Autumn Winters is going to ruin me.
I knew it the moment she kissed me in my car last night.
Most girls at school either flirt with me because of my reputation or avoid me because of it.
Autumn does neither.
She just… exists.
And somehow that makes her more dangerous than anyone else.
She's walking beside me now toward the back stairwell, arms folded loosely across her chest.
Trying to look calm.
Trying not to react to the fact that we're alone.
I push open the stairwell door.
The hallway noise disappears instantly.
Now it's just us.
She leans against the wall.
"You're skipping class."
"So are you."
"I'm a good influence," I say.
She laughs softly.
God.
That laugh.
It's the kind that sneaks up on you.
Quiet.
Real.
"You kissed me," I say.
Her eyebrows shoot up.
"That's your opening statement?"
"It's an important detail."
Color rises to her cheeks.
"You kissed me first."
"True."
I step closer.
Close enough to notice the way her breathing changes slightly.
"Why'd you do it?" I ask.
"Do what?"
"Kiss me."
She hesitates.
For a moment I think she might dodge the question.
Instead she shrugs.
"You looked like you wanted me to."
My mouth twitches.
"And you always give people what they want?"
"Only when I'm curious."
"And you're curious about me?"
She tilts her head slightly.
"Very."