Chapter 3The Practice Run

In a dimly lit corner of the VIP booth, Mason and Mia, the Homecoming Queen, were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.

Mia was wearing a crop top and a tight denim skirt, showing off her tiny waist and long legs. They were visibly isolated from the rest of the group, whispering so closely their faces were practically touching.

Even through the screen, the intense, flirtatious chemistry was suffocating.

My chest tightened uncontrollably.

Mason had said this afternoon that he wanted to pursue her. It looked like he had already succeeded by nightfall.

Mia drew a "Truth or Dare" card that required a guy to do push-ups with a girl lying underneath him.

Unsurprisingly, Mason immediately stood up.

The crowd started howling.

Blushing, Mia obediently lay down on the leather sofa.

Mason hovered over her, knocking out dozens of push-ups without breaking a sweat. For most of it, he maintained extreme control, carefully avoiding touching Mia's body.

Until the very last one. I don't know if his arms finally gave out, or if he did it on purpose.

He collapsed, pressing his entire body directly against hers.

The screaming in the room reached a fever pitch, nearly blowing the roof off.

Both Mason and Mia's faces turned bright red.

Encouraged by the insane cheering of the crowd, Mason simply lowered his head and kissed Mia.

A deep, passionate French kiss, completely ignoring everyone else in the room.

It lasted a full three minutes before they reluctantly parted.

For those agonizing three minutes, I stared unblinkingly at the screen. I was so numb I almost forgot to breathe.

My heart felt like it was being ripped apart alive. I wanted to cry, but I had cried so much that afternoon I literally had no tears left.

"Ugh, did you see that, Emma? They were practically making out. He's obsessed."

Lily sighed as she flipped the camera back and walked out of the loud booth to a quiet hallway.

She looked at me seriously.

"Emma, don't be mad at me. If I didn't make you see this with your own eyes, you would never give up."

My throat was parched. The words scraped like sandpaper when I finally spoke.

"Yeah. I don't blame you."

I only blamed myself for being an idiot for so many years.

I thought that just because I was allowed to stay by Mason's side, that spot belonged to me forever.

"I just can't stand Mason. He knows you've liked him for years, yet he plays the innocent boy stringing you along, watching you fall deeper and deeper.

"You saw it clearly tonight. I really hope you think this through. Don't let him ruin your four years of college on the East Coast..."

"He won't, Lily."

I cut her off, my voice eerily calm.

"I'm not giving myself another chance to be a fool.

"Lily, I've made up my mind. I'm going to college in California with you. But you have to promise to keep it a secret for now."