interior of his vehicle. I wouldn’t have to worry about composing interesting things for the duration of our trip downtown. Of course, I usually never said anything interesting at all, but maybe I could at least sound competent.

  In any case, I wasn’t a very social person under most circumstances. Sadly, these situations frequently contributed to my limited image in which my peers perceived me as someone decidedly less than friendly. How I managed to catch Jonathan’s eye was still a mystery, and I could only hope that I continued doing whatever it was that engaged his attention in the first place.

  I tried to reassure myself that polite dinner conversation was possible while we walked inside a nice diner called Hamblins. We were then escorted to a quiet table tucked away safely from the other parties idly chatting over their entrees and alcoholic selections. I was practically close to salivating while observing all the options. “Pick whatever you want,” Jonathan told me with a wink. “All their stuff is good.”

  My entire body was flushed from his flirtations, and I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach as I focused on finding something to satisfy my rampant hunger. I remembered that Nicole had once occupied an entire lunch period explaining the proper etiquette of choosing appropriate meals for such an occasion. She had listed off my restricted options as if she were an expert on something as trivial as an acceptable dating menu. But at least thinking about Nicole managed to bring some semblance of anchoring reality to this unconventional situation.

  After we both made a selection, our rather boisterous waiter brought us matching glasses of water since we were an absolutely beautiful couple, and I was bewildered at how comfortably Jonathan and I settled into conversation. Something about his roguish demeanor was both alluring and familiar, and I forgot about my previous anxieties once he started talking about an upcoming basketball tournament. Especially since basketball would always invite dialogue that I could actively understand and discuss.

  “You and I should play one-on-one sometime, Starr.” Jonathan grinned. “I know how good you are.”

  Oh, but he was good too.

  Of course, contrary to our lively exchanges, the dinner itself continued under relatively complacent silence. Occasionally, Jonathan would ask me questions and I was delighted by his interest in my writing. I talked about my projects and some of the stories that I was currently interested in pursuing. There were also things we shared in common, and we talked about our siblings, what we planned to do after high school, and even what we wanted to do thereafter. It was a weird string of topics to talk about because I hadn’t ever thought much past basketball, but Jonathan seemed to understand that nothing could last forever.

  However, it helped shed light on the intricate layers to Jonathan’s personality, and I was surprised by his easy-going nature. It was a nice contrast to my disposition because I was the kind of person who was much easier to get along with once I became close to someone. It was only at that point when conversation became more engaging. However, everything was suddenly different with Jonathan, and I couldn’t decide if that was due to his friendly attitude or because I really liked him.

  “I hope you consider this a success,” Jonathan said after he politely offered to pay for our dinner. “I spent a lot of time planning.”

  “It seems like you’re expecting a compliment.”

  “Everything was for you.”

  The declaration existed only for me, even as he drove me back home under the watchful guard of the stars. I attempted to distract myself by scanning through his preset radio stations, finding our shared interest in music preference as another positive development. After all, it was good to find common ground, right? Otherwise, what could you ever really enjoy together?

  “I want you to be honest, Brynn.” He grinned after pulling into my driveway. “How did I do?”

  “Not bad,” I said, grabbing my keys from my bag. “I didn’t know that you could be so charming.”

  “I can make the effort now and then,” he said, and I waited patiently while he helped me down from his truck before the two of us walked to my front door.

  I opened my mouth to finally respond to his comment, but my older brother chose the worst time to intervene. I sighed when Jerome leaned against the doorframe, fixing Jonathan with a glare. “Are you done?”

  “Jerome,” I scolded him, but Jonathan only brushed it aside.

  “It’s alright,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Brynn.”

  I held my tongue until Jonathan was gone before confronting my brother. “Are you actually crazy?”

  “Isn’t that my job?” he asked. “I wasn’t exactly given a manual.”

  His justification was futile, and I shoved past him on my way inside. “That isn’t your job and you should’ve figured it out by now!”

  Jerome chuckled while I ignored my sisters who began pestering me with questions. Instead of offering answers, I chose to hide out in my room, keeping myself secluded for the remainder of the night. Because it was a good time to be alone, and I replayed my evening with Jonathan over and over again like a never-ending loop inside my head. At the same time, I remembered that Rose had taught me how to be cautious, and I would take every means to adhere to the lessons from my sister’s past mistakes. Because I also remembered when my sister ignored all the warning signs, and I understood that it wasn’t worth another romantic rendezvous to endure a broken heart.

  ***

  When I met Aria the next morning, she appeared perfectly content, but that could have been nothing more than a carefully constructed facade. You see, I had discovered that Aria was the type of person who made sure that nobody worried. It was surely admirable, but holding everything inside could also be very inhibiting. However, it seemed like Venir had refused to take action against Sydney, and I couldn’t determine whether or not that was actually a good thing.

