Caught in Us (Lost 3)

"I don't know," I admit. "Does it hurt talking about her?"

"Not with you. I liked taking care of her. It was such an integral part of my life. And now that she's gone, I feel lost."

Many people feel lost at our age, but for very different reasons. He was forced to mature earlier, to take care of someone else, and now that she's gone, he doesn't know how to fight the loneliness. I wish I could show him he's not alone, but what can someone who only knows loneliness teach him about driving his away? He looks so desperately lonely that it hurts me. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see his lips curl upward in a smug smile. Before I can read too much into his smile, though, another thought takes hold of me: those are some beautiful lips.

"You're not all that bad for a rich girl," he says.

This snaps me out of my daydreaming. Or, well, lip-dreaming. "You say it like I should take it as a compliment."

"It is a compliment. You're a breath of fresh air." He shifts on his side, facing me.

"So are you. You're different from everyone I know."

"Is it because I'm devastatingly good-looking?" he says mischievously.

I roll my eyes at him. "It's because you are extremely modest. We should go back. You know, hanging around with me is going to ruin your reputation."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You didn’t notice the way people looked at us last Friday? Or today in the cafeteria?"

"So what?" His eyes widen, and he grins. "You're ashamed people might see you with me?"

I gasp slightly. "That's not true."

"You're afraid they'll think we were secretly making out," he teases.

"They will not think that." Heat surges in my cheeks.

"Hazel seems to think exactly that."

I can't be blushing. I can't be blushing. Damon eyes one of my cheeks and then the other. His grin widens. Of course, I'm blushing.

"You'd like to make out with me? You just have to say it. I assure you I'm a perfectly good kisser." He leans into me, his eyes scanning me playfully. Does he know what he's doing to me with his dark green eyes and his annoyingly beautiful lips? He, who must have touched tens of other lips with his, and toyed with as many hearts? My heart beats so fast I legitimately fear I might faint. He's just joking, Dani.

"Not every female around wants to kiss you." How I muster the wits to say the next words, I'll never know. "You're not as good-looking as you think."

"But you admit I'm good-looking?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't deny it," he says.

"Please, go work your charm on someone else who is more experienced with these games. I'm not."

He pulls back. "What do you mean?"

"We have to go." I take my plate and jump to my feet. He catches up with me on the stairs, grabbing my arm.

"You've never been kissed?" he asks.

I debate lying for a second, but I've never been any good at it. "No, I haven't. Go ahead. Laugh."

He's not laughing. "Why?" he seems genuinely confused, and I almost laugh. He reminds me so much of James right now, who is always completely bewildered by the fact that no guy is into me.

"I don't think I'm anyone's type here at school," I explain.

"Figures. I knew most here are idiots; I didn't realize just how much."