Time slows until I swear it stops as my wide unblinking gaze collides with his in the dark. I can just make out the glittering orbs, shining back at me like tiny, little diamonds.

My mouth fumbles to say something. Anything—

He sucks in a sharp breath that pierces the air. “I—”

And then he’s gone.

I rock back on my heels as he shoulder-checks me to get past. I stare silently at the dark space he just occupied as the door to the classroom suddenly bursts open, letting in a streak of light. I cringe at the intrusion, whipping around to catch Waylon just as he disappears through the door.

Someone calls out, “Hey!”

Shit. Crap. Fudge.

Shaking myself out of my stupor, I run. Out of the classroom, out of the school, I run. Someone calls out to me—a teacher, I think. And I think I yell something back—something along the lines of “I’m sorry” and “I forgot something inside”—but I can’t be sure.

I’m now outside and the sun is glaring down on my face. I’m panting, eyes darting around wildly as I try to catch sight of where Waylon might have ran off to.

Something tells me it’s crucial I find him before it’s too late. Before he can take it back.

I can’t let him take it back. I can’t.

Where is he, where is he, where is he—

There.

I spot him just as he ducks around the corner of the school.

“Way!” I shout, running after him.

His shoulders bunch up toward his ears and his steps pick up, so I know he heard me.

“Hey! Stop!”

Chest squeezing for air, I’m finally, finally able to close the distance. I grab him by the upper arm, halting him mid-step. He stumbles back and I steady him, not letting go as I put myself in front of him.

His hazel eyes are wide and unseeing as he stares down at our shoes. His neck strains as he tries to catch his breath.

“You kissed me,” I say breathlessly.

His face tightens. Like he might cry. “No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did.” A smile starts to lift my mouth, slow and shaky. Not that he sees it. “You kissed—”

He yanks his arm away and tries to make another run for it.

“Hey!” Scowling, I grab him by the shoulders and guide him back till I have him pressed up against the school. He might be taller than me, but I’ve never felt bigger as I pin him to the brick siding. My hand fisted in his shirt. “Stop.”

His eyes redden and his jaw quivers.

My shoulders start to sink and I loosen some of my grip. His name punches out of me. “Way.”

I watch with my heart somewhere in the bottom of my stomach as his terrified green-gold eyes drop down to my mouth.