  In any case, Aria was currently occupied with Nicole’s recent obsession with our sister’s romantic affairs. “They should be in the lounge,” Aria explained because we had both waited until we were sure Beckett would be finished with his morning practice before entering the lounge, finding most of the others already downstairs.

  Chr
ystian sat at the bar, seemingly lost in some sort of assignment. Meanwhile, Alex and Beckett were standing together at the center of the room, and they both watched as we joined them, finding comfortable positions along the decorative furniture. “Well?” Aria asked, looking back and forth between them.“What happened?”

  “Alex and I invited Ryder out for dinner after practice,” Beckett began smoothly, “Alex extended his interest in Heidi, but Ryder barely reacted. Actually, when Alex was waiting outside for us, I found out that Ryder wasn’t even aware of Heidi’s interest in him. He said that he might be interested in someone else, but I’m not sure if she’s on the basketball team.”

  Aria appeared triumphant like she had just solved the water crisis in the Middle East. “What’s the next step of the plan?”

  It took me a moment to realize that she was addressing me. “Huh?”

  Alex smirked as if he found my confusion amusing. “The plan? For what, Miss Starr?”

  I swallowed hard as I searched for the right words. “I think we both know that Heidi likes Ryder, but Nicole insists that Rose is also interested, even though Ryder hasn’t really shown any favoritism for either of them.”

  “Ah, so you’re looking out for big sister?”

  I shook my head, slightly perturbed by his condescending tone. “Rose can handle herself.”

  Alex raised a questioning brow, but Aria quickly took control of the conversation. “You can just leave the rest to us.”

  Alex relented, allowing Beckett to step forward. “Don’t forget that you still have plans with Alex after school,” Beckett said and Alex smirked from behind him.

  “Fine, but I also have something scheduled with V,” Aria said, shrugging her shoulders indifferently. She glanced back at Christian before lowering her voice. “He’s busy with Chrystian.”

  I startled at the mention of Chrystian, ignoring the impending subject of Aria’s meeting with Alex. “What’s wrong with Chrystian?”

  The question betrayed my concern, unexpected even to me, and I inwardly cringed at the shrillness to my tone. It was certainly noticed by Alex who frowned in my direction.

  “Oh, he’s brooding again,” Aria said.

  Beckett chuckled, taking a seat next to Aria as he studied Chrystian. His brown eyes met hers thoughtfully. “Is it Isabella?”

  “Isabella?” I repeated, tossing my question in Aria’s direction.

  Aria returned my gaze steadily with the same considerate look which often meant that she was curious about something that had taken her by surprise. However, I was on the receiving end of her idiosyncrasy because anyone would take notice of my sudden interest in Chrystian Bowman, but I wasn't ready to confront her subconscious gesture. Instead, I pursed my lips, deciding that I would refrain from speaking any further on the subject. Meanwhile, Aria graciously continued her explanation. “She’s a friend, but Chrystian has always considered her differently.”

  I kept my thoughts firmly sealed, knowing that one more outburst would likely betray the extent of my interest, but that didn’t mean that I wasn’t victim to an underlying ignorance that left me considerably frustrated. It manifested itself in a series of internal questions that I wouldn’t dare vocalize in search of the answers. Unfortunately, a slew of them occupied my train of thought while Aria reacted to one of Beckett’s comments. For example, who would’ve guessed that Chrystian was in a relationship? How long had they been together and what did she look like? These questions raced through my head as I recalled my last conversation with Chrystian because he had explicitly mentioned meeting someone at the airport.

  While I struggled to understand the situation, Beckett let out a distracting sigh. “Chrystian should know better.”

  “What’s wrong with Isabella?” Alex asked. “I like her.”

  “Well, I think you’re one of the few people who can tolerate her,” Beckett said. “There has to be something wrong with a girl who claims to be that perfect.”

  “Aria?” Alex asked. “What do you think?”

  Aria examined me wordlessly and I knew, despite my best efforts, that she would question me later about my sudden involvement with Chrystian Bowman. “I haven’t known her for long, but I take into account Chrystian’s feelings. They change very suddenly.”

  “That’s a diplomatic answer,” Beckett grunted. “How do you feel now? I’d say that they’re not an item anymore if Chrystian’s still moping.”

  “I don’t know the full story,” Aria said. “I’m sure I’ll talk about it with V.”

  Alex cleared his throat, looking at me with a blank stare. “Well, Miss Starr, since you’re here, would you like to do me a favor?”

