So that’s it.

  I guess that didn’t last long.

  He scratches his eyebrow. “I’ll, uh, I’ll pick you up some ice-cream on the way back. Peanut butter, right?”

  My gaze flashes up to his in surprise. “How’d you know?”

  “I would think your dad would know your favorite dessert by now. Besides, it’s all you used to eat when you were a kid.” He smiles faintly before it disappears back into that solemn expression.

  He remembers what I liked as a kid?

  He was around long enough to remember?

  Before I get a chance to pick up on it, Dad’s heading out of the door, giving me a brief glance as he holds the door. “You call me, if you need anything, Ken.”

  I nod silently, understanding the double meaning behind those words.

  He clears his throat and heads out of the bedroom, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

  Once I hear the front door click shut and Dad’s car engine start, I allow myself to cry. The sobs spill out of my chest, like a dam bursting in relief - desperate for that cathartic release. I cry loudly, holding myself tight with the blanket around me as the events of today flash through my mind.

  Loneliness.

  Something I’ve kept close to my heart. Something that’s never left me ever since Mom died. And now, Kyle Matthews - someone who I thought wanted to be my friend - saw right through me, saw my pained, ugly loneliness in its entirety and felt nothing but pity. Nothing but pity for sad Kennedy Hinch.

  And Roman. His cutting glare always saw right through me, making me feel so small, like I was nothing. Like I am nothing. His gaze was glittered with loathing.

  Disgust.

  Loathing.

  Resentment.

  It’s too much.

  And it doesn’t help that prom is tonight.

  Kyle’s constant missed calls and messages are a constant reminder of that fact.

  He’s texted, left voicemails - trying to explain, trying to get me to talk to him. And the hardest part? He’s asked me to meet him at prom.

  Talk about insult to injury.

  Kyle: Kennedy talk to me

  Kyle: Why aren’t you at school? Are you okay?

  Kyle: Let me explain

  Kyle: Kennedy, I’m not the enemy here

  I barely managed to make through his voicemails.

  “Hey Kennedy, it’s me,” he breathes softly. “I don’t know if you’re getting my messages or if you don’t wanna talk, it’s fine, you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, I just….I don’t - fuck,” he sighs. A moment of silence before he continues again. “I need you to talk to me, I don’t pity you or feel sorry for you. I didn’t mean that when I was talking about us meeting. I just…I wanted you to know that. You’re not in school and I’m worried. I wanted to know if you’re okay.”

  “Kennedy, just call me.”

  The last voicemail was sent earlier this morning.

  “You know that day when I asked you if you wanted to get some ice cream? Well, I was going to ask you something else. You probably would have said no but I wanted to do it because you’re not just my friend…. I was gonna ask you to prom. I still want you to come to prom as my date. Kennedy Hinch - will you go to prom with me? Please?”

  It’s all just a mess.

  I throw my phone back under my pillow and continue watching my movie. A couple of minutes go by before the door bell rings.

  No.

  It can’t be.

  No freaking way.

  My spider senses are telling me that there’s no way he’s outside. First of all, he doesn’t even know where I live.

  It can’t be him.

  Second of all….these things only happen in the movies.

  I throw my blanket over and walk downstairs, creeping slowly so as not to make a sound. I inch a little forward towards the hallway, looking through a gap to see who’s out there.

  And it’s the last person I expect.

  Or shall I say ‘two people’.

  I head towards the door, opening it. “What are you two doing here?”

  Kirsten tilts her head with a bright expression and Gina looms behind her, with a nonchalant, casual look.

  “Prom is in two hours and you’re not ready,” Kirsten says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

  “What -“

  “Can we come in?” She interjects with a smile.

  I look at Kirsten and Gina. This doesn’t make any sense.

  “I don’t get why you’re here,” I say slowly. “Especially considering you were the one who told me not to go to prom.” I stare at Gina pointedly. She shrugs, but she’s biting her words. Almost as though she was told not to speak.

