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"I like the new highlights," she said, and I could feel her sainst an to pull back, Elle held me in place Her face was so close to reen eyes

"Uh, Elle?"

Her eyes dropped to my lips, and she licked hers in response "You do feel different," she breathed Then she did soht her lips toplayfully at mine It took me a second to realize this was not a friendly, best friend kiss--if there were such a thing This was an intiather ays did not freak ht to love and desire whomever he or she wanted, but Elle was s for her In the five and half months that’d I’d known her, she had never even hinted that she thought of me like that

"I’m sorry," she whispered behind me

"It’s okay," I said just as softly

"It’s not I don’t knohat ca to make you feel better, and for some reason a kiss came to mind I know you’re strictly dickly, and I wasn’t--"

"It’s okay, really" I turned around "I e, but don’t beat yourself up about it" I sot to have the "lesbian experience so hed shakily "You’re welcome? Jeez, that eird" Her eyesbeneath my skin"

My forehead wrinkled "What do you mean?"

She shook her head noncommittally "You knohen a really powerful olf is near us, we tingle all over?" When I nodded, she continued, "It’s like that, but ten tiod or so about?"

"I don’t know, he didn’tabout that"

"Man," she said with a shiver "You’re kind of a badass now, aren’t you?"

I wasn’t sure if I should smile or frown The part of me from earlier was still elated with the new development, but I had seen what it cost me, and thatall funky aroundmy internal battle

"We?"

"Yes, we," she said "I’o on alone"

"You can’t leave the pack, they need you"

She scoffed, sitting on the bed again "For what, cooking? Chelsea can take over et back"

"I don’t think she’ll be thrilled about that," I said "She hasn’t spoken more than a handful of words since she moved in with us I know she blarabbed the ends of her red hair and inspected it for split ends "There are worse things than beco a olf"

I snorted "Yeah? Like what?"

"She could be dead"

I nodded "Touché"

I continued packing, Elle leavingt-shirts rested on the floor byhis scent My eyes watered, but I refused to cry anymore He had a choice, and if he chose to watchI could do about it I would not grovel at his feet and beg hi and grabbed a few photographs off h school, and another of Adao He stood behind ainst his chest The sun highlighted our s faces I silently yearned to be that blissfully happy again, but hadn’t I told Adam the past was in the past? As much as I wanted hiuys ork it out," Elle said

I didn’t turn around, but her words gave me what I needed most--hope "Thanks"

"That et through one night before he’s pounding on whatever hotel we’re staying in You till be back to devouring each other by tonight"

I looked at her over ht"

"I usually a sounded, and both Elle and I jumped and looked at each other

"What the hell was that?"

"I don’t know," I said, "but it can’t be good"