Mine, Not Hers (True Love Book 1) Read Free Page A

himself physically forced him to come and talk to me. Now I feel even more alone than I did before he sat down. Like Earth tilted just a bit, and everyone but me flew off. His eyes looked so deeply into mine. I've never known a feeling like that before. I feel exposed .
    The bell rings loudly and jolts me out of my trancelike state. I don’t know if I can get my brain to make my legs work. He was only with me for a couple of minutes, which means I’ve been daydreaming for half an hour. I have to shake loose the euphoria surrounding me to stand and walk to my next class. I feel a little off . I'm bumping into people in the halls, and I know my body is in the chair in class, but I can't seem to process anything being said. Like I’m an alien floating around above who doesn't speak the language.
    Thankfully, the day is almost over. Crap! I have P.E. next. I don't know what we're doing in class today, but I saw him during this class on Friday. It's possible I might melt if I see him. Colleen comes bounding up to me.
    "Hey! Where were you at lunch? I looked all over for you. Kevin saw that I was alone and came and sat next to me. We talked the entire time; I didn't even eat! He is so sweet. He asked me out for Saturday. Well, kind of. There’s a bonfire that some kids are having at the lake, and he asked if I was going. You have to come with me."
    Before I can respond, the P.E. teacher blows her whistle and tells the class to get dressed and meet in the gym. We're doing basketball today. Thankfully, that means no more accidental meetings outside on the field with Jason. I don’t know how much my poor heart can take in one day.
    The following week goes by achingly slowly. No sign of Jason at all. I’ve been replaying our meeting in my head, wishing he would give me another chance to not make a jerk of myself. Trying to avoid running into him in the cafeteria, I keep to my routine of eating outside. The weather is cooperating for this time of year, so that’s a good excuse.
    Colleen has been mooning over Kevin every chance she gets. Lunchtime is their time together. The football game on Friday is away, and Colleen's parents are going out so she’s watching her brothers. I opt to stay home and read instead, but in exchange I agree to go to the lake with her on Saturday. Kevin is meeting her there with his friends. I’m hoping this may be a second chance with Jason.
    * * *
    Even though I’m petite, I can still work some curves if the jeans are tight enough. Mine are so snug, I have to lie down on the bed to zip them. I put my hair back into a thick ponytail, knowing that around the lake it will frizz like crazy. I throw on a light blue Polo sweater and boots. I know it’ll be cold and windy so I grab my jacket as well. A little mascara and lip gloss, courtesy of Colleen, and I’m ready. My mom agrees to drive us - she’s fallen in love with Colleen - but the real reason she’s so eager is to get a chance to check out our other friends.
    She drops us at the public beach entrance to Lake Michigan. The sun is going down, and we see a small group of kids on the beach. One of the girls calls out Colleen’s name, and she grabs my hand to amble down to where they’re sitting. Kevin is already here with two friends that I recognize from the party. Jason is nowhere to be seen. Even though I know she wants to go hangout with him, Colleen proves a good friend and stays by my side. She introduces me to the other girl, who then introduces us to two more. They all seem nice. I give her a little nudge to let her know it’s OK for her to go and sit by Kevin. She takes the cue instantly, and smiles a huge smile as she walks - no struts - over to him. She makes me laugh.
    He and his friends are trying to get the fire started before the sun goes down, and they’re having trouble. They’re all laughing, and he can't seem to take his eyes off of Colleen. I’m sitting with the other girls on a large tartan blanket. One of the girls, I