Misfits Like Us (Like Us #11)(96)

I don’t really have the heart to ask for a repeat.

Not tonight.

I just want to go.

The music changes to an old school Skrillex EDM beat. One of their favorites. I let them have their moment, and I leave the ballroom behind.

Teleportation would come in handy right about now. After going up the creaky old stairs, I’m lost on the second story. Why are there so many hallways?

I haven’t even run into half of my roommates yet. I could go snort a line of coke in the bathroom and no one would ever know. And I don’t know why I think of that.

I’m not the biggest drug user, but I’ve tried my fair share of stuff with Eliot and Tom.

Six short stairs lead to a door with a crystal knob. Okay, this has to be the attic. I swing open the door and step inside.

Not the attic. I’m in one of the dressed rooms for the party. A disco ball spins overhead, and the light refracts against silver-framed mirrors. Tons and tons of gorgeous mirrors, and as I spin to look around me, I imagine I’m on a starship.

Or I’m waiting to be beamed up.

I intake a big breath as my reflection stares back at me. In so many different directions.

Green hair, green-tinted lip gloss, and my shimmery dress—but it’s the sadness in my eyes that causes me to go still.

I’m so tired of floating.

So tired of being lost in space. I look up at the sparkling disco ball. Someone take me. I shut my eyes and lift my arms in the air. Picturing myself flying, truly flying, for the first time.

A knock sounds behind me.

I jump.

“Sorry,” Donnelly says gently. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

Still raising my arms, I twirl around quickly, and breath leaves me when I see him. Donnelly is in the doorway, his alien antennas bobbing and his outfit like the galaxy I imagined being inside.

The way he’s looking at me—it has no name that I can justly describe. But for you, unearthly reader, I’ll try. It is knotted heartstrings and centuries of longing. It is stars you wish upon and hopes yet to come undone.

It is the end and also just the beginning.

His blue eyes are reddened, restraining more emotion that I feel pumping between us, and I slowly lower my arms to my side.

“You didn’t scare me,” I whisper. “Strangely, I think I might’ve wished you here.”

“It’s not the strangest thing,” he breathes, his chest taut. His gaze dives deeper into my stratosphere, into the planet I like to pretend I live on, into everything I am, and very softly, Donnelly whispers, “Illy?”

My heart starts racing.

What did he say? My lips part but only breath escapes.

He takes a step forward, looking me over. “Illyana Dallas?”

What? I’m frozen in shock. Did someone tell him my username? No, that doesn’t seem right. Another reason starts clouding my head. He can’t be…this can’t be…?

“SB?” I breathe out.

Donnelly puts a hand over his chest. Over his heart. My eyes well with tears that reflect in his irises.

“It’s you?” I ask shakily, so much emotion pummeling me.

“It’s been me.”

All this time. I blink but tears drip down my cheeks, and I look around at the mirrors, seeing my overcome expression in every direction again. It was him. It was always him. I could ask a million different things. How is this possible? How did he figure it out? But there’s only one question that pushes all others behind. I can’t catch my breath, not even as I ask, “You’re in love with your friend?”

He takes the antennas off his head, thinking for a second. We’re only a foot apart, but I swear I can hear the pumping of our quickened hearts. Donnelly looks down at me. “I am in love with you, Luna, and I have been fucked up about it.” Carefully, he slips the headband onto my green hair. “I can’t say what you feel for me, though.”

“Donnelly,” I say strongly like it’s been so clear, and I’m gripping his shirt now. I’m scared he’ll turn around. I don’t want him to leave. I don’t want anyone to take him away. “You made an entire galaxy for me.” I’m crying. “How could I not love you?”

He glances down at my leg. The lines of an entire universe he drew are on my body, and his eyes flood. Quickly, he rubs the tears, then holds my face with two hands, and I’m still clutching his shirt. Our gazes diving deeper and deeper, and there are some signs in our universe that are just too unbelievable to ignore.

Like a comet crashing, Donnelly closes the final space between us, and his lips collide with mine. Every sensation explodes within me. I’m spinning like the disco ball above us. I feel as bright when his tongue melds against mine and the strength of his hand cocoons the softness of my cheek.

This isn’t a simple kiss. It’s a kiss of life.

One that breathes oxygen into my lungs as I drive forward, as he holds me closer. My hands slide down his chest, and his fingers curl around my neck. Our tongues tangle in more fervent kisses, lips swelling beneath uncorked yearnings, and I only open my eyes to see the glittering light.

The light and our kisses multiplied, surrounded by our own reflections.

It’s otherworldly.

Cosmic.

I’m flying. I’m in orbit with Donnelly, and I want to stay in his arms.

He kisses me deeper, his hands roaming underneath my dress while my fingers graze his nipple piercings.