Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

“We love you, Clay!” some of my classmates scream as I lead the group
and finish the dance.
I close my eyes, soaking up all the phone cameras recording us and the
pictures that would survive of Clay Collins long after I’m gone. Images that
will show who I am far louder than I can ever say in words.
Homecoming Queen.
Prom Queen.
Omega Chi sweetheart, and something nice to look at.
That’s me.
I open my eyes, immediately seeing myself in the window of a parked car
at the curb. I bring up my hand, pushing the lock of blonde hair back in place.
We all have to be something, I guess.
• • •
“Are you sure you have to go?” Krisjen says from the back seat of Callum’s
Mustang. “Have you even slept the past twenty-four hours?”
I climb out of the passenger side seat, and shoot her a look as Milo sits
next to her, hanging his arm around her.
I slept last night. Minus a couple hours to finish readying the float.
I close the door and lean on the convertible, meeting Callum’s blue eyes
in the driver’s seat. “Get her home safe?” I ask.
God knows, Milo’s too dumb to do it.
“Maybe,” he taunts.
“Then maybe I’ll think about letting you take me to the lighthouse party.”
I swing my bag over my shoulder and dig inside, pulling out a wipe to clean
the sparkly Greek letters off my cheeks.
He sits there, that confident gleam in his eyes like everyone wants to be
near him, and he’ll wait for me to realize that.
“Come here,” he says.
Slowly, I lean in, giving him ninety, so he only has to give me ten and
still look like the man. He kisses me, coming in again and again, his wet
tongue grazing my bottom lip before he pulls back.
Holding back, so I’ll beg for more.
“You were amazing tonight, babe,” Milo slurs, squeezing Krisjen. “You
both were.”
I hold Callum’s eyes as I stand upright again. “Thank you for coming.”