Free The Firefly Effect by Allie Gail Page B

bubblegum pop type, but will she admit it?
    “Oh my gosh, are you serious? I love that song too! That’s so weird. I can’t believe how much we have in common.”
    Ri-i-ight.
    Because I’m bored and for no other reason, I decide to press on. Just to see how far she will take this charade. “Really? You’re into Rob Zombie?”
    “Oh, I just love him!” she gushes.
    “Cool. So which of his songs do you like best?” It’s probably mean of me to set this trap, but her cutesy phoniness is getting annoying.
    “Which do I like the best? Oh. Hm.” Pretending to think it over, she tilts her head and taps a manicured fingernail against her lips. “Well, I can’t decide. I pretty much like them all. Especially the one you just mentioned. That’s my favorite.”
    “ Dragula? ”
    “Yes! That one.” She beams at me brightly and I want to facepalm my own forehead.
    Out on the dance floor, I see Melanie with her arms around Jake Hoffman’s neck. Lucky bastard. Not that I don’t like Jake – we get along fine – but seeing him all over Melanie makes me itch to rearrange his face for him. Must be the caveman in me. I could easily see myself throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her off, kicking and screaming.
    Damn, I kinda like that. Maybe I’ll use that image while I’m jerking off my frustration later.
    Because clearly I am not getting lucky tonight. Not that I couldn’t – the way Brianna’s fawning over me, she’s practically a sure thing – but no matter how hot she is, it’s just not worth it. If I so much as kiss this chick, there will be no getting rid of her. I have a feeling the clingy little barnacle in green satin would stalk me from now until graduation. I don’t need that kind of aggravation.
    Melanie’s wearing red tonight.
    I’ve never seen her look more beautiful. It’s hard to keep my eyes off her, and yet it almost hurts to look at her for long. She could outshine a goddess. There are white flowers woven through the hair that hangs down in soft curls, and when she dances with Jake, the fabric of that eye-catching red dress swirls gracefully around her legs. What I wouldn’t give to be the one holding her in my arms.
    Do I have balls enough to ask her for a dance?
    Not likely. For one thing, she finds me repulsive. And then there’s the little matter of our respective dates. Jake probably wouldn’t mind if I cut in, but Brianna won’t like it. For that matter, Melanie won’t like it. She won’t want her perfect night tarnished by someone she can’t stand.
    So I move to the slow songs with Brianna and try to put the idea out of my head. But now that it’s there, the damn thing has put down roots and is only growing stronger.
    Half an hour later I see my chance. Brianna’s excused herself to visit the restroom with a cluster of girls – why do they always go in groups like that and what do they DO in there? – and Melanie is wandering over to the refreshment table alone. I don’t know where Jake has disappeared to, and I don’t care. I’m going to ask her and if she tells me to go screw myself, then so be it. At least I can say I tried.
    But when I sidle up beside her, I can’t seem to find the words.
    I am so out of my league here.
    By some bizarre coincidence the song that’s playing is The Lady in Red and I know that it has to be a sign. There was never a song that was more perfect for this moment. The stars are in perfect alignment and the universe is giving me one shot.
    She turns her head and I part my lips to speak but nothing comes out. I don’t know what to say. What do you say to a goddess? She’s giving me a strange look and I’m blowing it and I know this may be the only opportunity I ever have to feel this girl in my arms. So I do the only thing I can.
    I take her hand and simply walk her out to the dance floor. I fully expect her to resist but even though she seems puzzled, she allows me to lead her into the crowd. And then I have her, I have this beauty