Chapter 51

Luca’s lips just barely, barely brush mine before I gasp and shove him away.

“Luca!” I shout, stumbling backwards a few steps and staring up at him with wide eyes.

“Oh my god, Ari!” he shouts, digging his hands into his hair and turning from me in frustration, clenching his jaw. “What are you seriously!? What are we even here for if we’re not going to –”

“Luca!” I shout again, stomping my foot and going completely rigid with my own anger. “You are not being fair – you told me to come here tonight for a conversation, and then you try to –” I hesitate now, stumbling over my words in my embarrassment, “what, make out with me!?”

Luca laughs an ironic little laugh and turns back at me, glaring. “Well, isn’t that the point, Ari? What do you want from me? Why are you pulling me into a secret dream if not to –“

“I don’t know!” I half shout, half moan, my arms stiff at my side as I turn my head up to the sky and press my eyes shut, overwhelmed and frustrated. “We just – we are not on the same terms here! And I don’t want to do anything with you unless –”