  “Please, we can explain,” Kirsten nods. “I know Kyle asked you to prom -“

  “How do you know that?”

  “Can we come in?” She asks softly.

  I search her gaze and see no malice there. It still doesn’t mean I trust her but it’s worth hearing these two out - especially since they know Kyle asked me to prom. If this is a setup, I want to know about it.

  I motion for them to come in and they walk through, heading to the living room. They turn, facing me as they dump a filled bag of clothes on my couch.

  “So…” I trail.

  “So we are here to get you ready for prom,” Kirsten says.

  “What? Why?” I say with suspicion. “I know your friends are planning something horrible for me. Don’t try to deny it.”

  “We won’t,” Gina speaks for the first time. “I mean if you go to prom, Madison will probably treat you like shit.”

  “No different from usual then,” I quip.

  “True,” Kirsten says. “And normally we wouldn’t interfere or get involved but…” Kirsten gives Gina a pointed look. “Kyle’s not really himself lately. This week, he’s been…I don’t know how to describe it but withdrawn, not himself at all. We know he wanted to go with you.”

  “How?”

  “He told me,” Gina adds. She sighs. “I guess he likes you. Don’t ask me why, I didn’t ask for an explanation or anything.”

  “I mean, I can kind of see why,” Kirsten smiles. “I think he’s got a thing for you.”

  “Hah, now you’re full of crap. With peace and love, I’m not stupid,” I take a seat on the edge of the couch.

  “It’s not the craziest idea considering he’s been miserable this whole week and it just happens to be the same week that you’re absent? Come on,” Kirsten teases. She moves to the bag, pulling out a series of dresses. “You can pick one from my collection. I’m wearing the purple one.”

  I look down at the colourful dresses before staring at the two of them. “I’m sorry but I’m…I’m not going.”

  “Yes, you are,” Kirsten frowns.

  Gina rolls her eyes. “What Kirsten means to say is that you should consider going and that we are not forcing you in any way, shape or form.”

  “Right,” she nods.

  “But we are low key going to drag you there, if need be.” Gina adds quickly.

  I rub my face tiredly. I forget that my hair is a completely knotted mess and that I’m wearing my pyjamas - not the best look.

  “As you can probably tell, I never planned on going anyway,” I look at Gina. “So you’ve wasted a journey. I’m sorry.”

  “Look, look, how about you get ready with us and if you still don’t want to go, you don’t have to?” Kirsten says.

  Gina steps forward, crossing her arms. “Come on, Hinch. You’re not afraid of a boy, are you?”

  “You’re the one who told me not to go,” I quip my brow.

  She shrugs. “It’s still a bad idea but Kyle will be there. I’m sure nothing bad will happen to you.”

  Little did I know, that would be the one of the biggest lies told that night.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “She’s ready!”

  Kirsten squeals behind the door and I step out of it, self-conscious but glad to be out of my pyjamas. Gina gives me an appraising look, smirking.

  “Wow, she cleans up good,” she notes.

  “Thanks, I do try,” Kirsten flicks her hair.

  Both of them got ready while they ordered me to try on a couple of dresses, making sure that I didn’t run away somewhere or hide in my bathroom.

  Kirsten did my make-up after she got ready, finishing her smoky eye look with a nude lip. The purple dress she’s wearing looks stunning on her figure; cinched at the waist and flared at the bottom while Gina chose a silver mesh dress that suits her style impeccably.

  I couldn’t choose what to wear; everything didn’t seem to fit my size and I was tempted to give up and curl into a corner.

  Thankfully, Kirsten had a crimson flowing gown with a sweetheart neckline and shoulder straps. To my surprise, it fit and accentuated my curves in the right places. Kirsten added a red lip and golden bronzer to my look. I nearly coughed out loud when I saw the person reflected back in the mirror.

  “You look stunning,” Gina raises her eyebrows at me.

  “I can’t believe that’s me in the mirror,” I chuckle breathily. I touch my hair, feeling the soft curls draped over one shoulder.

