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The hallway is busy with the usual Monday morning chaos-students huddling by lockers, everyone either dreading the start of the week or leaning into it.

I'm standing by my locker with Sarah and Meg when I spot her before first period.

She is standing at her locker with her camera bag slung over one shoulder.

Luna Carter, the girl who's been living rent-free in my head all weekend. She's wearing ripped jeans and an oversized sweater that makes her look soft and touchable, and something in my chest moves.

"Earth to Naomi." Serah waves her hand in front of my face. "Are you even listening?"

"Sorry, what?" I tear my eyes away from Luna, but not before I catch her glancing in my direction.

Meg follows my gaze and smirks. "Oh, I see what's got you distracted. Isn't that the photography girl? Since when are you into those?"

"Since now," I say, adjusting my leather jacket on my shoulders. "Ladies, if you'll excuse me."

I ignore their knowing looks and make my way across the hallway, enjoying how Luna's eyes widen slightly as I approach.

She clutches her textbook closer to her chest, like it's some kind of shield that she intends to use and disappear.

"Morning, gorgeous." I lean against the locker next to hers, close enough that I can smell her peachy scent. "Sleep well?"

A light blush colors her cheeks, but she raises an eyebrow at me. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Actually, I would." I step closer, dropping my voice. "I spent half the night thinking about you."

"Only half?" Her response catches me off guard, and I love it. "Sounds like you need to work on your game, Hayes."

Wow.

I'd never imagine the shy yearbook girl would be this sassy.

"Trust me, Carter, my game is just fine."

"If you say so." She closes her locker, but doesn't step back. "Although someone who really had game would probably have my number by now."

Is she... flirting back? The hallway suddenly feels ten degrees warmer and I don't know what to do with that.

"Hand," I demand, pulling a pen from my bag.

"What?"

"Give me your hand." When she hesitantly extends her palm, I grab it, ignoring the little spark I feel at the contact. Her skin is just cold, I convince myself.

Her skin is soft as I write my number in blue ink.

"If you won't give me your number, I'll give you mine," I say, capping the pen with a flourish.

The bell rings, and I can't resist trailing my fingers across her palm as I release it.

"See you around, Lucy."

I hear a gasp and a huff behind me but I only smirk and walk away. Who is off their game now?

I'm halfway through Mr. Peterson's mind-numbing calculus lecture when my phone buzzes.

Unknown: Ink causes cancer, so I heard, and I don't want to die young.

I bite back a smile, quickly saving the number.

Me: Guess you'll have to take the risk. I'm worth it.

Luna: That's debatable. Shouldn't you be paying attention to your class?

Me: Shouldn't YOU be paying attention to whatever class you're in?

Luna: Already finished my assignment. Your turn.

I roll my eyes. Of course.

Me: Boring. I'd rather think about how pretty you look when you blush.

Luna: I don't blush.

Me: Liar. Bet you're blushing right now.

"Miss Hayes." Mr. Peterson's voice cuts through my concentration. "Perhaps you'd like to share with the class what's so fascinating on your phone?"

"Just taking extra notes, sir," I say smoothly, but I slip my phone into my pocket. Not before sending one last text, though:

Me: See you in AP Lit ;)

When sixth period rolls around, I make it to class early.

Campbell Roberts is already in his usual seat next to Luna's desk, and I stride over with one sore purpose.

"Beat it, Roberts."

He looks up, startled. "What?"

"You heard me. Find another seat." I flash him my sweetest smile, the one that usually gets me what I want. "Please?"

"Naomi!" Luna appears behind me, shaking her head. "You can't just-"

"It's cool," Campbell says quickly, gathering his books. "I'll sit with Alex."

As he scurries away, Luna drops into her seat with an exasperated sigh.

"You're such a bully."

"I prefer the term 'assertive.'" I slide into Campbell's abandoned chair, immediately angling it closer to hers. "Besides, he'll live. And now I get to sit next to you."

"Lucky me," she mutters, but I catch the slight upturn of her lips.

Ms. Wilson starts her lecture on "The Great Gatsby," but all I can focus on is how Luna's knee keeps brushing against mine under the desk.

Every time it happens, she shifts slightly but doesn't pull away.

When she reaches for her pen, our hands touch, and the contact sends little sparks up my arm.

"Sorry," she whispers, not sounding sorry at all.

Two can play at that game.

I stretch, deliberately letting my arm rest against hers on our shared desk. She tenses but doesn't move away, and I swear I hear her breath hitch.

"Problem?" I murmur, eyes on Ms. Wilson.

She shoots me a look that's probably meant to be annoyed but comes across as adorably flustered.

"You're my problem."

"You like it." I wink.

The rest of class passes in a haze of stolen glances and "accidental" touches.

By the time the final bell rings, I'm more wound up than I've ever been from just sitting next to someone. Luna gathers her things slowly, and I notice her hands are slightly shaky.

"Walk you out?" I offer, suddenly not ready for our little banter to end. I will be so bored.

She hesitates. "No, thank you."

I shrug and she bites down on her lower lip nervously.

"Will you call me tonight then?" I ask, standing close enough that she has to tilt her head back slightly to meet my eyes.

This usually works.

"Nope." She palms my arm and pushes me away softly. "You're really..."

But I've somehow tuned her out. Instead I find myself wanting to know every thought that passes behind those expressive beautiful eyes, wanting to catalog every shade of her blush, wanting to find out if her lips taste as sweet as they look.

But I can't say any of that without freaking her out, so instead I just clear my throat.

"Come on, Lucy, I really want to make you my girlfriend."

She rolls her eyes but falls into step beside me, and I find myself thinking that maybe this whole dare thing isn't going to be so bad only if she says yes.

Because I really want to kiss her and that part is not for the dare.

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