by Anna B. Doe
“E-eating sounds good,” she stutters before returning her eyes to the plate in front of her.
“Okay,” I agree, a smug grin forming on my lips.
For the rest of the lunch, we don’t say another word to each other. Somewhere in the middle of it all, I see her lower her hand under the table. I lift my hand off my knee and find hers. From the corner of my eye, I see her blush, but she doesn’t say anything. She simply continues her discussion with Brook as I link my fingers with hers.
I may be a douchebag sometimes, but this time I did something right. And it actually feels good.
Because she smiled.
Amelia Campbell smiled for me.
“So…” I glance at her stiff form on my passenger seat before returning my attention to the road. “Did something interesting happen while we were gone?”
I should probably pay more attention to what I’m doing or we are going to crash, but she is so pretty I can’t keep my eyes off her. More than pretty.
Beautiful.
Breathtaking.
When I saw her enter the living room back at her house all I could do was stare at her, my mouth hanging open. I wouldn’t be surprised if her Dad gave me a towel to wipe drool coming down my chin, that’s how stunned I was.
Her hair was down, but it wasn’t her usual sexy mess, no. Strawberry blond strands were curled and bouncing off her shoulders. Light, shimmery color is brushed on her eyelids, and those black lashes made her brown eyes warmer and bigger. Her pouty lips are shiny from the lip gloss, tempting me to come and kiss them.
To taste those full lips. To inhale her sweet scent.
I want to kiss her so badly and find out how she tastes. Strawberries or maybe cherries?
She wore a black, long sleeved dress filled with colorful flowers that reached a little bit above her knees and black ankle boots. In comparison with other girls, she was being modest, but looking at that pale skin made my mouth water and fingers itch to touch it and find out if they feel as soft as they look.
“Are you even listening to me?” Her exasperated tone brings me back to the car cabin.
“Sorry, I got lost for a bit,” I murmur, glancing at her again. “What were you saying?”
She sighs, nervously playing with her fingers that are in her lap. “How was the game?”
“It was good.” I shrug pulling in the parking lot in front of Charlie’s. “We won.”
“You say it like it was a sure thing.”
I grin and playfully wink at her, turning off the engine. “Those suckers from St. Johan have nothing on us, little one.”
Getting out of the car I hurry to the passenger side to open the door for Amelia and give her my hand to help her get out. She smiles at me, softly murmuring thank you. Once she’s out, she tries to let go of my hand, but I don’t let her.
With her small hand firmly in mine, I lead her into the pizza place.
“Hope this is okay.” I look down at her. I really have no idea where to take her. What does she like to eat? Is she allergic to something? At the moment, Charlie’s seemed like the safest option.
“I love pizza,” she assures me with a smile.
The place is filled with people, families with kids and groups of teenagers. I even see some guys from the team that probably came here for dinner before going to Andrew’s just like us. They see us, their eyes popping out of their heads when they see who I’m with, but I don’t stop to say hi, just wave at them in passing.
We manage to find one small table in the back. Amelia takes one side of the booth and I, using the excuse of noise, slide behind her.
Looking over the menu I whisper in her ear, “You know what you’re getting?”
Startled, she lifts her eyes and finds me so close to her, our noses are almost touching. I can smell her flowery perfume all around her. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in as much as I can, wondering if it would be too creepy if I buried my nose in the crook of her neck.
“Extra cheese and mushrooms.”
I frown at her.
“What?”
“I hate mushrooms almost as much as peas.” My body shakes slightly in disgust.
“You don’t like mushrooms?” She raises her brows at me.
“Don’t forget the peas,” I tease.
Just then the waiter comes and takes our order. We order our pizzas and soda, 7up for Amelia and coke for me, and I wait for the waiter to leave before I turn back to her.
Amelia is nervously biting her lower lip, and I can barely manage not to groan out loud. I lift my hand, take her chin between my fingers, and turn her to look at me.
“If you don’t stop doing that, you’ll make me kiss you in the middle of this place.”
Her eyes widen even more looking at me. Her small, pink tongue darts out to wet her lips. I press my thumb on her lip, shaking my head at her with a big grin on my face. The finger slowly slides over her soft flesh.
“If I didn’t know better,” I lean closer to whisper in her ear, “I would think you are doing this on purpose.”
