The Triplets’ Bookworm

CH 20 - AMBER

AMBER POV

As soon as Aaron disappeared down the hall, his infuriating smirk still burned into my mind, I forced myself to move. My legs felt like jelly, and my hand trembled as I pushed off the wall. My pulse hammered in my ears as I darted back toward the gym, hoping to avoid anyone else on the way. The last thing I needed was another confrontation, especially with my cheeks still flaming and my lips still tingling from his stupid, arrogant kiss.

The music grew louder as I approached the double doors, *Uptown Funk* thumping through the air like a lifeline. I slipped inside, praying to disappear into the chaos. The gym was packed, the bass shaking the walls, the air thick with sweat and excitement. People moved in sync under the dim lights, some dancing, some chatting in clusters near the bleachers.

And then I saw my cousin. A fireball.

Victoria was a blur of wild curls and sparkling energy as she spun in the middle of the dance floor, completely unbothered by anyone or anything. She caught sight of me, her sharp hazel eyes lighting up instantly. Leaning over to whisper something into Malcolm's ear, she left him standing dumbstruck as she beelined toward me.

“Oh no,” I muttered under my breath, but there was no escaping her.

“Amber!” Vic's voice rang out over the music, and before I could so much as brace myself, her hand was in mine, dragging me toward the dance floor. “You’re dancing with me. No arguments.”

“Vic, I—”

“Nope!” she cut me off, grinning wickedly. “You need this, and I’m not taking no for an answer. Come on!”

Before I could protest, we were in the thick of it, surrounded by pulsing lights and thrumming energy. She twirled me dramatically, laughing as I stumbled to catch up. “Let loose, Amber! Stop overthinking and *move*!”

And for once, I listened. I let the music take over, focusing on the rhythm instead of the lingering heat on my lips. We spun, laughed, and sang along, my body moving on autopilot as I tried to shake the weight of Aaron’s kiss off me. The music pulsed through the air, the bass so loud it vibrated in my chest, drowning out every coherent thought. Victoria was a whirlwind of energy beside me, her curls bouncing wildly as she twirled and threw her hands in the air like she didn’t have a care in the world.

I wanted to feel that free. I wanted to lose myself in the rhythm and forget everything—Aaron’s infuriating smirk, the heat of his hand on my cheek, and the maddening ache in my chest that I couldn’t seem to name.

“Loosen up, Amber!” Vic yelled over the music, her voice bright and commanding. “You’re too stiff! Move those hips!”

She grabbed my hands, pulling me into a spin so fast I stumbled into her, laughing despite myself. “That’s it! There she is!” she cheered, clapping her hands in exaggerated encouragement.

It started slow at first—just swaying to the beat, letting the music seep into my skin. But then a switch flipped. Maybe it was the song, maybe it was the adrenaline, or maybe it was the sheer determination to prove to myself that Aaron wasn’t in my head as much as I feared. Whatever it was, I let go. Completely.

I danced like nobody was watching, my movements wild and unrestrained. My hair whipped around my face as I spun in circles, my hands lifted high above my head. Vic matched my energy, laughing so hard tears streamed down her cheeks.

Somewhere during the chaos, Rett and Robert joined us. My brothers were as ridiculous as ever, bowing theatrically and “formally” requesting a dance with their “most esteemed sister.”

“Oh, for crying out loud,” I muttered, but their exaggerated antics made it impossible not to laugh.

“Come on, sis,” Robert said, grabbing my hand. “Show us what you’ve got!”

As Katy Perry’s *Roar* came on, they pointed to me during the chorus, dramatically mouthing, *“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter!”*

Rett pointed dramatically at me. “Dancing through the fire!”

And Robert took my wirsts threwing our hands up at the same time, shouting in unison, “'Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!”

It was ridiculous, over the top, and entirely what I needed. Laughter bubbled out of me uncontrollably, my chest light for the first time in what felt like forever.

I laughed so hard I could barely keep up, spinning and jumping around with them like we were kids again.

The cheerleaders near the sidelines looked horrified, whispering behind their hands and sneering at me, but I didn’t care. Not about them, not about their opinions, not about anything except the sheer joy of the moment.

Even when I felt the weight of someone’s glare—no, three someones’ glares—I ignored it.

Screw them. Screw all of them. Tonight, I was going to dance and enjoy myself if it killed me.

When Victoria returned, shooing my brothers away with a flick of her manicured nails, I was breathless but grinning. “You’re welcome for the warm-up,” Rett called as he and Robert disappeared into the crowd.

“You ready for round two?” Vic asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Always.”

The next song was something with a hot beat and lyrics I didn’t recognize. It took me a second to place the genre—reggaeton. Victoria shot me a look, her signature *ride-or-die* expression that usually meant trouble.

“I know you know how to do it,” she said, leaning close so I could hear her over the music. “I’ve seen you in your room, Amber. Don’t play shy with me now.”

I hesitated for half a second, but something about the night—maybe the lingering frustration from Daisy’s words in the bathrooms or the high of dancing with my brothers—made me stop caring. About the crowd, about the stares, about everything.

So I did it.

I let the music take over, moving like it was just me and Vic in my bedroom, laughing and being stupid. My hips swayed, my body rolling to the beat as I let loose completely. Victoria matched me move for move, her grin wide and infectious.

When the whistles started, I barely noticed at first. But then I realized we’d drawn a little crowd. Guys surrounded us, their expressions ranging from amused to impressed to envious. Wyatt, standing near the edge of the circle, was watching me with a smile that could only be described as *kindly dangerous*.

The cheerleaders looked ready to combust, glaring at us with daggers in their eyes. Even Christian was looking us, much to his date’s dismay, if looks could kill i’d been six feet under…

But I didn’t care. Not one bit.

Not until a strong hand clamped around my waist, yanking me backward.

“What the—?” I started to yell, but before I could react, I was hoisted off the ground, a startled scream ripping from my throat as I was tossed unceremoniously over someone’s shoulder.