by Raathi Chota
“PDA,” Carter coughed, and I instantly stood up. I looked at Carter, and my eyes widened. His beautiful face was jacked up. He had a swollen eye, a bruise on his cheek, and a cut on his jaw.
“What the hell happened to you?” I demanded.
“By that tone, shows how much you care,” he said sarcastically. “Turns out Brooke had a few friends, and guess what their names were?”
“What?”
“Leslie and Perry.”
“Let me guess, you’ve slept with a Leslie and Perry and they were both girls?”
“Yeah, and they weren’t too happy when I told them that.”
“Dude, your fucking name is even unisex,” Blake chimed in as I threw my hands up in exasperation.
“Thank you!” I said as Blake raised a brow.
“Wait…how do you know who Brooke is?” he asked. Before I answered, we heard loud footsteps approach us. I spun around and saw Aidan. I squinted my eyes as I took in his badminton outfit.
“Bro, what are you wearing?” Carter asked as he skipped to us. Aidan wore the school polo shirt, yet he borrowed a pair of shorts that were apparently too short for him along with blue runners and knee socks. I watched as he posed in front of us and stretched.
“I love badminton!” He smiled, then made lunges.
“Oh my god, those shorts are too short for you!” I shrieked and turned away since his crotch moved.
“I can’t believe I’m related to you,” Blake muttered as Aidan straightened. He looked at me, and I tried so hard not to look down. The worst part was that the shorts were white.
“Eyes up here, sweet cheeks.” Aidan whistled as I rolled my eyes. He took the shuttlecock and racket with a grin. He threw the shuttlecock up then walloped it. I watched as it flew across the gym and hit the wall. My brows raised in amazement as I turned to him. I watched as Aidan held the racket back as he aimed for Carter. He let go with the other hand, and it smacked against Carter’s butt.
“Fuck, that hurt, you ass wipe!” Carter yelled as he ran after Aidan. I let out a chuckle as the two ran around the gym and decided to sit down next to Blake, since I didn’t have a racket. The last encounter I had with Blake was when he told me everything would get better. Before that was the kiss we almost shared. It was weird. I couldn’t figure him out. He acted as if nothing happened, like always.
“Yo, guys, watch out!” someone yelled as we looked up. It was too late as the shuttlecock came and landed on my thigh. Blake gave me a concerned look as I awkwardly rubbed my thigh. “Sorry, Lana.” The guy shrugged as he took the shuttlecock from Blake.
“Don’t be sorry, be careful,” Blake hissed as the guy raised his arms and walked off. “You okay?”
“Yeah, it still hurts, but I’ll be all right.”
“Anything exciting happen in the last twenty-four hours?”
“Err…not really.”
“Your dad back yet?”
“Yeah, he arrived yesterday morning.” I frowned at the thought of my mother freaking out when Dad got shot.
“You don’t seem happy.”
“I’m barely happy anymore.”
“Why is that?”
“Dad got shot, but thankfully he was wearing a bulletproof vest,” I mumbled as I turned to Blake. His jaw tightened as he looked at the ground. I then remembered that his dad died and cursed under my breath.
“Is he okay?”
“Still overprotective, but he’s good.”
“He might be the overprotective dad but,” Blake said as he stared me dead in the eye, “he’s the only guy that’s ever going to be there for you.”
“Tell me about your dad,” I blurted out as he raised a brow. “T-that’s if y-you want to.”
“Okay. He was the best dad in the world,” Blake began as I crossed my legs and got comfortable. Somehow, I liked when Blake spoke about personal things. He talked with such need and emotion that it felt like someone else spoke. “I bonded with him more than Axel did. He owned a motor shop in Minnesota, and I hung around there a lot. Axel bonded with my uncle more, who was an alcoholic.” Blake let out a laugh. “We used to do everything together and talked about anything and everything. He even helped me get my first girlfriend.
“All the guys wanted her because she was so beautiful. Loads of guys asked her to prom, I asked my dad for advice, and in the end, she chose me. I was surprised because I looked like shit back then.
