Studying Boys by Stephie Davis Page B

who weren't actually making out, the girls all had their faces sort of mashed into the guy's chest. Why not? Theo had a chest too, didn't he? Might as well use it.
    So, I moved a tiny bit closer and turned my face to the side and rested my cheek against his T-shirt. I could feel his heart beating, and I was quite aware that he tightened his grip on my waist and pulled me a little nearer.
    And you know what? I didn't mind. It felt pretty amazing, to be honest.
    I burrowed my face deeper against him and realized that being in a guy's arms was pretty sweet. Or maybe it was because it was Theo. Or not. Preferably not.
    Then I felt him kiss the top of my head, and I went rigid.
    Holy cow. I wasn't going to have to stomp on his foot and poke his eyes out, was I?
    He kissed my head again, and then I felt his lips on my neck, sort of sliding along and nibbling. My stomach immediately started getting all jittery and my heart was racing. Theo was totally trying to get it on with me!
    For an instant, I was totally tempted. Why not? What did I have to lose?
    The Homework Club. My future.
    And any chance of ever having Theo's interest. When had he started to help me? When I yelled at him. When I told him I didn't need him for anything.
    If I started making out with him, he'd have what he wanted and walk away.
    Well, forget it.
    He caught my earlobe between his teeth, and I almost changed my mind when my knees almost melted right out from under me. No wonder Allie kissed a lot of boys. It felt incredible. I wanted him to really kiss me, on the lips, and—
    No. I had plans. Get it together, Frances.
    I pulled back from him, and Theo caught my face in his hands.
    He was going to kiss me. Really kiss me. I could see it in his eyes and his mouth and the way he'd gone all soft in his face. Almost tender. Theo, tender? I never would have thought it. Resist, Frances. "Don't."
    He paused, his mouth only an inch from mine. "What?"
    I put my hands on his wrists. "Don't."
    "Don't kiss you?" He sounded confused.
    "Exactly." I tightened my grip on his and tugged. He let me take his hands off my face, and more than a small surge of regret whooshed through me. "I'm not here to become one of your conquests."
    "My conquests?"
    "Would you stop repeating everything I say?" The music ended and switched to a faster song. "Let's just dance."
    "You aren't a conquest."
    I rolled my eyes and danced away from him. Funny how a few weeks ago, an almost-kiss from Theo would probably have caused me to pass out. Nothing like having him take away my future for the crush to fade.
    And it wasn't just that.
    I wasn't a fool. I knew the only reason he was interested was because he couldn't have me. And once he had me, I'd be history, like all the other girls. I'd known Theo since I was three. I knew him. I'd never bothered to really assess him until now, but I definitely knew him.
    I had too much pride to be kissed and thrown away, even if it was Theo. Who needed boys anyway?
    Well, I did, but only as study partners.
    Theo caught up to me, and grabbed my wrist. I spun toward him, wiggling my hips like Allie had taught us. I put my arms over my head, aware that my sweater was probably creeping up. Showing a little skin, maybe? I might be wearing sneakers, jeans and no makeup, but I was still a girl. Might as well let Theo know what he wasn't going to get.
    He grabbed me and pulled me up against him, moving in time to the quicker beat. "You're impossible."
    I lifted my brows and set my hands on his chest, ready to block him even as we danced. "What does that mean?"
    "I can't figure you out."
    Ah. A woman of mystery. I loved it. "You've known me your whole life. What's there to figure out?"
    "Have I?" He trailed one finger over my collarbone and sort of down toward my breast.
    I grabbed his hand and diverted it. "Of course you know me."
    "I think maybe I don't. I thought I did, but..."
    I broke his grasp and spun away from him. This was way more fun than dancing with my friends