Free Black Sheep by Tabatha Vargo

door and kissed me sweetly on the lips.
    “I had fun tonight,” he said.
    I nodded. “Me too.”
    “We should do it again. And again. And again.”
    I laughed and gripped at my sore stomach. I hadn’t laughed so much and so hard in a long time. Not since the last time I’d hung out with Amber before leaving for school.
    “My stomach hurts from laughing so much. Thank you for that. I really needed to get out and let my hair down for the night.”
    “Well, you look amazing with your hair down. I definitely think you should continue this look.” He grinned.
    I felt my skin blush when a heated rush filled my cheeks. I wasn’t used to the kind of attention Russell gave me. There were guys growing up, but it was different. I couldn’t decide if I liked it or not.
    “Can I text you later?” he asked.
    I nodded. “I’d like that.”
    And then he leaned in once more and placed yet another soft kiss on my lips. We said our good nights and then he was gone, leaving me to make my way inside my room.
    From that point on, we talked every day. And when we got a few seconds of free time, we were at the café close to the school eating things we shouldn’t and laughing about something ridiculous. It was nice to have someone there who I felt comfortable with since Amber’s schedule clashed with mine and we could never get away.
    It didn’t hurt that Russell kept me from thinking about Tyson, which I never thought would happen. He had amazing timing. Whenever I’d find my mind dancing around the subject of anything to do with Tyson, I’d get a text message from Russell with a funny meme attached.
    It worked, and whatever worked was best. He was my friend—a friend I kissed occasionally—and that was a good starting point.
    “So tell me about him,” Amber said, taking a bite of her chicken.
    We’d met up for lunch at a restaurant at our halfway point. She looked amazing—tired, but absolutely stunning. She was really coming into her own in New York, and I found myself jealous.
    She never even mentioned home, while it was all I could think about. I felt like a child. There she was, spreading her wings the way we’d planned, and all I could think about was going home to see my mom and dad for winter recess.
    “He’s nice,” I said, trying to hold back my smile.
    “Uh-huh, I see that big, goofy grin.” She laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day when you were smiling like that over a guy who wasn’t Tyson, but I’m glad. I hated to see you dwell over Ty. It was making you crazy.”
    She was right.
    It was still making me crazy, even if I didn’t want to admit it.
    “I know. It’s different.”
    I didn’t know if it was different good or different bad, but I was going to go with the flow and hope for the best.
    “You going home for Christmas?” I asked, changing the subject.
    She shook her head. “Nope. We’re going to Aunt Loretta’s house in Virginia. Save me now.” She rolled her eyes before sticking a forkful of salad into her mouth.
    “You could always come home with me. You know Mom and Dad would love that.”
    She smiled. “I know. I miss them. They’re more like parents than my own parents, but I already agreed. I figured it was the least I could do since I haven’t had time to call home much. My schedule’s ridiculous.”
    I already knew that, but I didn’t say anything. Amber was doing well for herself. I wasn’t about to slow her down by complaining that she was too busy for me. I wouldn’t do that to her. I understood pre-med made for a rigorous schedule.
    After lunch, we hugged it out on the sidewalk outside the restaurant and went our separate ways. I’d told her about the winter production, but unfortunately, she couldn’t make it. It sucked, but I totally understood.
    Instead of taking a cab back to school, I walked and took in the city life. I hadn’t done that enough, and I needed something to take my mind off the crazy surrounding me. By the time I got back to school, I