“We dated for a couple of months, and in that time my dad became distant. I didn’t know if it was because of my girlfriend or his work, but we rarely talked. I always asked him what was wrong, and he replied with, ‘I’m okay, just living in the moment.’ I took it as nothing, but Axel didn’t.
“There were constant fights between my dad and Axel, so he left to go and live with my uncle in another city. The house became quiet, and Mom told me that’s it’s nothing, yet I knew she was lying. That’s when I started smoking; I couldn’t handle all the stress and the quiet, so I found a pack in Axel’s old room.
“Before summer break, there was a huge fight between my mom and dad. I overheard them, and that’s how I found out that my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years before.” He did that thing again where he laughed. “Turns out that’s how my great-grandfather and all his siblings died. Runs in the family, I guess,” Blake muttered with a depressed look. “It was too late, though; he had a month. One fucking month, yet he didn’t tell me.
“I went over to my girlfriend and told her, and instead of comforting me, she told me to man up. She didn’t like that I smoked or that I owned a motorcycle…like I can’t fucking help it if my dad owned a motor shop.
“The bitch told me to call her when I decided to ‘man up.’ Summer came along, and we all flew down here to visit Aidan. That’s how I got this tattoo because I lost some bet.” He pointed to the feather. “We flew back, and after all the tests and chemotherapy, Dad was put into the hospital. I couldn’t take it anymore, so the cigarettes increased, I got mood swings, tattoos, and went to juvie. I even had a special cop who always knew me,” he said, then laughed bitterly. “One day I visited my dad and told him that she broke up with me, and all he said was that she was never the one.” Blake shook his head. “I was fucking pissed because he never even met her, so I left. Little did I know that was the last time I’d hear my dad’s voice.”
Silence surrounded us as I took in Blake’s words. Prostate cancer was common, and I had a family member who died of breast cancer. I didn’t know what to say. Yet Blake sucked in a deep breath and continued.
“Axel came back for the funeral, along with our uncle. He didn’t even cry, but I did because through everything, Dad tried to be strong for me. Someone had to be the strong one in the family, and it was always him.
“Our uncle wanted the motor shop even though I wanted it because I basically knew everything. He wanted to take my mom to court, but she wasn’t up for that, so he got it. We were left with his will, but the money was gone soon after. No doubt Axel took it.” He reached into his pocket for a cigarette. He gave it to me, and I held it as he took out his matches. I held it up to my lips as he lit a match and flicked it over the cigarette. Tobacco filled our noses as I inhaled then gave it to him. “So I took the bitch’s advice and decided to man up. I touched up my motorcycle, wore my dad’s jackets, smoked, slept around, and most of all didn’t give a flying fuck what people thought about me.
“Because through everything, nobody helped me to cope. Axel was gone, and Mom worked her ass off so I basically could do anything I want. Then Aidan’s mom said we should move here to get away from everything, so we did.”
I figured he was done as silence took over us. I didn’t know what to say because that was a lot to go through on your own. I didn’t want to apologize because I knew he’d scowl.
“Wow, so that’s how Blake Gunner became a bad boy,” I said after a while. I watched as he blew out the smoke and sent me a grin. We sat in silence as we stared at each other. Sadness mix
ed with secrecy filled his brown eyes, and that somehow made me captivated.
“Hey, you two!” a familiar voice boomed as I tore my gaze away from Blake and saw Coach Harris. My eyes widened as I stood up. “Gunner, you might look cool, but you’re not. No smoking on school grounds!” he shouted, then turned to me. “And you, Willson? I thought better of you than hanging out with a delinquent like him,” he said, then handed me a racket. “Then again, you were in detention for slapping West’s daughter.” He shoved a racket in Blake’s chest.
“That was a good slap,” Blake commented as he dropped the cigarette on the ground.
“No one asked for your input, Gunner. You both get detention for tomorrow afternoon,” Coach said as my jaw dropped. “One for not participating, and two for smoking! Now get your butts on the court before I report you two!”
“Thanks a lot,” I mumbled as we walked toward Carter and Miranda.
