As my eyes scrolled over the invitation, I rolled my eyes, then groaned.

Ian, beside me, looked over my shoulder. “What?”

Ian was the stable hand on my family’s horse farm. He’d been working here for around a year, and this invitation was extended to him.

I handed him the invitation. His gray eyes quickly flicked over it, then he too groaned. “Sounds like fun,” he muttered sarcastically, without my mom hearing. I raised a hand and quickly turned my laugh into a cough.

My mom looked towards both of us. Ian was three years older than me: he was eighteen and I was fifteen, and the top of my head only came a little past his shoulder. His gray eyes and my green ones were sparkling with mischief. Mom put her hands on her hips. “Come on now you two, it can’t be that bad,” she said sternly.

The invitation was to a Christmas party at Melanie Ashton’s house. The problem was that Melanie Ashton was the worst snob ever to walk the surface of the Earth: this Ian and I agreed on.

Ian nudged me, grinning. “Yeah, Hailee, it won’t be that bad,” he teased with a wink.

Naturally, Mom decided we were going anyways. She tried to make me feel better by saying that we would buy me a new dress for the occasion. That would be okay, I supposed. I could stand clothes shopping, as long as it wasn’t on a regular basis; I preferred tack shops to malls any day.

I just hoped Melanie Ashton would keep her hands off Ian. It was no secret she’d set her sights on him. Melanie was a complete snob, unworthy of a boyfriend, as I’ve already mentioned.

The next day, Mom took me shopping for a new dress. It didn’t take me long to find a long green dress with a low back. I tried it on and stepped out of the changing room to cheers from Mom. “Wow, Hailee, that looks great on you! It really brings out your dark hair and your green eyes.”

I smiled and agreed. We bought the dress.

Over the next few days, I caught myself glancing at Ian, wondering what he would think of the dress. Several times, I had to shake myself out of it. What was wrong with me?

Finally, on the night of the party, we all — we being me, Mom and Ian — met up at our house before leaving. I nervously brushed out my long dark hair one last time then headed downstairs. As I slowly came down the stairs, Ian’s gray eyes widened. “Wow. Hailee....” he murmured. “You look great.” I smiled. “What, don’t I usually?” I teased with an eyebrow raised. Ian grinned at me. “Of course you do: it’s just that this is a nice change from all the jeans and T-shirts.” I grinned at him as we headed out the door.

Once there, Ian grinned at me, his gray eyes dancing. “So, Hailee, do you wanna dance?” My eyes widened and I stepped back a little. “No way,” I said determinedly. “I don’t dance.” Ian’s grin grew wider. “You do now!” And before I could protest, he dragged me out to the dance floor. I could see Melanie Ashton looking like she’d been slapped, and I grinned.

When a slow song started, Ian bent his head to my ear and whispered, “You wanna stop dancing?” Feeling Ian’s head brush against mine, I shivered. Then, amazed at how bold I was getting, I let my head rest against him. “I don’t mind,” I whispered. Ian straightened and I felt, rather than saw, him smile. “OK,” he said gently. And then we just stayed out there for every single dance. I asked him if he was sure there was no one else he’d rather dance with, and the answer I got was definitely not. I smiled almost to myself. Eat your heart out, Melanie Ashton!

But as the night wore on, I forgot about Melanie and just enjoyed myself: I enjoyed the dancing, and laughing and talking with Ian, and I even — or especially — liked the slow songs... more than I would care to admit to myself. Finally, though, both Ian and I were panting. “I need air!” I gasped. Ian nodded in agreement. “I know what you mean!”

We went outside, where there was a little porch with no one else on it. Everyone else was inside: dancing, eating, and drinking, the main highlights of the night. Ian and I stood quietly, catching our breath. I was starting to get a little sleepy, and I yawned and let my head drop onto Ian’s shoulder. He smiled down at me. “Tired?” he asked softly. I grinned at him and said teasingly, “No, you’re just boring me.” He smiled, knowing it was a joke. “Sorry.” I grinned again, even if he couldn’t see me in the dim light. “I’m kidding. You’re not boring me.” He smiled. “Thought so. You know, Hailee, I meant to tell you that you really do look great tonight. I wanted to tell you that I had a lot of fun dancing with you before.” I blushed, feeling happy and amazed, because Ian’s words reflected exactly what I was thinking. But before I could say anything, Ian bent his head, and our lips met. I pulled in a quick, excited breath, and I could feel Ian’s hands resting lightly on my sides, their warmth calming me. Slowly, I let my tense muscles relax, and I closed my eyes, letting out a long breath. Sensing that I was calming, Ian pulled me just a little closer. I gradually slid my arms up and around Ian’s neck and let them lightly rest there.

