Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

So I would appreciate it if you wouldn't call me that." She pushed away from the wall and headed around the

side of the chapel toward the academic buildings. "Like you don't love the idea of me having a special name

for you," Thomas said, following after her. Ariana whirled on him. "I don't. Just leave me alone," she

snapped. Thomas held up his hands for a brief moment, but then fell into step with her, a maddening grin

spreading over his face. "I don't think you were drunk. And I don't think it was a mistake." Against the

backdrop of the heavy gray skies, his blue eyes seemed to glow. He pushed back the long bangs that spilled

over his forehead. Ariana looked away, fixing her gaze straight ahead. "It doesn't matter what you think," she

said in what she hoped was a light tone.

"What ever you have to tell yourself." Thomas laughed.

Ariana shook her head, as if she could erase the memory of what she'd done on Saturday night like an Etch A

Sketch. Her mom's fragile voice echoed in her mind, her excitement about Daniel. About the Ryans. All

Ariana wanted was to forget about Saturday evening. Forget about Daniel's stupid drunkenness. Forget the

way Thomas had made her feel free. Forget the way Thomas had looked at her, like he knew what she was

thinking. He didn't. No one did. Not Daniel. Not even Noelle. And definitely not Thomas.

She paused in the center of the quad and turned to Thomas, leveling him with the most serious glare she could

muster. "Let me say it again. Slowly so that you can understand through the haze of whatever drugs you're

currently road-testing. Leave. Me. Alone." Thomas's face fell. For a split second he actually looked hurt. But

then, just as quickly, he regained his cocky composure. "Fine. I'll leave you alone. For now." He glanced left,

smiled, then looked back at her. "Later, naughty girl." As soon as he was gone, Ariana glanced over to see

what had made him smile and her stomach clenched. She found herself face-to-face with Daniel and Paige.

Ariana's fingers shook and she gripped her left forearm with her right hand, practically cutting off her own

circulation even through her heavy coat. Had they been behind her the whole time? Had they heard her

conversation with Thomas? She forced a smile, leaning in to give Daniel a peck on the cheek.

"I didn't know you guys were there."

Had they heard him call her naughty girl? If so, her life as she knew it was over.

"Obviously." Paige's smile was frozen on her face, her eyes cold. "Ready for class?" Ariana nodded, afraid to

speak. "Good." Paige stepped between Daniel and Ariana. "Then let's go." "See you later," Daniel said. His

expression was confused, but not hurt. Not angry. Ariana had no idea what to think. "Yeah. Later." Ariana

and Paige started across the quad and Ariana's every step was shaky, tentative, as she waited for Paige's

attack-but it never came. Not in words, anyway. But every once in a while Ariana could almost feel Paige's