Page 45 of The Heir

“If you had asked me, I would not sayno, but I was actually asking if you wanted to see a movie with me tonight,” I said slowly and softly. It was as if his fingers on my skin were keepingme in some peaceful trance. I pushed down my thoughts of mind-controlling fey, which I was proud of. It took all my effort just to speak. He looked at me again, his lips puckered as if he were holding something back, and he held my gaze. After a few moments of silence, he finally spoke, moving his hand from my face.

“To answer your questions, yes—and yes.” Karen and Matt sat down then, and the lights turned off as the teacher pulled out her ancient overhead projector and started writing out equations for us to copy.

Questions? Does that mean? Does he want to take me to Homecoming? What the heck just happened?

As the teacher started lecturing, I heard nothing because Shad took my hand again from off of my notebook, and he held it right out in the open for everyone to see. It felt significant, and I was on top of the world, especially seeing Karen’s up turned nose at me. Let her dislike me, I’m not doing anything wrong.

As the bell rang, signaling that the period was over, Shad let go of my hand so I could shuffle my things into my backpack. I slipped out the door to breathe a bit easier. All class period, I felt so happy and yet very confused at what exactly Shad had meant.

What the heck happened?I felt a slight tug on my backpack that made me turn around and stop walking. Shad was there beside me, smirking that alluring smirk, which I loved.

“Hey, you ran out of there really fast.” He stepped beside me and walked with me as we headed to the cafeteria. “So, about the movie—when and where?” He put his hands in his pockets, making his shoulders rise a little in the most adorably handsome way.

No matter what he did, he was so attractive.

“There is probably a movie showing at, like, seven tonight,” I managed to say.

“Do you have a specific movie in mind?” he asked.

“Nothing specific, really. I haven’t been to a movie in a while, and Ryker is always so busy, especially this time of year with football. I thought maybe you would come.”

“Instead of him?”

“I mean, I never asked him. I don’t do everything with him, after all, and I only askedyou, and obviously, I did a horrible job of it.”

He laughed. “So cute.”

I looked up at him and stopped walking. “What is cute?”

“When you ramble on about things. No, I am sorry, that’s not right,” he paused and gave me a mischievous look. “It’s actuallynotjust cute, it’s adorable.”

My cheeks felt warm again, and I waited for him to tease me or mock me, but it never came. I covered my face with my hand. “Adorable? Really? I sound like an idiot when I do that,” I said with a sigh and continued walking.

“Seriously, it’s one of my favorite things about you,” he winked at me.

I covered my cheeks with both hands again.

“Just like that is,” he said softly, removing my hands and touching his fingertips to my cheeks, causing sparks to travel from my cheek to my neck, and then all the way down my body. “I like it when you blush, too.”

“Well, thanks—I think.”

“You’re welcome.” He put his hands back in his pockets. “I will pick you up at six-fifteen?”

“Yes, that would be great.”

“We can decide on a movie there, then?” he asked.

“Sounds good,” I nodded. We entered the cafeteria, and I stepped into the lunch line. He followed, grabbing a tray behind me.

“Do you want a ride home from school today?” he asked as I placed a fruit cup on my tray.

“Sure. It’s not a problem?”

“Not at all. In fact, I have been meaning to ask you if you would like a ride home every day, being neighbors and all. It isn’t a problem in the slightest.” I looked back at him as he grabbed a banana, looked at it as if in awe, and placed it on his tray.

“If you're sure it’s okay?” I questioned.

“Of course. I am headed that way everyday anyway, you see.” He looked at me directly in my eyes. I tried to hide the warmth in my cheeks with my hair, but I knew he saw it because his eyes were staring directly at my cheeks, which were probably pink again. I watched as his lips pulled slightly up on one side, as if he were tryingnotto smile.