Page 3 of I Think We’re Alone Now

“I guess that makes sense.”

We finished our pizza in silence, not really sure what to say to each other. There were so many things I wanted to ask him—what was Europe like, why didn’t he re-up, did he have a girlfriend? But there was a part of me that was too afraid of being that annoying little girl that I knew he had seen me as years ago. I needed to find a way for him to see me for who I was now.

“What now?” he asked.

“Arcade?” I suggested, trying to sound nonchalant. “I bet I can still kick your ass at Skee-Ball!”

“Oh, it’s on!” he replied, as we made our way down the crowded corridor of the mall.

It was a busy Saturday afternoon with people streaming in and out of stores, bags hanging off their arms. Packs of high school girls—all done up in their denim skirts and jackets, neon crop-tops, and Swatch watches—seemed to be everywhere, a sharp contrast to the professional women in their power suits that passed them every now and again. The small “tot lot” playground was full of little kids as their mothers sat on the benches nearby, chatting away with friends as they watched. A group of teenage boys stood outside a lingerie shop, giggling among themselves every time they saw someone walk in or out. I saw Travis glare at them out of the corner of his eye, and I couldn’t help but shake my head and laugh, knowing that not all that long ago that had been him and my brother.

“Hey, I know you!” one of the boys called out as we walked by.

“Oh shit,” I muttered. “They must recognize me!”

Travis threw a look over his shoulder in time to see the rest of the group look up and start to make their way toward us. A wave of dread rushed over me, and I suddenly wished I had worn a hat or a pair of Ray-Bans, something to hide my face a little better. Any minute these boys would say my name, and this whole mall would be swarming around me.

As if reading my mind, Travis pulled me into him, a protective arm wrapping around my waist. His hand felt good on my back, like it was made for that exact spot. Turning back to look at him, his face was unreadable, and part of me worried that he was freaking out inside the same way I was. But a split second later, he tightened his arm around me, closing the already small space between us. Our faces were so close I could feel his breath against mine, and every part of me came alive. I’d wanted to be this close to him for so long, and now here we were, in the middle of the mall.

Next thing I knew, his lips were on mine. They were soft and warm, yet full of so much strength. I relaxed into him, kissing him back, my arms winding around his neck. My heart sped up as the butterflies that had come to life in me earlier now took flight and made my body seem weightless. Travis Parker was kissing me, and nothing had ever felt this good.

And I was pretty sure nothing would ever feel this good again.