Temporarily Mine

14

HERO

Josephine, Kathrine , and the other two run into the haunted maze with a bunch of other girls while us guys stay out front, both Felix and myself walking toward the exit the moment they disappear.

Twisting the lid off my water bottle, I take a drink and offer one to Felix, but when I glance over, finding him eyeing me curiously, it's obvious he's got something to say.

"What?"

He hesitates. "I know you don't want to hear this, but I don't think what you're doing is a good idea."

"Yeah, why's that?"

"Josephine's not like the girls you've dated, H. She stays out of drama, cares about school, thinks about her future."

"You think I don't know all that?"

"How would you, you've steered clear of her for years. All of a sudden you're forced to be her partner in class, and you've changed your mind?"

I glare long enough for him to look away, not speaking until he forces himself to face me.

"You're acting like you don't know the ins and outs of why, man. You're my best friend, or you're supposed to be, but right now I'm gettin' the vibe you're against me here."

"I'm not," he says. "But I don't want to see this end up in ruins either."

"It's been a fuckin' day, bro. Less than twenty-four hours if you wanna be technical."

"That's my point." Felix frowns. "Less than a day, and all the girls believe it, you're touching her, and she's letting you?" his eyes widen. "And I don't know if you just played it right or what, but it looked like you kissed her."

"And if I did? What's the issue, Felix?"

He shakes his head. "I'm just saying it's kinda soon for you two to be acting this comfortable with each other."

"Maybe we are."

His head pulls back. "Are what?"

"Comfortable with each other." I toss my water bottle in the garbage. "Like you said." The girls' light screams have me stepping closer to the exit, knowing they're coming out soon, but I keep my body facing his. "She's chill. I'm chill." I give a small shrug. "Faking it ain't all that hard, my man."

The girls rush out in the next second, each one in small fits of laughter, and our attention shifts to them.

Mandy smiles but then lets out a small growl as she shoves Josephine into me. "Spank her, Hero, she deserves it."

Josephine's hand plants on my chest and she looks up, blue eyes full of laughter. "Sorry. She's being a hater because I pushed her through the clown part ahead of us."

A low chuckle leaves me, but all I can focus on is the spank her part.

Josephine clears her throat, smiles and turns to her friends.

"I'm hungry," she announces. "Can we go get some food now?"

"We just ate a few hours ago!" Mandy points out.

"Shellfish," Josephine argues, looking at her like she's crazy. "I'm a normal human. I need hardcore carbs to fill me up."

"But the swing line is low!" Kathrine  pouts and tries to reason. "There'll be snacks out for us when we get back."

Josephine's shoulders fall, her head snapping my way when my arm lands across her.

"I'll take her to get some food while you ride the swings, and we'll meet you on the next ride."