Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
"What is he doing?" I mumble, more to myself than anyone.
The look of stubborn determination on his face makes my stomach flutter. No one is more obstinate than Gage when he sets his mind on something.
The entire cafeteria falls quiet. It's almost eerie. As Gage passes each row of tables, the occupants nudge one another and then go silent. All eyes are on him…but his eyes are on me. His gaze doesn't deviate or waver as he marches toward me, purpose in his steps.
"Troian," he says, drawing to a stop next to the table. "Come here, butterfly."
I stare at his outstretched hand, not entirely sure what's going on. Is he mad I'm sitting with Corey instead of at our usual table? And why in the world is he dressed in a suit and tie?
In Calculus an hour ago, he was in jeans and a T-shirt.
"This is the part where you get up," Corey hisses, nudging me gently. Well, gently for him. He almost knocks me out of my seat.
I lurch to my feet, trying not to face-plant into Gage's chest.
He grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him.
"It's okay, butterfly," he whispers close to my ear. "Just breathe for me. This will be over soon, I promise."
I eye him warily when he pulls back, not sure what he's talking about. Part of me really wants to hide behind him because I'm pretty sure people are filming us right now. But Gage squeezes my hand in silent reassurance and then looks over his shoulder.
I follow his gaze, and my mouth goes dry. Half a dozen men stand just inside the doors of the cafeteria, each carrying a bouquet. One by one, they make their way across the silent cafeteria to us.
Roses of every color and variety are piled in my arms, their intoxicating scent swirling around me. It's strong enough to dull the unique smell I've always associated with school cafeterias. It's part industrial-strength cleaner, part body odor, part old food…none of which is particularly appetizing or appealing.
Only when the last bouquet, all Osiria roses this time, is in my arms does anyone speak. A ripple of sound goes through the cafeteria, a soft murmur like the sound of wind rustling through the treetops before it falls still again.
The sound of Corey's chair scraping back from the table is ridiculously loud. He grins at me and scoops the flowers from my arms. "I'll hold onto these."
I barely have time to look at him before Gage claims my attention again. He tugs me so close that I'm practically pressed up against him, violating pretty much every rule Principal Wickers has about appropriate displays of affection. My entire body heats up, a shiver working its way through me. It's the same one I feel every time Gage touches me.
"What are you doing?" I whisper-hiss at him.
"What I should have done a long time ago," he says, and then takes a deep breath. "Troian Alessi, will you do me the honor of going to Prom with me?"
He says it loud enough for everyone to hear him.
I gape at him, too stunned to speak.
"When I said I had a date, I was talking about you, butterfly," he says. "I wanted to go with you."
"But…" I probably look like a fish with my mouth hanging open, but I can't seem to get it to close again. If this is a dream and I wake up in my bed, I'm going to cry. I might cry anyway, because he's asking me to Prom, but I already asked Corey.
"I've been madly in love with you pretty much since the day I met you," Gage says, his voice loud enough to carry across the entire cafeteria. "You're the best part of my life. I should have told you that a long time ago, but I'm an idiot. I was afraid you didn't feel the same way. And I was worried that dating me would make you a target because most of our classmates are embarrassing assholes. But I forgot something important, Troian."
"What?" I whisper. My mouth is completely dry. My heart beats a thousand miles a minute. If he weren't hanging on to me, I'm pretty sure I'd be on the floor right now because I can't feel my legs. He just told the entire school that he's in love with me. And then he called them embarrassing assholes.
"You've never needed me to protect you. People already target you and say shitty things about you," he murmurs, tipping my head back so I'm looking at him. "And even though they treat you like crap, you never let it harden your incredible heart. You never let it change the extraordinary person you are. You're beautiful, and smart, and compassionate, and kind, and funny, and so damn sweet. They're mean to you because they know they will never hold a candle to you, butterfly."