The Songs in Our Hearts: A Young Adult Romance(53)

“Don’t quit your day job,” Micah advised me. I stuck my tongue out playfully.





“We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off”

Ella Eyre





“SO, THIS IS HOW IT’S going to play out,” Paul began. He stood in front of the small raft he had built out of tree limbs and rope. “There are a few bags here, full of leaves. I arranged them to resemble a body, and nailed them down to the branches, so they don’t fall off when we send the raft out onto the lake.”

Marshall and Paul had created the perfect papier-maché head, making it look more like the CPR dummy we’d used in health class.

“After Marshall jumps onto the raft and says his lines, I’m going to push it into the water. I have a rope tied to a corner so we can pull the raft back in later. Marshall, you’ll have to be ready, in case something happens. It’s cold in there, so if you end up having to leap in, be quick. The only part I want you to light on fire are the bags.” Paul tossed Marshall his lighter.

“Is this going to be dangerous?” I asked, hesitant. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“I can handle it.” Marshall slid the Frankenstein mask over his head. Paul handed Micah the camera and started to push the raft into the shallow part of the lake.

“What if we get caught?” I asked, glancing from Paul to Micah. Everyone would see something burning on the lake. It was visible to the entire town.

“We’ll be quick,” Micah reassured me as he turned the camera on.

“But everyone is going to see the fire. What if the police come?”

“Don’t worry so much, C.”

I sighed.

“Ready?” Paul called to Micah and Marshall. Marshall took a step into the lake with a huge gasp.

“Holy shit! This lake is fucking cold. Oh, my God, my balls are gonna freeze off.” Marshall jumped back, shaking his head. “Do not send the raft out far, man. There is no way I’d survive a swim back.”

“I’d say he’s ready.” Micah smirked, lifting the camera up to his eye. Marshall, as the monster, climbed onto the raft, grunting and groaning, seeming to mourn the loss of the pretend Victor. With the wave of Micah’s hand, Paul began to let the raft drift onto the lake, just a few feet out. I stood on my tiptoes to peer at the camera screen over Micah’s shoulder. It looked pretty good, so far.

Then came the flames. Marshall lit the bags of leaves and threw up his hands, as though he were shouting to the sky. He was really getting into his character. If this wasn’t dedication to a project, I didn’t know what was. The leaves burned slowly, and began smoking around Marshall, giving off a foggy effect. I could see the satisfaction on Micah’s face.

“Cut!” Micah said. Paul started to pull the raft back to shore as Marshall pushed the smoking, flaming bags of leaves into the lake.

“That was epic!” Micah continued with a chuckle. After Marshall jumped off the raft, the two high-fived each other.

Micah turned and pulled me into a hug. I could feel my entire face turn warm. As I returned his embrace, I could smell his cologne on his shoulder and felt a hint of sweat on his back the moment my hands grazed over his shirt. I didn’t want to let go. He felt too good against me.

“We’re totally going to get an A on this.” Micah left me feeling a little dazed as he pivoted to Paul, releasing me almost immediately. “We just have to film the last scene Monday, and it’s a wrap.”

Marshall lifted his mask up from his face, exposing a grin.

“Let’s go celebrate with that movie marathon, Charlie,” Micah said to me. “We totally deserve it.”

“We’ve got this.” Paul gestured to the raft. With muscled arms, he lifted it and tugged it back to his truck. “We’ll see you guys Monday.”

Marshall followed him with the lighter fluid and extra trash bags.

Micah waved to them. “See you tomorrow at the barn. Thanks, guys.

“I want to stop by my place really quick and grab something before we go to your house,” Micah said as we climbed into his car.

“That’s fine,” I said, gathering my hair into a low-hanging ponytail.

When Micah pulled up to the small white trailer with the red roof, he winked at me as he patted my knee with his hand.

“Be right back.”

I nodded, not sure what to say. I watched him dart out of the car and into his home. When he returned, I was relieved to see a smile on his lips. His eyes were bright with excitement as he climbed back into the car.

“I’m ready for this!” he said, revving the engine to life again.

“What did you get?”

“If I tell you, it’ll ruin the surprise,” he said as he backed the car out of the gravel driveway and turned down the dirt road.

“What’s the surprise?”

“Hold your horses. You’ll see when we get to your house.” He grinned. “Some things are worth waiting for.” He leaned forward and turned the music on, allowing “It’s Now or Never” by Elvis to flow from the speakers.





MY PARENTS AND JOSH STILL weren’t home when we got back to my house. They were all out pretty late for a Saturday night. But it did make it easier for Micah and me to pick some movies out from Josh’s room.