“You’re welcome.” Blake smiled as he twirled the racket in his hand.
“We’ll be doing short games now!” Coach yelled.
“Can he get any louder?” Kelly asked.
“Imagine him in bed,” Carter said, which resulted in everyone throwing profanities at him.
***
I didn’t think Coach was serious when he said that Blake and I had detention tomorrow. I sighed at the card that I had to get signed. Dad was going to kill me. I groaned as I dumped the card in my backpack and walked out of the school building. Everyone lingered downstairs as I approached them.
“Please, dude, I don’t want to ride with them. They’re like those clingy couples, and it’s so awkward,” Aidan nagged Benny.
“Hey!” Nick said as he put an arm around Melissa’s shoulder.
“I’m already taking La—”
“Hey, Aidan, look—it’s your friend.” Carter laughed as he pointed across the street. We whipped our heads to see Levi parking his car on the curb. My eyes widened as Miranda stared at me.
“Shit’s about to get real,” she whispered as I sent her a glare.
“I think I’ll walk. Yeah, that’s a good idea. See you guys tomorrow!” I rushed out then ran toward Levi. Being the prick that Levi was, he got out of the car and leaned against it. Once he noticed me, he opened his arms. I ignored him as I went around his vehicle to the passenger seat.
“Aww, sad she doesn’t wanna get in your car?” Levi cooed as I glanced up. It turned out they followed me. They looked at Levi and me. As I dumped my bag in Levi’s car, I noticed Blake squinted his eyes.
“Dude, what you did last night was not cool,” Aidan said.
“Yeah, sorry about that, Aidan,” Levi said.
“How do you know my na—”
“It’s Levi, you idiot!” Miranda cut off Aidan, and his eyes widened.
“I don’t think we’ve officially met. Heard a shitload about you. My name is Blake.” Blake stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“Levi. Cool tattoos,” Levi said as he looked at Blake’s arms.
“Nice bird,” Blake said as he looked at the tattoo on Levi’s neck.
“Okay, if we’re done with the introductions, what are you doing here?” Miranda asked as she stared at Levi.
“Just here to get my princess,” Levi said as he sent me a wink.
“Well, no need since I do that already,” Benny muttered. I glanced at Blake, who seemed interested at the looks Levi and Benny gave each other.
“Well, too bad. I’m here now, and I don’t think she wants to drive with a psycho,” Levi stated.
“Levi, give it a fucking rest. We all made mistakes, right?” I glared at him. I didn’t know why, but whenever he was here, I cussed a lot. He knew precisely when and where to push my buttons.
“At least mine were forgivable,” he sang as his eyes flicked toward Benny.
“What’d you do?” Blake snorted as he took a drag from his cigarette.
“Fucked her then I left her,” Levi responded as I scoffed. Blake’s amused expression changed as his jaw tightened.
“Fuck you.” I rolled my eyes at Levi, who laughed.
“Okay,” Melissa said as she entwined her hands with Nick’s. “See you.” She pulled him toward his car. She turned back and gave me the thumbs up. I sighed.
“Look, can’t we all be friends?” Liam asked as he looked at Levi and Benny. Benny glared at Levi, who took a cigarette from Blake. I knitted my brows as I watched them; they’d only met and already acted like friends.
“Nope,” Levi responded.
“Never,” Benny muttered. Liam groaned as he backed away. I watched as the school grounds got emptier, and silence overtook us. Levi leaned against his car as he turned to Aidan with a grin.
“How’s your shit-ass car doing?” he asked.
“Sorry, I didn’t get that. I don’t speak bullshit,” Aidan stated in a frustrated tone.
“Would you all just stop?” Miranda demanded. “Can’t you see he’s doing this to piss you off, to get under your skin and then use you?” She let out an annoyed scream and marched toward her car, Marcus following close behind.
“Thanks a lot, jackass,” I said as we watched Miranda viciously get in her car and drive off.
“I knew she liked me,” Levi stated. The guys laughed except Benny and Ethan. I noticed Liam checked out Levi’s car and raised a brow.
