Free Populazzi by Elise Allen Page B

said with more than a hint of surprise. Was it bad that me looking great surprised him?
    I held up the DVD. "Ready to see
Saw?
"
    "Seesaw? I've always been more of a monkey bars man myself, but sure."
    We said hi to Archer's parents. Bina took in my outfit with a look that made me immensely grateful my mom and Karl were out. If they weren't, I had no doubt Bina would be on the phone with my mom immediately. I put the thought out of my mind and vowed not to think about Bina and Edward being right upstairs while Archer and I did whatever we were about to do. We grabbed two enormous cups of soda—not that I'd be touching mine—and a huge bowl of popcorn, then disappeared into the basement and put in the DVD.
    I honestly can't tell you what happened in the movie. For me it was all about finding moments nerve-racking enough to lurch into Archer's arms and cower close. Luckily, there were a lot of those moments. Within the first fifteen minutes, Archer and I were locked together, gripping each other for dear life. My eyes were technically on the screen, but I saw nothing. I was completely tuned in to my other senses: the smell of Archer's skin, the feel of his body pressing against mine, the sound of his quickening heartbeat thudding against my ear.
    In my head, I pored over Archer's every move. Was he holding me because of the movie or because he really wanted to hold me? His hand was moving on my arm ... was he caressing me or was it just a distracted motion? Was he breathing harder because he was frightened or because we were closer than we had ever been? The few glimpses of the movie that actually sank in were gruesome, hideous, and everything I despised. It was disgusting ... and I wanted it to go on forever.
    Then it ended, and suddenly we had no excuse: we were just two people tangled in each other's arms. We shifted apart awkwardly. I knew what I had to do next—but I was terrified. And thrilled. My heart beat triple time. I felt like I was being chased by wolves.
    Archer licked his lips and smiled. Did he know what I was thinking? Was he thinking the same thing?
    He picked up his soda and took a sip. "So ... what did you think?" he asked. His voice sounded higher than usual. Could he be nervous? Could he be secretly dying to kiss me but too afraid to do it? If so, it really was up to me. It had to be now. I'd never find a better time.
    I shut my eyes for just a second and took a huge breath. This was it. I dove forward to close the gap between my lips and his—
    "Want more popcorn?" he yelled, and leaped back and away so fast that the entire couch toppled over backwards. His soda poured all over us.
    "
Ow!
" I screamed as my head thudded onto the floor.
    "Oh God! Are you okay?" Archer leaped up and held out his hand to help me, but physical contact with him was now the last thing I wanted.
    "I'm fine! I'm fine!" The soda plastered my thin shirt to my body. When I stood, the sticky liquid drained down my legs and into my boots. Then I felt the soda seep into my underwear. Perfect.
    "You're soaked. I'm so sorry. Here, I..." Archer grabbed a bunch of napkins and reached out as if he was going to dab me dry, but he just waved the napkins in front of my drenched skirt and shirt, clearly too mortified to dream of actually touching me.
    He didn't have to worry; he had nothing on me in the mortification department. "It's fine," I said, taking the napkins and uselessly blotting the mess.
    "Cara, I—"
    I couldn't bear an explanation.
    "No, stop," I said. "Please. I'm okay. I just ... I need to go."
    I grabbed my purse and raced up the stairs, but he stopped me halfway.
    "Cara, wait!"
    I winced. I swear I didn't want to hear how much he hoped we could still be friends. Reluctantly I turned and looked at him. The soda had spilled all over him, too. He looked wet and miserable. Of course he was miserable. The idea of my lips touching his had repelled him so much that he chose to risk concussion rather than let it