35

LUNA

CHRISTMAS IS A WEEK AWAY and Gina Cushaw was hosting her annual party at her house. She was one of the few girls on the cheer squad I could endure and didn't shun me after I'd quit.

The backyard, strung with fairy lights, offered a more relaxed atmosphere. The soft glow of the lights cast a warm, inviting ambiance over the party, contrasting with the more frenetic energy inside the house. Gina went all out this year.

I stood with Maya at the refreshment table, laughing as we refilled our cups. She was complaining about having to see her sister again. Her sister was always an overachiever, and Maya never felt like she could compete.

"What happened to telling Hudson how you felt?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I blushed, glancing around the area for any eavesdroppers before leaning closer.

"The timing has been wrong."

She rolled her eyes.

"Then make it right."

There was no point arguing because she was right. My attraction to him defied all logic and reason. Every time I saw him, it was as if the world tilted on its axis, and he became the irresistible center of gravity.

Our conversation ranged freely until I noticed something in the patio corner that drew my attention. I saw Stacy sidling up to Hudson, her hand touching his arm as she leaned down to whisper something in his ear. A pang of jealousy shot through me, and I found it difficult to focus on my conversation with Maya. From my peripherals, I watched as her flirting became more blatant. My stomach twisted in knots to the point I couldn't stand it any longer. With a determined stride, I waltzed up to them.

"Hey Stacy, do you mind if I steal Hudson for a second?" I asked, forcing a polite smile.

She frowned, displeased, but she nodded and walked away. Hudson folded his arms across his chest, a smug expression on his face.

"You're cute when you're jealous."

I rolled my eyes, hoping to hide my embarrassment.

"I'm not jealous."

"Sure thing, Snow." He said, his smirk widening. "I guess I'll continue my conversation with Stacy."

Before I could think, I leaned in and kissed him. It was impulsive, driven by a mix of jealousy and the need to prove a point. He stiffened at first but kissed back, his hands finding their way to my waist. My face was scorching as we pulled away. I couldn't meet his eyes, but the smug grin on his face told me everything I needed to know.

"I knew you were jealous." He said. "Don't worry, Snow, you're my only girl."

I couldn't stop the fluttering in my chest. His face softened with an unguarded tenderness, his eyes tracing my every feature with a gentle reverence as if committing the detail to memory. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze, and a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"What are you looking at?"

"You kissed me." He said, the smugness radiating from his voice.

"I was trying to prove a point." I said, trying to regain my composure.

"If you say so." He said, leaning closer. His warm breath tickled my cheeks. My breath hitched as our lips were about to brush, but he pulled away at the last second."If that's the case," He whispered. "I won't kiss you until you ask me to."

He excused himself to get a drink, leaving me stunned and my heart racing. Frustration and longing bubbled inside me as I watched him walk away. The party continued around me, but all I could think about was the kiss that had turned my world upside down.

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