Teen Crush

fundraiser as his way to stay close to Lily, then Lucas needed to get involved too. He didn't have to be a rugby star o

-

rs during recess, a half-eaten meat pie in his hand. Nate's

nd casual. "Do you know anything about

shut up about? Yeah, it's for the library renovation. They're doing a

replied, attempting nonchalance. His pu

ut a laugh. "Helping out? Mate, since whe

's a good way to me

r, it's a good way to spen

e back. "All right, Romeo, I'll get you in. Ethan's looking for vo

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corations and man a game booth at the fundraiser.

the school grounds. By mid-morning, the place was bustling with activity. Parents and students

ers. He scanned the crowd and spotted Lily near the main entrance, tying a clust

hen she saw him. "Lucas!

, trying to sound casual despite

efinitely use more hands. Ethan's over there with the decora

who was standing near the stage, clipboard i

he spotted Lucas. "Didn't peg

rin. "Thought I'

e on banner duty. We need it hung across the stage. M

more teasing, Ethan turned out to be surprisingly fair and focused. Despite his co

-

e section buzzed with excitement as kids darted around with their prizes and parents che

blended into the background when Lily a

e asked, setting the tray

eplied, grateful for t

se strand of hair from her face. "I'm impr

p his tone casual. "Figured it

iving him a warm smile. "The event

pond, Ethan appeared, clipboard still in hand. His normally

e table," Ethan said, scanning the crow

turned back to Lucas, her smile so

nge pang in his chest returned, a mix of frustration and longi

-

ooth, he found his eyes drifting toward the raffle table every so often. Lily stood out

ours, Lucas took a moment to step back and look around. For the first t

soda in one hand. "You're

n't half-ass a mas

seems to be working. Lily's been smiling at you

eyebrow. "Ethan?

s still smug. But you're holdi

dence settling over him. For once, he d

-

ucas spotted Lily carrying a box of leftover baked goods. H

iling up at him. "You'

ll the glory," Lucas said,

e," Lily said, reaching into the box and hand

warmth of her words more th

unds now quieter in the fading light, Lucas felt something shift

was starting to stand