“Dude, what’s the horsepower on this thing?” Liam asked.
“Three-thirty-five to three-sixty, I guess.” Levi shrugged.
“To be honest, this thing was a beauty last night,” Blake commented as he leaned against it.
“Uh huh, and when I win again, we’re all going out and celebrating,” Levi said as he sent me a wink.
“How do you know that you’ll win?” Benny asked. Levi leaned off his car as he let out a chuckle. He stood right in front of Benny and held a poker face.
“Because I always win.”
***
I gave Levi the silent treatment as we drove back home. I was beyond pissed that he’d treat Benny like that when he was just as guilty! Then when he dropped me off, he drove on and said he wouldn’t be back for dinner. Good, because he didn’t deserve my mother’s freaking delicious food!
It was already after ten, and I was busy with homework. I’d done four pages of work already when a knock on my door disturbed me.
“Lana, you still busy?” Richard asked as he tiptoed into the room.
“Yeah, I’m almost done though,” I said.
“I heard you want to go to Yale,” he said as he took a seat on my bed.
“Yeah, but I’m looking at other universities too.”
“Well, hopefully everything goes well and you get into there. Over the years I’ve known you, Lana, you’ve built yourself up well,” he said as I bit the inside of my cheek. “We’ve all made mistakes and you either accept it or learn from it.”
“Yep,” I said as I avoided eye contact. “Where’s Levi?”
“He’s downstairs, came back a few minutes ago. I think he was out with Keene,” Richard said as he stood up.
“Okay, well, goodnight,” I said as I stood up from my desk chair.
“Goodnight.” He walked out of the room. I went to the bathroom and decided to put on my pajamas. I put my hair up into a bun then walked out of the toilet. I took my glasses off and set them on my bedside table and looked at my phone. Miranda hadn’t messaged me yet; Melissa said she needed to cool off.
“I’m sorry,” a familiar voice said as I spun around. Levi leaned against my doorframe in his sweatpants and shirt. I crossed my arms over my chest as I looked down. He let out a frustrated sigh as I heard him come into the room and lock the door.
“You can’t expect me to forgive you just like that if you’re just gonna treat Benny like shit the whole time.” I raised my voice. He put his index finger to his lips and took his other hand to point to next door to where his parents were.
“He deserves it for doing that stuff to you,” he said and stepped closer.
/> “Can’t you just move on?” I yelled in a whisper. “You’re in the wrong too for acting like a dick last year, so don’t just think you’re off the hook because Benny is my friend now.”
“At least I didn’t hurt you!”
“You have some nerve to say that! I mean, Aidan didn’t do anything wrong, yet you act like a douche toward him!”
“We’re just fucking around. I went over to Blake’s house, and they were all there, so we caught up.”
“Then why do you have to act like such a dick the whole fucking time? It’s like you’re waiting for me to yell at you, asshole!”
“Fine. I’ll try to be nicer from now on, but you gained a clever mouth over the past year.”
“Wonder where I got it from?”
“Sssh, you better keep that mouth of yours shut,” he yelled in a whisper.
“Or what?” I asked as he inched closer. I backed away, but my legs hit the edge of the bed.
“Or I’ll shut it for you, my princess.” He smirked as he pressed himself up against me.
“I’d like to see you try.”
It’s like he waited for me to say something like that because as soon as I said it, he wrapped one arm around me. He put it the other hand on my cheek and smashed his lips against mine. The kiss was forced yet filled with need as he groaned. I lost my balance as I tried to pull away from him, so we fell on the bed. Our lips were still attached as he hovered over me. I used my fists to hit his chest. He grabbed my wrists and pinned them on either side of my face as he pulled away. Our breaths filled the room as he pressed his forehead against mine. His grip tightened on my wrists as he bit my bottom lip then kissed me again.
“Levi, what are yo—”
“Please, just one last time before I lose you,” he breathed out as I looked into his wild blue eyes. Somehow, I felt weak under him as I slowly closed my eyes. I parted my lips as I felt his brush against mine.
