Chapter 40: Do You Like Me?

Ivy watched Kate lean in closer and closer, utterly unsure how to react. With all the cameras around, surely Kate wouldn't actually kiss her—was she teasing? Beneath her serious exterior, Kate sometimes harbored a mischievous heart, something Ivy had witnessed before.

In her mind, Ivy kept repeating, "I won't move, I won't move, I simply won't move!" She refused to back down.

But Kate was already crouching, continuing to approach. Ivy's cheeks burned; she didn't dare meet Kate's gaze. Finally, unable to hold out any longer, she surrendered: "I was wrong! I'll get up, alright?"

Kate halted, as if she had indeed been waiting for Ivy to concede, merely playing an ordinary game of daring between girls.

Ivy extended her hand. "Could you please help me up?"

Kate stood, grasped both of Ivy's hands, and pulled her to her feet.