Page 5 of Luci’s Lullaby

I dart around the corner doing my best to get away from my current situation. I lean against the wall and catch my breath. Squeezing my eyes shut, I can’t help but think about what just took place.

Alden Beck’s hands were all over me.

My stomach feels uneasy, like butterflies are dancing in it. I release a sigh, settling my nerves before I sneak a quick peek back at him. He’s still standing there with his friends, so I take my time drinking him in, a teenage girls dream come true.

His dirty blond hair is never combed; it’s like he just rolled out of bed, but it’s sexy. He has the most beautiful blue eyes and a smile that would melt a glacier. I love his smirk, it makes his eyes sparkle.

The girls here are in lust with Cidney, mostly because he’s the quarterback but Alden, he has something special. He holds the door open for anyone, and he speaks to everyone. It’s the small things I love best.

“Are you starin’ at Alden again?” Amy pokes my side.

“Maybe.” I spin and start walking toward our class.

She cranes her neck over her shoulder with a smile. “Oh! Here he comes.”

“WHAT?” I stumble as I try to look behind us.

“Ha! I knew it.” She smirks. “Have you ever talked to him?”

“Yes.” I stop dead in my tracks. “Just now, we spoke.”

“So… spill!” Amy waves her hand in front of her.

I bite my lip, refusing to tell her the sordid story of us wallowing around on the floor because he tripped and took me out like a football tackle. “Naw, I’m gonna keep it between us for now.”

“No way, you have to tell.” She crosses her arms.

I chew on my nail, trying to decide which version of the truth I want to tell. “He-he a…” Before I can say another word, our friend Denise comes barreling toward us.

“No freakin’ way, I heard you were jumped by Alden Beck! Are you okay? They said he wrestled you down and everything.” My face flames as Amy’s eyes grow as round as a softball.

“He. Did. What?” Her fingers wrap my wrist as she begins to jerk on my arm. “Tell. Us. Everything!”

I give a half shrug and begin to walk away. “It was an accident. He was sweet and apologized.”

“Sweet? Apologized?” Amy’s lip quirks. “Sounds… nice.”

“He was, he even helped me up.”

“So he did wrestle you down?” Denise’s brows raise, as Amy’s mouth pops open.

I close my eyes, replaying the entire thing in my mind. How he smelled, the way he felt on top of me. “He tripped and fell on top of me.”

“You’ve got to be freakin’ kidding me!” Amy grabs my arm, squeezing it.

I peel her off me. “Umm, no. He helped me up and gathered my things.”

“I would’ve died!” Denise squeals.

“I thought I was going to. He may not be as tall as Cidney, but he’s big and weighs a ton.”

“No way! What did you do?” Amy’s face is priceless, all wide-eyed and opened mouth.

“I slid out and took his hand.”

Denise blinks rapidly. “That’s it? You didn’t wrap your legs around him and hold on for dear life?”

“No, I did not.” Although, the thought crossed my mind. “Y’all know he’s a freshman and we’re juniors, right?”