Claire tried to regulate her breathing. His hand was warm and dry and for a moment, she allowed herself to continue her real-date fantasy. But then on screen, as Daniel prepared for his final fight as the Karate Kid, she knew she only had minutes left to kiss him.

She couldn’t do it.

She had to do it.

But she couldn’t.

But then what about the Queen Bees? School would be a nightmare if she didn’t do it. Just yesterday, Anne had told what happened to Mandy when she’d failed her challenge of opening the glass cage of tarantulas at the zoo and putting her hand inside to get one out – they’d called her a scaredy-cat for weeks and then every time she opened her bag or her locker, there was a plastic spider in there. Then one time, they’d put a real spider in her locker and Mandy had screamed and cried hysterically until one of the teachers had come to see what all the commotion was about. Of course, Mandy wasn’t daft enough to tell tales, but it certainly explained why Charlotte and the rest of the Queen Bees had ostracised Mandy and she was always the last one to be picked for teams and partner work.

Claire closed her eyes.

She had to do it.

It was five seconds of her life.

She would lean over, put her lips on his and count to five.

Now.

Do it now!

Her thoughts were racing, and she could feel the sweat down her back. Her right hand, held by Paul, was also starting to get clammy again. Gently she removed her hand from his, and the movement made Paul turn to face her.

Do it!

She leant in, her face tilting to the right. His face was so close to hers she could see the confusion in his eyes. But then he seemed to understand and their lips met in the darkness. She counted to five but she didn’t pull away and after that, her mind stilled, and as the lights came up, she barely heard the hoots and cheers from the back row.

*

‘Oh my God, that was like something out of Dirty Dancing!’

She’d not even been home ten minutes before Anne was on the phone.

‘What. A. Kiss! And way longer than five seconds! I can’t believe it! Charlotte didn’t say very much but I could tell she was impressed,’ said Anne. ‘Oh my God! You’re so in! I’m so happy!’

Claire held the phone away from her ear slightly, but she couldn’t help grinning. Anne was right. She was in! On Monday, they would induct her or whatever it was they called it in the secret ceremony and finally, she would get her bracelet.

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