Strange and Lovely (Part 1) Read Online Free PDF

away. And if we broke up, I would have nobody to turn to.”
    Declan put his hand under my arm, his skin rough against mine. “Maybe your other relationships didn’t work out because they aren’t the kind of people you’re supposed to be with. And you could try to push me away as much as you want. I’ll always be there for you. If you wanted to bitch about me, I would nod and agree about what an asshole I am.”
    I laughed again, and leaned toward him. His forehead brushed against my forehead. He lowered his head, so his mouth was right next to mine, and I could almost taste the spearmint scent of his breath.
    I tipped my head, and our lips touched. A current of electricity shot through me. I felt his warm tongue slide between my teeth. His hands moved to my arms, and I could feel his nails grip my skin. I kissed him harder, standing up to be closer to him. He stood up as well, and one of his legs slipped between my legs. Our lips moved against each other with hungry vigor. I forgot that we were in a bar or even in New York City. I forgot that this was my best friend.
    His nails sank deeper into my skin, and I could feel my skin starting to tear. I pulled away from him, rubbing my arms. He looked dazed for a couple of seconds, and then noticed the marks on my arms. He flushed.
    “Rory, I’m so sorry,” he started.
    “Don’t be,” I said. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, opening his mouth with mine. I could feel him smile underneath my lips. “It was incredible.”
    I wanted to tell him how the pain was good in the beginning, but he pressed his lips against my mouth again and all of my thoughts scattered into the night.
    ***
    I walked up to the Omega Zeta house with Declan. I wore a little black dress, while Declan was in the same black clothes he wore at the bar.
    “Do we have to go to this jerk’s party?” he asked.
    “You don’t even know him,” I said.
    “I know he’s a guy that wears expensive clothes, and touched you when he talked to you,” Declan said. “That’s enough to make me want to punch his face in.”
    Before I left, Kaylee told me there’s usually a $5 charge for going into the frat parties, but a lot of girls go in for free. We walked up to the door. The guy standing there nodded at me, but Declan begrudgingly had to pay the five dollars.
    The house is packed with people. Declan groaned. I grabbed his hand, and led him toward the keg.
    “You know, we could have had drinks for free at the bar,” he said. “I mean, we would have to hide from my brother, but it’s still free.”
    I filled a Dixie cup with beer, and handed it to him.
    “You need this,” I said. “Drink and be happy.”
    “Is that a college motto?” he asked, but he took a gulp of the beer. I filled another cup for myself, and took a sip. I heard laughter, and turned to look toward the living room. Sam was talking to a group of his friends, making elaborate hand motions that looked like he was either playing baseball or stirring a butter churn. Sam glanced over toward me, and grinned.
    “Hey, Rory!” he called. Of course, the first time I have Declan with me, Sam remembered to use my name. Sam strode over to me. He looked at Declan for a second, and turned his back on him. “How are you, my little teacher’s pet?”
    “Sam,” I said, grabbing Declan’s hand and pulling him toward me. “This is Declan. We’re...together.”
    Sam raised one of his eyebrows. He took a sip of his beer, and looked Declan up and down. Declan gritted his teeth. “Okay...anyway, do you want some Jell-O shots, Rory? They should be solid enough by now.”
    I looked over at Declan. He stared at the side of Sam’s face like he was aiming for where his fist was going to go. I wrapped my arm around his. His body relaxed. “No thanks, Sam. Declan and I are going to go dance.”
    I pulled Declan to the living room, where people were either shifting their feet as a noncommittal way to dance or grinding against each