Free Breathe by Elena Dillon

talking really loud. So we walked over that way.
    “Good evening, ladies.” Easton smiled at them. Hi’s and heys could be heard all around. “Julia, I will leave Jasmine in your hands. Please take good care of her for me.” He winked and walked away.
    Good grief, was it possible to die from an overdose of charming hotness?
    The girls were giggling as we walked into the house. I texted my mom to tell her I was back at Julia’s. We all tromped upstairs like a herd of elephants. We got into our jammies and settled into sleeping bags to rehash the night’s events. I realized I was happy. A cute boy liked me, I had friends I really bonded with, and I felt like a regular teenager again. Would that end the minute I told him who I was? I really hoped not. It had been a perfect night so far. Well, almost perfect if I ignored that text—and I intended to. There was nothing I could do about it now. I was more worried about Easton’s reaction to my story. I hoped he wouldn’t think I was more baggage than I was worth when I told him. I had a knot in my stomach from thinking about it. Would he even want to know me? I guess I would find out soon. I knew he wasn’t going to be put off much longer.
    I did force the girls to tell me some of their most embarrassing moments while we were settling in for the night. We laughed so loud at one of Mandy’s stories that Julia’s mom had to come in and hush us. At least we were on even ground now.
    An hour and a half later, Julia and I were the only ones still awake, watching the girly movie we had picked out, when my phone pinged. It was a text from Easton.
    Are you awake?
    I looked at Julia. She was still watching the movie, but she was smiling. I answered.
    Yes. Watching a chick flick. U?
    I put my phone down. It was just too pathetic to stare at the phone until he answered. I tried to concentrate on the movie. It pinged again in just a matter of seconds.
    Thinking about u. Can u talk?
    Hmm. Could I talk? I didn’t want to take the phone in the bathroom and have him think that I was peeing or something. Besides, if you think people can’t hear what you are saying when you’re in the bathroom, I’m here to tell you it’s probably the easiest room in the house to eavesdrop. Daisy used to talk to boys in the bathroom, and I knew everything she was up to. Well, obviously not everything. So, not the bathroom. Outside?
    “Julia?”
    She grabbed the remote and paused the movie. “What’s up?” She was looking at me expectantly.
    “That was Easton texting me. He asked if I could talk, but I don’t want to bother you or your family. Do you mind if I go outside? Would your parents mind if I sat by the pool for a few, if I’m quiet?”
    “You know he really likes you, right?” she said with a smile.
    “I don’t know,” I told her.
    “Jasmine, I know him. He’s friends with my brother. He’s crazy about you. Go sit on one of the lounge chairs out there. My parents won’t care.” I thanked her and texted him back that I needed to go outside.
    I made sure all the lights were on by the pool, so I could sit out there without hyperventilating. I hoped they didn’t disturb anyone, but even with the moon out, it was still pretty dark. Once I got settled on the lounge chair on the far side of the pool, I took a deep breath and pushed Send.
    “Hello, gorgeous,” he said, answering the phone.
    I laughed. “All right, Mr. Charming, you can tone it down now. Your Aunt Bellie was right. I better watch out.”
    He chuckled and his voice sounded gravelly.
    I shivered and told myself it was chilly out here. Right.
    “Now don’t go putting too much stake in what Aunt Bellie says. She just likes to make trouble for me.”
    I’m sure she did. “Sounded to me more like a warning for my own good.” I probably needed a warning if I was going to keep my head with him and all his hotness.
    “Well, I can’t see that you would be needin’ that. I think it’s the other way around. I