Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas

We sit there, quiet, and observing the view, but I notice my
head ache and start to rub at my hair.
“It hurts,” I say out loud, shifting my bun. “My scalp…”
It always happens when my hair is in a tight style all day.
It feels so good to let it out.
I pull out a barrette—the only other one in my hair that I
didn’t leave in the fountain—and start pulling out the pins in
my bun.
“Can you help me?” I ask. “Make sure they’re all out?”
He reaches behind and feels my hair, pulling out a few
more pins, and then he helps me unwrap the twist, my hair
coming down. I slide my hands underneath it, rubbing my
scalp and sighing, because it feels so good.
I look over at him, and he’s just looking at me, his eyes
moving over my face.
My skin under my costume starts to get too warm.
He turns away and lets out a breath as he stares ahead. “I
might kiss you again when we’re older,” he says. “Just so you
know.”
My mouth falls open a little, and I want to make some
sound in disgust, just in case he’s kidding or teasing me, but…
Is he telling the truth?
I fold my lips between my teeth to keep from smiling. I
don’t know why I want to smile, but I can’t help it.
He puts his hand down next to mine on the floor of the
treehouse, and my heart beats so loud.
Is he gonna hold it?
“Winter!”
A shout pierces the air, and I jump.
Searching the ground, I see my father and mother storm up
toward the treehouse, their gazes fixed on us.
“Why would you run off without telling your mom where
you were going?” he barks.