The Boy Who Broke Her Heart

Chapter 1 - The Good Girl Graduate

"You know there's no way that's going to dry before you have to put your shoes on."

"It will," Addison asserted as she blew her strawberry blonde bangs out of her face. "I used fast drying nail polish and if I put my toes in this ice bath, they won't smudge. Trust me. I know all the tricks."

Faith smiled at her best friend's determined expression. That blue nail polish was going on regardless of their time constraints. Faith turned her attention back to her own reflection in Addison's full-length mirror. The white graduation gown wasn't the most flattering thing she'd ever worn, but it wasn't the worst either.

She pulled another bobby pin from the jar on Addison's desk and used it to keep her cap on her head. She would have to be careful not to rip out any hair when she pulled it off and tossed it in the air at the end of the ceremony. Graduation was finally here. Where had the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday she and Addison were standing in front of this very mirror, trying to figure out what the wear on the first day of high school.

Somewhere, the picture of the two of them in practically matching outfits hung on Addison's bedroom wall along with the hundred other photos that documented Addison's first eighteen years. Four by six photographs of every important event in Addison's life decorated the walls like wallpaper. Faith was in most of them thanks to the fact they had been best friends their entire lives.

There was a knock on the door before it was pushed open. Addison's older brother popped his head in. "Mom says we're leaving in ten minutes."

"Ten minutes!" Addison screeched. "We don't need to be there until eleven. Why would we leave in ten minutes?"

Dean Presley was twenty-one and gorgeous. He stepped into the room and Faith's knees grew weak. She'd had a crush on him for as long as she could remember. It was stupid, but there was no way to squash it. There was also no way she could ever speak of it. Not only would Addison think it was gross, but Dean would probably laugh so hard it would break her heart.

His gaze landed on Faith. "Why does it matter? Your better half looks ready to go." Those bright green eyes moved up and down, taking her all in. She could feel her cheeks heat up and it sure sounded like her heart was beating loud enough for everyone within a mile to hear it.

Addison plunged her foot into its ice bath. "I need more than ten minutes. Go tell Mom to chill out."

Dean sat on the bed next to his sister and mussed up her hair. "She wants a good seat to see her little baby girl get her diploma."

Faith bit down on her lip. That was how he would always see the two of them -- as little babies. It wouldn't matter how old Faith got, Dean wouldn't see her as an equal, as worthy of his affection. Not that he didn't care about her. He loved her like she was his other annoying kid sister. But he'd never be in love with her.

Addison shoved her brother away and threatened to paint stripes on his face with her nail polish if he didn't get out of her room immediately. Dean got up and grabbed Faith around the waist, pulling her against him.

"What if I don't want to leave? Are you willing to get that stuff all over your friend's white graduation gown?"

Faith's breathing hitched. With her back pressed against his front and his arm tight around her waist, she could feel how strong he was and it sent a shiver down her spine. She'd surely combust if he were to ever touch her like this for other reasons. The scent of his cologne made her want to turn around and bury her face in the crook of his neck. She loved the way he smelled. She'd stolen more than one shirt of his just so she could smell him while he was away at college.