Torch Red: Color Me Torn with Bonus Content Read Online Free PDF Page B

you feel like you should be wearing one of those skirts with a poodle on it, but it’sbetter than nothing. And, believe me, I am totally jazzed to be here tonight.
    “What’s up with you guys?” asks Andrea when I go to use the bathroom.
    “Huh?”
    “You and Justin.”
    “We’re together,” I say. “Hadn’t you noticed?”
    She nods. “Of course I noticed. But when did this happen?”
    “We started hanging together during play rehearsals.” I’m willing to explain, since I really do respect Andrea and actually care what she thinks of me. “We have a lot of scenes together and we just sort of hit it off.”
    “Cool.” Then she pats me on the back.
    “Not cool when Katy finds out,” says Kirsti. She emerges from one of the stalls.
    “But they broke up ages ago,” says Andrea.
    “But Katy still likes him.”
    “Like that matters.” Andrea puts on some lip gloss.
    “Katy told me they were getting back together.”
    “Doesn’t look that way to me,” says Andrea.
    “I don’t really think Justin wants to get back with her,” I add. Then Andrea and I leave before Kirsti has a chance to say anything else.
    “She’s probably just jealous,” says Andrea once we’re out of the bathroom. “Maybe she thought she’d have a chance.”
    Suddenly it occurs to me that hanging on to Justin might not be as easy as I’d hoped. But my insecurity melts away when I sit back down at the table across from Justin and see him looking at me. There are lots of kids around and the room is hot and noisy, but for a few seconds it feels like it’s just the two of us. And somehow Ithink this might be the real thing. This might be that big romance I’ve been hoping and waiting for.
    “Want to get out of here?” he asks. I nod.
    We go outside and instead of heading for his car, we walk down Main Street, just talking. He is holding my hand and I am so happy that I think I must be dreaming.
    “I didn’t know what it’d be like, being in the play,” he says as we stop to look in the drugstore window. It’s set up with a Valentine’s Day display of two ice-skating bears surrounded by boxes of candy, stuffed toys, and balloons. Kind of silly, but sort of sweet and romantic too.
    “Yeah, I was surprised that so many kids turned out for it,” I tell him. “But it makes it more fun.”
    “I just figured, hey, it’s my senior year, why not do something totally different? Mix it up a little.”
    “I’m glad you did.”
    “So am I, Zoë.” He turns and looks at me now. “Just think what I would’ve missed.” Then he leans down and kisses me. And, naturally, I kiss him back. We stand there in the streetlights kissing like we’re starring in some old Hollywood flick. Honestly, I almost expect some old movie star to tap dance down the sidewalk, singing some old funny song. That’s how sweet this is.
    Then we walk back to his car and climb inside, where we kiss some more and I feel like I’m being swept away. I mean I am feeling things I’ve never felt before, and Justin is totally in charge of this thing. And it feels like he knows what he’s doing.
    Then his hand lands in a place that makes me feel uncomfortable and suddenly I am sitting up and sort of pushing him away. He looks startled, then nods as if he understands. “I’m sorry, Zoë.” He straightens himself in the driver’s seat. “I guess I got carried away.”
    I start feeling pretty silly. Like maybe I’m totally lame or justimmature or maybe I
am
a real prude. Still, it’s like whatever was going on—I mean the moment, the magic—well, it’s all kind of lost on me now. “I’m sorry,” I mutter.
    “No, Zoë,” he assures me. “It’s not your fault. I was just moving too fast.” He runs a hand through his dark silky hair. “I mean this is just our first date.”
    I’m feeling like I can breathe again. “Yeah,” I agree. “And it’s been really cool. I’ve had a great time, Justin. My head is spinning.”
    He laughs as he starts