Arcadia's Gift(59)

I gestured for him to take a look for himself. Aaron and Monica were wrapped up in each other grinding like they’ve been lovers for years. Aaron had this stupid grin on his face like he won the lottery or something. I gave them five minutes before some chaperone went over and broke them up.
“Whoa!” Shawn replied. “She’s cute.”
“She’s more than cute,” I pointed out honestly, unable to mask the hostility in my voice. “She still has the hots for Bryan too.”
“Did she say something to you?”
“She didn’t have to,” I answered. “Call it intuition.”
Bryan returned holding two plastic cups of pink punch. I sniffed and noticed right away that someone had spiked it. Oh, well, I thought, raising it to my lips and drinking it anyway. The strawberry liquid burned down my throat.
“Woah, that’s strong!” Bryan exclaimed after gulping his down.
“Yeah, I saw a few of the football players dumping Smirnoff in the bowl a while ago,” said Shawn.
We talked for a few minutes more before Angelique returned and danced Shawn away.
Bryan took my empty cup and tossed it with his into the garbage. “Come on. Let’s get our picture taken.”
We walked over to the photography area and stood in the short line. When our turn came up, we positioned ourselves in front of a light blue backdrop and posed with our arms around each other. I knew from seeing other people’s homecoming pictures in the past that they always turned out cheesy, but I didn’t care. I was happy having Bryan by my side for the whole school to see.
A slow song came on and the crowd on the dance floor changed. New couples rotating in to rock back and forth with their dates as those who came stag sloughed off to find something to drink.
“Wanna dance?” Bryan asked.
I nodded and let him lead me out by the hand. I kept us on the edge of the crowd and my body in direct contact with his, so I wouldn’t be overcome by the emotions of the crowd again. Bryan pulled me into his arms, and I rested my head on his chest where I could hear his heart beat in time to the music.
Being so close blocked out the vibrations from the others, allowing me to tap fully into him. The same calm glow that I was used to from Bryan was there, but also something else, something that made my pulse quicken and caused me to press against him tighter. I let out a little gasp when I felt the evidence of what it was.
My body stirred in response to his, and I lifted my lips to meet his. His fingers roamed lightly over the exposed skin on my back and down my side. Our breathing turned shallow.
“Oh, Bryan,” I moaned as I pressed myself against him and rode the waves of his closeness.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” he said into my ear, his hot breath sending a shiver down my neck. “I hated the idea of having to take Monica.”
“Why?” I asked, “She’s gorgeous. All of the guys would’ve been jealous of you.”
Bryan shrugged. “She’s pretty, but she’s not you.” Bryan drew back to look me in the eyes. “I’m being honest here…I dated her because she was fun, but I never felt for her what I feel for you.” His hands tightened on my waist and his expression seemed to be waiting for a response. My head spun with the headiness of it all.
“I haven’t dated much,” I admitted. “But I’ve never liked anyone as much as I like you either.”#p#分页标题#e#
His mouth broke into a grin, and he bent to kiss me again.
After two slow songs, the DJ went back to fast ones, so we left the dance floor. My head swam as if intoxicated by him. Bryan steered me over to introduce me to Jeff and Tim, his friends from the jazz band. I remembered Tim from a biology class we had together the year before. He had a reputation for being a talented guitarist, and I’d heard he played in a band with some college guys. Tim’s date, Kelly Locke, lives down the street from me. We used to play with each other sometimes when we were kids. I didn’t catch the name of the mousey-looking girl standing next to Jeff. Her discomfort and self-consciousness was killing my buzz.
“What’re you guys doing after this?” Tim asked. “My parents are gone for the weekend, so I’m having a few people over. You can stop by if you want.”
Bryan looked at me and shrugged.
“I don’t think I really have a curfew,” I said. “My mom never notices me coming or going lately.”
“Okay, maybe we’ll stop by then,” Bryan told him. Tim texted Bryan his address.
The music paused after a song, and a little screech of feedback alerted me to the girl standing on a raised platform trying to get everyone’s attention.