ROMA SMELLS LIKE LYCHEE and roses when Elle cranes her neck up. The perfume is resting across her pulse spots and Elle plays a figurative connect-the-dots. From the bottom of her jaw to her collarbones, all the way down to the inside of Roma's wrist.
Fuck, she thinks. And for the second time, Roma smiles uncontrollably as they kiss. This is it.
It hasn't been a long run. Elle's only developed this infatuation after winter break but to go along with it? Above all of her expectations. As she sees it, Roma is out of everybody's league because Roma is a literal star. She hardly has enough time for school with her tennis championships and training.
"Do you want this?" Elle whispers. Tentatively. She's never felt quite this vulnerable before.
"I'm not going to hide it if that's what you're scared of," Roma says.
Elle tenses up.
"Have you...?"
"You're my first. But I do know how some people work," Roma replies. "And because this is my first, let me know what hurts you and what doesn't."
"Why did you decide...I mean...me?"
Roma cocks her head to the side and shifts her weight. It dislodges the position that they're both in on Elle's bed but she doesn't mind.
"You've never displayed any interest until the party and my friend Camila, she's constantly getting into relationships like that and they're ephemeral. So is this just a...flirtation...ship?" Elle continues.
A warm laugh fills the room—Roma has that kind of voice.
"Nobody ever walks into a relationship knowing everything about each other. It's about practice," she replies, fingers trailing up her arm. "We can take it easy if you want."
"Oh no," Elle groans. "I was supposed to say that."
"Let's just go on dates for now and we can make it serious later," Roma assures her and she falls on her side.
Elle pulls her in closer and her hands travel down Roma's shirt—that Camila complimented. She feels Roma's hands pull at her hair and they're kissing on her bed—a teenage fantasy.
"Take it easy," Roma jokes, but doesn't get off of Elle.
"Ugh," Elle says.
"I wonder how many dates we have to go on before you insult me."
"Like I do to Jeremy? Would you want that?" Elle starts teasing her.
"Maybe like softer?" Roma laughs. "Like you do to Camila."
"I think we can arrange that."
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Buzzed Hearts
Teen FictionCamila Bean is sort of an expert at dating. That is until she meets Laurent King, the boy she inexplicably develops an instant attraction to within their first few minutes of meeting. Because Laurent King does not do love; Laurent King does not date...