  Gina walks over to me, leaning behind me as we both look in the mirror. “Kyle is going to fall over his feet when he sees you in this dress.”

  “What? No,” I cover my cheeks, trying to hide the blush. “No. No. No. It’s not like that. We’re just friends.”

  “Friends, my ass.”

  “We are -“

  “Since when has Kyle ever looked at a friend like the way he looks at you?”

  “She’s right,” Kirsten adds, touching up her lip gloss. “Kyle seems happier. All thanks to you.”

  “I didn’t really do anything,” I mumble, sitting down on the bed.

  And that’s the truth. We’ve barely built up a foundation of a friendship, getting to know each other in the space of a month and a half isn’t really much time to make such a change in Kyle.

  Or is it?

  “We’re gonna be late,” Kirsten gasps, looking her watch. “Shit.”

  Gina picks up her phone, dialling. “I’ll call Roman to pick us up -“

  “No!” I stand up suddenly. My hands go numb.

  No.

  Not him.

  Anyone but him.

  Gina gives me an apologetic look. “He’s the only one who hasn’t left yet.”

  “Probably making out with Madison or something,” Kirsten rolls her eyes.

  “Let’s just take a cab or something,” I say quickly. Please, anything. I’ll hitchhike, take the bus, roller blade to the damn venue if I have to.

  Anything but that.

  “I am not going to prom in a cab,” Gina says bluntly. She turns to the window. “Roman! Hey, have you guys left yet?” A couple of seconds go by and her expression lights up, while mine turns into one of mourning. “Awesome. You got space in the hummer? Kirsten and I need a ride,” she turns to me. “And Kennedy too.”

  I’m waiting for the phone to burst into flames. Any second now and the other side of the phone will shout obscenities, furious that Kennedy Hinch is tagging along.

  But to my surprise, Gina’s grin widens.

  “Awesome, I’ll text you the address. Shouldn’t be more than fifteen minutes, tops.” She hangs up, and turns to us both. “See? Wasn’t so hard?”

  My stomach tightens in anxiety. “Don’t text him my address.”

  “How else are they supposed to get here?” Gina knits her brows together. She does it anyway, typing the words before I get a chance to do anything. Everything’s happening so fast, like sand slipping between my fingers.

  “Why would you - why would you ask him to pick us up? You know, your friends don’t like me. Kyle, I get, but Madison? Roman? Why - why are you doing this?”

  Kirsten looks up nervously before looking down, tightening her purse strap. Gina sighs, moving to sit down on the bed. She motions for me to sit down. I bite the bullet.

  “Look, I told you that you had no friends here and that’s somewhat true. But Kyle’s our friend and I want him to be happy. Seeing you there at prom is part of that so…fuck Madison and what she thinks. You just enjoy yourself,” Gina says. Kirsten looks at us, smiling softly.

  “You didn’t really give me much of a choice,” I cross my arms.

  “That’s kind of how I negotiate,” she nudges my shoulder.

  —

  The fifteen minutes fly by and before I know it, the doorbell rings.

  Shit. I think I’m going to pass out.

  Gina and Kirsten head towards the door but I grab Kirsten by the wrist, tugging her back gently.

  “Kirsten, I don’t think I can do this,” I whisper.

  She gives me a sympathetic look, holding my hand. “You can do this. Don’t let anyone stop you from living your life.”

  “I’m very happy with my life. Netflix, peanut butter ice cream, Harry Potter - I have a pretty good life!” I rush out, my gaze frantically looking at the door.

  Gina opens the door and there stands my worst nightmare.

  Roman Johnson.

  Dressed in the most gorgeous tuxedo, looking handsome and sharp as ever. His blonde hair is styled back, elegant and clean. His tall height looms over the girls, his muscles accentuated in that tux and he looks every inch the Hollywood movie star. His ice blue eyes find Gina and his mouth curls in a handsome, heart-shattering smile.

  “Well, don’t you look adorable?”

  Gina rolls her eyes, punching him in the arm. He barely flinches. She walks out of the door, right by him. “Shut up.”

