Free Perfectly Messy by Lizzy Charles Page A

he texted me. He usually calls, a true sign of being homeschooled.
    Ian: You get to meet my new baby tonight! Still on for finishing our project after the game?
    I reply then turn back to the court as the crowd roars. Jaclyn’s slapping Lucy’s butt as she books it back down the court for zone defense.
    Seriously? I suck! I missed something amazing…Again!
    I shut down my phone. Screw this. New rule: around Lucy, I’m completely unreachable.
    I reach back, massaging my right shoulder, allowing myself to finally relax. There. My God. I’ve got to turn off that phone more often.
    The game’s quick. Lucy and Jaclyn don’t even play the last quarter, giving up their positions to some JV players. Classy move. There’s no point in running circles when someone else could have court time. It’s more fun for everyone if there’s actually a game.
    I spend the rest of the game flirting with Lucy from across the court. She tosses me her scrunched up nose flirt look, which looks a bit like an awkward bunny and she knows it. This time is gold. Time to just look at one another. She’s gorgeous and, as she sticks out her tongue at me, she becomes the cutest thing.
    That sassy brunette makes me crazy in a way she’ll never understand.
    And that scares me more than anything else.
     
    ***
     
    “How is it that you still smell like apples even when you’re covered in sweat?”
    “You think I smell like apples?” She pushes into me.
    “Yes. Apples are my favorite fruit.”
    “Okay, I’ll take that.” She takes out the elastic in her hair, letting it tumble over her shoulders, drawing my eyes down to her chest. I force myself not to stare, noticing instead how she sticks a sandwich pick at the French fries in front of her.
    “You okay?” French fries aren’t usually safe in front of this girl.
    She picks up three of the crunchiest fries and balances them upright in a teepee. Her crystal blue eyes then find mine and with a sigh, she says, “I miss you.”
    My hand finds hers, tiny in my palm and always so cold. It’s selfish, but I like it that way. As if her hands can only be warm in my own. “I know that this sucks. It’s going to get better after the campaign. I swear. Only a few days left.”
    She nods. “Yeah. I can handle that.” She slides her foot up my calf, causing shock waves to travel much higher. Frick. “And then I’ll see you more?”
    “Yes, trust me. I’m not letting anything take me away from you.”
    Her smile glows. My heart sinks. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her look so happy. It shouldn’t be like that.
    “So, what are you up to after this?” She pops a fry in her mouth.
    “Last meeting with Ian to finish our Psych project.”
    “When do you need to leave?”
    I glance at my phone. “Thirty minutes.”
    A frown briefly shows before she covers it up, using a napkin to wipe her mouth. God, I’m so lucky. Most girls would be lecturing me for neglecting them. Here she is, trying to hold it together for me.
    “A few more days?”
    “That’s it. It’ll be post-election, post-midterms.”
    “Okay.”
    “Can I call you tonight when we’re done?”
    “I’d love that.”
    “It’s gonna be late. Like, we’re talking past midnight?”
    “I’ll be up. I’d love more time to hear your voice.”
    My phone flashes eight twenty-two. Lucy dips her French fry in our malt and winks at me as she eats it. With that wink, my heart becomes heavier, knowing I have to leave soon. It shouldn’t hurt like this when she’s still so close.
    I step out of my side of the booth and slide in next to her. As I wrap her in my arms, I take a whiff. Apples and cinnamon. The perfect apple pie. She rests her head on my shoulder and the ache ceases as the warmth of being with her takes over.
    There. Perfect.
     
    ***
     
    “Solid. Let’s make sure to mention the Pavlovian dogs in the conclusion, and we’re set,” Ian says as he tosses his pen in the air.
    “Right, that woman has conditioned