  “I feel like I should be afraid of your favors.”

  “It’s nothing too difficult,” he said, holding out a hand for me to take. “Won’t you help me?”

  I was suspicious of the sincerity in his eyes, an earnestness that I had never really thought to associate with Alex’s character. But every literary heroine of interest had fallen victim to someone who pretended to be a lot better than they really were. Like Mr. Wickham, for example, but in that case, Alex truly wasn’t that different from Elizabeth’s initial impression of Mr. Darcy. “What is it?”

  “A walk outside with me,” Alex replied. “If you can spare the time.”

  Taken aback by the innocent nature of his demand, I took his offered hand and allowed him to lead me up the staircase. However, I wouldn't allow our physical contact to linger s we walked outside the main entrance, and I snatched my hand away from him, earning me a quiet chuckle in return. I wanted to retaliate, but Alex was suddenly more serious after we had left the school’s main campus, bringing the two of us to the edge of the woods surrounding the parking lot. It was another unexpected shift in character for him, and I was starting to worry that something was wrong. “Are you kidnapping me?” I asked him, but I mainly wanted to interrupt the unnerving silence blanketing over the two of us when it was certainly not appreciated.

  Once he finally stopped, he turned around to address the question hanging over our heads. Alex appeared uncertain, and he refused to meet my gaze as if he wasn’t sure of his decision. Alex never backed down from anyone, almost stoically certain in the confidence thar he exerted around other people. He had something uncomfortable to say, something to lessen the effect of his usual arrogance, but he couldn’t find the right words “Brynn,” he eventually said. “I know that you probably have no right to trust me, but I need you to promise me something.”

  “What kind of promise?”

  “Jonathan Reed,” Alex said, appraising me with those dark eyes. “Don’t see him anymore.”

  If I said that I was shocked by his request, I would still consider it an understatement. It was probably the last thing that I had been expecting Alex to say, and I gingerly took a step back away from him. “What are you talking about?”

  “I know you went out with him last night,” Alex admitted. “But I’d like for you to promise me that it was also the last time.”

  “Are you serious right now, Alex?” I asked, regarding him more carefully because something unpleasant had finally been revealed, and I didn’t like the way that it made me feel. Turning it over in my head, and considering its implications, produced another sensation entirely. It was almost like a switch had been flipped, and my whole body trembled with a desire to defend my choices. “I had a great time with Jonathan.”

  “I’m sure you did,” he said gruffly. “But that’s what he does.”

  “Really? Well, I think I’ve heard enough of your theory,” I said, petulantly crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’t know what you have against him, but he was genuine to me last night.”

  “I don’t do this often you know.” Alex glowered. “I’m making an exception for you because you’re Aria’s friend.”

  “Or you’re just jealous!” I sneered, even knowing that such an accusation was far from accurate. But common sense was suddenly disregarded in exchange for latching on
to a more powerful agitator: a slowly burning irritation.

  Alex shook his head. “I like you, Brynn. You’re an honest person, and I don’t want him to break you like he’s done with the others.”

  “Did you say that he’ll break me?” I repeated, incredulous that he saw me as someone so weak. “I would never let a boy do that to me.”

  “He’ll want you to sleep with him,” Alex continued. “He’ll pressure you, and I know that once he gets what he wants, he’ll toss you aside and find somebody else. You seem like the type of girl who would want to keep that special until you meet the right man. I need you to trust me when I say that Jonathan is not worth your time.”

  “This coming for you.” I grimaced. “You do the exact same thing. I didn’t make you out to be a hypocrite.”

  Alex flinched as if affected by my words. “I’m nothing like him. I would never force a woman to do that sort of thing with me.”

  “You’ve probably slept with plenty of women in your life,” I said, shaking my head because he was being so dense. Preaching these things to me when he had made a lifestyle out of doing the exact same thing.

  “Those women want to sleep with me,” Alex stated, “and none of them were virgins.”

  I couldn’t stop the way I blushed at his observation. “How do you know-”

  “I can tell!” Alex spoke over me. “You’re not confident around men. That’s always an obvious sign.”

  “Is that so?” I huffed, narrowing my eyes as I attempted to reconcile this new version of Alex with the one who teased me in class and made a habit out of calling me by my surname. “I’m an obvious person? I’m easy to figure out? Do you think you know me so well that you can tell me who to date?”

  “I know more about you than you seem to think,” Alex said, eyes flashing bright with anger. “You can take my advice or you can ignore me and entertain your new boyfriend. I’m sure that he’s looking for you.”

  “It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out,” I informed him haughtily, turning my back on him as I firmly retreated in the direction of our school. “Don’t ever ask me for another favor.”