Suddenly, a huge wave of confusion swept over me. What was I doing? This was Ian! We’d grown up together! But, for some reason in the back of my mind, I didn’t break the embrace.

But then I heard Mom yelling. “Ian! Hailee! If you guys want a ride home, you’d better get out here now!” We quickly broke apart as Mom walked onto the porch. Her eyes flitted between me and Ian, but she didn’t say anything. We left.

And I spent one heck of a sleepless night.

The next day, I woke up early, wanting to get my chores done before Ian showed up. No such luck. Ian turned up at his usual time, whistling and acting normally. He paused as he passed the stall I was mucking out. “Hey, Hailee,” he said softly, so no one else could hear. “I’m not mad or anything, OK? But we’ll talk later, or you’ll be late for school.” I nodded, but I was personally thinking that I was still way too confused to talk about it at all anytime soon.

On the bus, a battle was raging inside my head, one voice against the other:

You did not like that kiss.

Yes I did.

But it’s Ian!

So? I know him well.

It’s Ian! You grew up together! You’re not allowed to like each other!

I didn’t kiss him, he kissed me!

Yeah, but you kissed him back.

When I finally got to school, I definitely qualified as a wreck. It was the last day of holidays, so we weren’t doing much anyways, but I just couldn’t concentrate. No matter how hard I tried to pay attention to Mr Wright’s lecture on the subatomic particles, or tried to understand Mrs McNalty’s idea of a perfect essay, my mind just kept drifting back to Ian’s kiss. At lunch, my best friend, Jess, looked me over, then said, “Well, someone didn’t sleep last night. What happened to you?”

I shook my head. “I don’t wanna talk about it,” I mumbled.

“OK,” said Jess easily. “So how was the Ashtons’ Christmas party?” I blushed beet red as I remembered everything: how close Ian and I had been as we danced, how he’d kissed me...

Jess saw the blush. “OK, Hailee, tell me everything.” I looked up desperately. “Promise you won’t tell anyone,” I begged. She nodded impatiently. “I promise. Now tell!”

“Well, at the party, Ian and I sort of danced the whole time. Together.”

Jess’s jaw literally dropped. “The rumours are true then!” she exclaimed.

I cut her off. “That’s not all.” If I was going to do this, then I was going to tell Jess everything. “And, near the end of the party..... Ian kissed me.” Jess stared for a moment, then squealed, “Oh my God! So Ian kissed you?” I nodded miserably. “That’s what I’m telling you!” I moaned. Jess grinned, oblivious to how confused I was. “So, did you like it?” she demanded. I stared at her in shock. “Jess!” She looked back at me innocently. “What? Did you like it or not?” I bit my lip. “Actually, yes. I did like it, Jess. A lot. But I don’t know how to tell him that! Oh, I’m so confused!”

Jess took me by the shoulders, forcing me to look her in the eye. “Hailee, listen to me. You’ll have to be brave. If you ask me, it looks like Ian really likes you. Why? I don’t know. But you’re realizing you like him too. So tell him that.”

I bit my lip but didn’t say anything. She was right.

END OF CHAPTER 1

Author’s note: This is a slightly revised version of the chapter after I sort of screwed up and accidentally replaced Chapter 1 with Chapter 2. Oops! I’ll try to avoid that, but I’m still new... give me some time.

Thank you to all who read and reviewed. Shall I name you? Ah, why not!

LulaR, femaleodd, Drops of Jewpiter, Draia-Rodahi, Vira Fern, Matrona sylvarum, SolisLuna..... You know who you are. If I forgot you, don’t hesitate! Email me and give me a mouthful!

— Lack of Luck