  Kirsten tightens her grip on my hand before she lets go, walking down the hallway and right up to the door. She reaches on her tiptoes - even in those skyscraper heels - and gives Roman a peck on the cheek. “Our hero.”

  Roman’s smirk widens and he’s about to say something until his gaze reaches my direction. His stare catches mine, his entire expression stilting in surprise. Kirsten watches the two of us before smiling softly, moving down the stairs and into the car.

  Leaving just Roman at the entrance of the door.

  And me on the opposite side.

  Facing each other.

  Oh God.

  I have to walk past him.

  I’m going to be sick.

  I slowly walk down the hallway, hearing my heels click against the wooden flooring and I’m almost out of there until Roman quickly collects himself, moving to block my exit. His heated gaze burns into my skin, watching me intently.

  I force myself to meet his stare.

  There’s no anger there and I hold back a gasp of surprise; he’s staring at me with this intensity, with this searching, unreadable expression, unflinching and overwhelming that I’m at a loss for words. His jaw tightens as he swallows deeply.

  There’s a quiet, suffocating tension around us. Something unspoken. The way he looks at me is something I’ve never seen on his face before; he never looks at Madison or anyone in that way. My instincts go on high alert. Is it danger? He’s looking at me like a predator meeting his prey. Is that what’s going to happen? I’m terrified it’s a look of revenge. A warning that he’s going to destroy me. Is that what this is?

  I wait for him to spout words of derision, calling me cruel names and words that ridicule my outfit but they don’t come; instead, he continues silently watching me, his gaze flitting between my features, resting on my outfit before returning to stare at my lips.

  I break the silence.

  “Can I go?” I ask quietly.

  Roman doesn’t move for a while but after a couple of seconds, he leans back, clearing his throat.

  “Get in,” he says roughly. “We’re going to be late.”

  He walks back to the car, heading inside. I close the door behind me and head inside, feeling the glare of Madison etch into my skin. To my surprise though, she doesn’t comment on my appearance or ask why I’m here; almost as though she was debriefed to shut up beforehand. A few of the guys - Hunter, Kyle and Dawson sit on the other side, their arms around their dates. They’re Madison’s friends but I can’t remember their names.

  Everyone talks amongst themselves, forgetting that I’m there and I’m grateful to just be invisible. Being invisible to this group is a blessing in disguise.

  Where is Kyle anyway?

  Why is everyone ignoring the fact that I’m crashing with them?

  I save those questions for later. Right now, I just want to get to the venue and out of this car as soon as possible.

  My gaze looks around the car, finding Roman staring at me. His gaze is harsh, intense and torn - it’s pinning me down, making me shift uncomfortably. I avert my gaze, staring out the window.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ROMAN

  Of course, she’s here.

  Why the fuck would she listen to a word I say?

  Kennedy fucking Hinch. Sitting right across from me in the hummer and I can’t keep my eyes off her. She’s avoiding my stare but I know she’s uncomfortable; she’s bitten her mouth more times than I count.

  It’s fucking distracting.

  Madison’s blabbering about something but I can’t concentrate. Not when Kennedy Hinch is in that dress.

  That red dress. Those legs. Those brown eyes.

  Stop it.

  Stop.

  She’s doing this deliberately.

  I told her not to come. And she did the very thing I asked her not to do.

  “We’re here!” Hunter shouts. Hunter and Dawson are two of my closest friends - right there by my side at every football tournament, winning every game. Their dates head out of the car and I watch as Kennedy inches away from me as she steps out of the car.

  Like I want to be near her.

  But you want her, don’t you?

  The voice in my head won’t quit it, telling me everything I don’t want to hear. Especially about Kennedy Hinch.

  “Let’s go, babe,” Madison smirks at me, winking suggestively. She’s wearing a hot black number that leaves little to the imagination. Her cleavage plunges in that outfit and it should be the only thing my mind is focusing on.

  But it isn’t.

  It’s her.

  Stop.