Don't Tell Read Online Free Page B

mind.”
    “ What is it?”
    She sighed nervously, and then scooted over to the center seat. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
    I smiled. “Yes... Wait. I mean no. I mean...” now it was my turn to stutter. “I like you sitting here.”
    With my words, she relaxed into the seat. Every part of my body suddenly became aware of her close proximity. I wanted her to scoot even closer. I wanted...
    “ You were awesome tonight,” Lucy interrupted my thoughts.
    “ Thanks.” I couldn't help but smile. “So how was the ride up?”
    “ Umm... Well, Addison and Mandy rode with us.” She cleared her throat. “I'm really glad you asked me to ride home with you.”
    “ I wouldn't want you to suffer through another 3 hour ride with Mandy and Addison.”
    I didn't have to look at Lucy to know that she was smiling. “I got caught up on all the latest gossip. I now know more than I ever wanted to about everybody at Paradise High School.”
    “ Oh yeah? Any rumors about me that I should know?”
    She shifted awkwardly. “Umm... No.”
    “ If you don't want to tell me, it's fine,” I joked. “I'm sure I'll read about it on Facebook later.”
    Lucy sighed. “Apparently you and I hooked up at Derek Freeman's party on Friday night.”
    I cleared my throat. “Oh.” I was unsure of what to say. I glanced over at Lucy and she was biting her lip. “Well, since we've already hooked,” I winked at her, “we should go out... like on a date...”
    “ Really?” She sounded genuinely surprised.
    “ Do you want to? On Friday?”
    “ I would like that,” she whispered.
    Lucy leaned closer and put her head on my shoulder, and I put my arm around her. For once in my life, I hated having a manual transmission.
    “ Do you know how to drive a stick shift?” I asked her.
    She seemed embarrassed by my question. “Well, actually, I don't know how to drive. Like at all.”
    “ Oh.” I wasn't sure how to respond to her confession. “I could teach you.”
    “ Ian?”
    “ Yeah?” I answered.
    “ Why did you ask me out Friday night?”
    I was stunned by her question. “Because I've had a crush on you since we were 4 years old, and it's taken me 13 years to get up the nerve.”
    She waited a few seconds before responding. “I'm glad you asked me out.”
    “ Me too.”

 
     
     
    Five
    First date
     
     
     
    Lucy
    The week dragged slowly by, but at last, Friday was here. When I woke up that morning everything was perfect. The sun was shining, and there were birds singing outside my window. I too would have been singing and dancing if it weren't for Charles, who was passed out in the next room.
    Even Tess had shown up early. She helped me pick out the perfect outfit for my upcoming date.
    On the way to school, we both sung along with the radio.
    “ I knew getting a boyfriend would turn you into a morning person,” she yelled over the music.
    “ Ian is not my boyfriend,” I reminded her.
    “ At least not yet, but he will be after tonight.”
    I rolled my eyes at her, but I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my lips. “It's just one date. That doesn't mean anything.”
    “ With Ian Winters, it means something,” she quickly countered. “He's never been on a date with anybody , and yet, here he is, taking you out. The boy obviously has feelings for you.”
    I tried to think of something to say, but what could I say to that? It was true that he had never been on a date with anybody else... Or at least, not that we know of. And he admitted Tuesday night that he had a crush on me since we were 4... I just hoped that I didn't do something to screw it up.
    “ Why would Ian want to take me out though?” I asked softly.
    “ Why not you, Lucy?” she said with amusement in her voice. “You're the prettiest girl at Paradise High School... Aside from me,” she added with a wink. “You have perfect blonde hair, big blue eyes, long legs and a body that all the girls envy. Why would he not want to date you?”
    Once again, I