Finding Laila: Some Changes are Necessary by T.K. Rapp Page B

at all. Those butterflies everyone
talks about when they kiss, the shivers I’ve read about in books, the hot
flashes—yeah, I have every single one of those things happening to me at
one time.
    We’ve
officially taken the leap that could spell disaster for our group of friends
and our friendship. Yet the fact we are both willing to take it makes me feel
like maybe it will work out.
    “Thank
you.” I lean up to kiss his cheek but he turns his head and my lips are on his
again.
    “Gross,”
Luka calls out, interrupting the moment.
    “Yeah,
Haden. Gross,” I mimic her tone and slide into my seat, but not before mouthing
to him, ‘Later.’
    He
shuts the driver side door, fires up the car, and I turn to see Luka covering
her ears because the radio is too loud. Haden turns the volume down and looks
through the rearview mirror.
    “You
okay, Lukadoll?”
    She
shakes her head and I turn to look at her, too.
    “What’s
wrong?”
    “Nothing.”
She looks down at her lap and I see her little lip stick out again.
    “Luka?
Do you not want to go?”
    She
shakes her head no, but refuses to look up at either of us.
    “Haden,
can you give us a second?” I ask and he nods his head before stepping out of
the car. I wait until he’s away before turning back to her.
    “Why
did you take him away?” Her voice cracks like it does when she’s about to cry.
    I
never feel guilty for the things I say or do to Luka, but this—her little
heart breaking—is too much for me.
    “I
didn’t mean to. I know you love Haden, but he’s been my friend for a really
long time. I know it’s hard to understand, but I we’ve always loved each other.
I guess it’s just a little different now.”
    “What
about me?”
    “Haden
loves you, you know that.” I reach back and rub her knee until she finally
looks at me.
    “Do
you?”
    I am the worst person in
the world.
    I
know I’m a jerk to her and she’s done nothing to deserve it, other than being
born.
    “Of
course I do,” I finally say and actually mean it. “Will you still love me if I’m
Haden’s girlfriend?”
    She
nods and gives me a small smile but I know her heart is still hurt.
    “What
if I make you a deal?”
    “What?”
She widens her eyes and waits for my offer.
    “As
soon as you’re old enough, you can have Haden. I’ll just be his girlfriend
until you’re older. Okay?”
    “Really?”
    “Really.”
I smile. It’s a simple solution to an unrealistic crush and she seems to accept
it.
    “Thanks,
LaLa,” she smiles.
    I
look over at Haden’s who’s been watching the entire time, and since the window
is down, I’m pretty sure he’s heard the entire exchange.
    He
walks back to the car and sticks his head in. “Can I come back?”
    Luka
nods her head. “LaLa is going to be your girlfriend until I’m older, and then I
get you back.”
    Haden
looks at me like he’s trying not to laugh, but I widen my eyes and shake my
head, silently pleading for him to get in the car and drive us to Cole’s house.
    He
seems to understand my cues and does exactly that. They only live a block away,
so he leaves the windows down and plays Luka’s favorite song as we go. I’m
caught off guard when he reaches out and takes my hand in his.
    We’ve
been friends for so long and we’ve held hands.
    We’ve
hugged.
    I’ve
kissed his cheek.
    This
is not any of those; this is new and different, but I’m excited to see where it
takes us. I thread my fingers through his and catch him glancing down at our
hands, but my bliss is interrupted all too soon when we pull into the Camerons ’ driveway half a mile down the road. Luka
unbuckles her seat belt and hugs the headrest of Haden’s seat.
    “Can
we go in now?” She rocks back and forth until Haden lets go of my hand and
turns the car off.
    “Yep,
let’s go.” I clap my hands and open the door before leaning the seat up so she
can get out.
    I
step aside so she can get to Haden, but she surprises me when she stays by my
side and