Bad Girls Don't Die (31 page)

I put my finger to my lips.
Shhh.

He shushed, then looked at me helplessly.

Once upon a time, I thought I knew a handsome boy named Carter, who always had the right answers and knew everything about the way the world worked.

I don’t know him anymore.

I guess he never really existed.

“I ruined tonight, didn’t I? I didn’t mean to,” he said. He shook his head, annoyed at himself. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I said.

And then I kissed him.

And it was perfect.

He took my hand and held it like I might run away.

“Really?” he asked. I smiled. “Really.” Then I kissed him again. The front door opened, spilling light on us. Megan and Luke came out the front door, followed by Mom, who waited on the porch, camera at the ready.

“I’ll be right back,” I said to Carter.

I ran back to Mom.

“I have a boyfriend,” I whispered to her.

She smiled. “Watch, I’m not going to cry.”

“Don’t you dare. I’ll be home by midnight.”

“Come say good night when you get in.”

“Love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, Alexis,” she said. “You’re a good girl.” I kissed her on the cheek and walked back to the car, happiness overflowing out of me and spilling up into the starry sky.

A good girl.

I can live with that.