Claire looked up and bit into her bright pink, glossed-up lips. “Okay.”
They moved off to the side and went to the floor, stretching the way they did before each class. Reese’s eyes kept moving though. She was looking for him and hoping to God that he made it. She didn’t want Claire to be disappointed, and she also didn’t want anything else for Claire to be mad at Phillip about. Phillip still hadn’t told her about them, but she was starting to think that he would soon. Maybe on the drive home… and that made her nervous. She seriously cared for this girl and didn’t want her to hurt, but she agreed that lying to her wasn’t the right thing to do. Not with how much time they were spending with each other, and also with the fact that everyone knew but Claire. Reese just hoped she understood that it was nothing serious, and that Reese would always be in Claire’s life. The girl needed stability and with everyone that was in Claire’s life, there was no reason why she couldn’t have it.
Reaching for her feet, she closed her eyes and really reached for her toes with ease. When she opened her eyes, she saw him. Phillip was rushing through the middle of the hall, dodging around dancers and their parents as he looked around frantically. As always, he was beautiful. Fitted jeans with a plaid green shirt on. His hair was brushed to the side with a green beanie holding it in place. His eyes were shining, his nose pink from the cold air outside and man, she had missed him.
She fought the urge to jump up and wave like a crazed person to get his attention. Instead, she smiled and she said, “Claire, Phillip is here.”
Claire whipped her head behind her and then beamed before hopping up. She called out his name and when his eyes fell on her, his face broke into a grin.
Rushing over to them, he looked worried as he asked, “I didn’t miss it, did I?”
She shook her head before wrapping her arms around his middle. He did the same, hugging her tightly as she said, “Nope, you’re right on time.”
“Awesome,” he said as she pulled away. He looked her up and down, and then asked, “Where is the rest of your costume?”
She glared, and Reese wanted to hit him. “You paid for it,” Claire pointed out.
“I know but I think I need to pay better attention to these purchases.”
Claire laughed as she shook her head. He then looked over at Brian and asked, “Could your mom not afford a shirt?”
For fuck’s sake.
Reese reached out and smacked his arm. She did it before she realized what she was doing and when he grinned over at her, she glared. “Will you shut up?”
“Seriously, Phillip, jeez! It’s a dance!” Claire complained as Brian turned every shade of red possible.
“I’m just asking. Shit, I’ll buy him a shirt,” Phillip said with his hands out towards him. She wanted to laugh but knew she couldn’t, so she shook her head, looking over to make sure Brian’s mom hadn’t heard him.
“Phillip!” Claire stressed, and he shrugged his shoulders as he took in a deep breath.
He then set Brian with a look. “So you’re her dance partner?”
Brian nodded. “Yes sir.”
“Hm, couldn’t play hockey or football? Hell, even baseball?”
Doing it before thinking again, Reese smacked Phillip at the same time Claire did. “Ow!” he yelled, rubbing his arms.
“Will you leave him alone?” Reese said.
“Yeah! Jeez!” Claire yelled as Brian chuckled beside her.
“I do play hockey, sir. I love dancing more though,” Brian said with a grin.
Phillip scoffed. “I bet you do when they wear barely nothing,” he muttered under his breath. Everyone heard him but before Reese could smack him again, he dodged out the way and smiled back at her but, thankfully, Claire still got him. “Fine, one more,” he said, moving out of reach.
“No!” Claire and Reese yelled together.