“D-doing what?” Amelia swallows hard under my watchful eyes.
“Teasing me.” I side my finger back to the other side of her lip. I can feel her warm breath caressing my skin. “Do you want me to kiss you?”
Her surprised intake of breath makes me chuckle. I move away from her to be able to see her better. Brown eyes look at me like a deer caught in the highlights, her lips are parted, and her chest is moving up and down in frantic speed.
“N-no,” she stutters and blushes fifty different shades of red. “Are you trying to embarrass me?”
My smile widens even more. “I just like to tease you. No harm in that, Lia.”
Amelia huffs, which only makes me laugh more. I slide my hand around the back of her chair, my fingers playing with her locks. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.”
“Where you even a boy scout?”
“Not in this lifetime.” I grin widely.
“I didn’t think so.”
Amelia
I rub my hands thoroughly under hot running water and then dry them in a white fluffy towel. It makes me wonder who bought it. Everybody knows Andrew’s parents are divorced, so I guess they have a maid or housekeeper or something like that who takes care of the house and shopping. I can’t imagine Andrew or serious Mr. Hill going to the store and buying those fluffy, girly towels.
My eyes lift, and I see a reflection in the big mirror in front of me. Every time I caught a reflection of myself tonight, I was stunned by the girl looking back at me. She is stylish and girly and cute. Her eyes are big and she is glowing, which has little to do with shimmery makeup and is more about the way she feels.
It is hard to believe that I let Mom dress me up like this.
The dress she specifically went and bought for this date in one of those small boutiques where most of the girls from my school liked to buy clothes. At first, I was mad she did that; it made me feel awkward and self-conscious. I didn’t like to show my awfully pale, covered in freckles, legs. But after I tried it on I had to admit it looked nice on me. The dress made me feel pretty and girly, and by the look Derek gave me when he saw me, I guess he liked it too.
Opening the small clutch hanging from my shoulder I find the lip gloss that I stashed there before leaving with few other essentials. I put a small amount on my lips, still transfixed with my reflection.
My hair is messy from Derek’s hands. He has a thing for my hair, I swear.
While we were at Charlie’s, his hand was sitting at the back of the booth, his fingers playing with my hair, bouncing the curls or twisting it around his finger. He even brought one to his nose and inhaled deeply, saying he loved the smell of my shampoo.
After we finished with our dinner, we went to Andrew’s party.
At first, we were sitting on the couches with his friends. Derek got us sodas and we sat pressed closely together in the love seat. We were so close that I was practically sitting in his lap once an
other bulky guy from the team decided he wanted to sit next to us in the small space. Then, Derek really did pull me to sit in his lap.
His strong hands circled around my waist, and he pulled me to his chest. Derek’s chin was resting on my shoulder while he continued talking to guys about hockey and some video games like nothing unusual was happening.
His friends did the same, which was better than the surprised glances and deafening silence that followed us when we first came, but still.
Derek’s scent was surrounding me, and his body radiated so much heat that I felt like I was in a sauna.
My heart started beating hard against my chest, and every single thing I felt was magnified by the closeness of him.
They invited him to play the video game with them, but he refused saying he owes me a dance. I tried to reassure him that I was fine and he could play a game, but he laughed and waved his head before getting us both up and pushing me to the dance floor where we swayed.
His chest still pressed against my back, Derek moved my hair over one shoulder and his lips traced sensitive skin of my neck. First, he traced a path with the tip of his nose from my collarbone to the nape of my neck, inhaling deeply. Then, he returned the same way down, only this time leaving small kisses that made my skin shiver.
We were like that for a while—wrapped into each other—before I excused myself to go to the bathroom.
In the blink of an eye, I’m back in the small room.
My heart is beating strongly in my chest, and Goosebumps are all over my body from the memory of those small, innocent kisses. How I wanted him to stop teasing me and really kiss me.
Really touch me.
Sighing I turn around and unlock the door, but I don’t get far because there are hands that shove me back inside.
Hard.
“What do you think you are doing, Dotty the Dork?”
I press my hand and rub the spot where she pushed me, knocking the air out of my lungs.
“I was in the bathroom.” I lift my hands in the air. “Sorry if I stayed too long.”
Diamond laughs, but there is nothing funny about her tone or her narrowed, hard blue eyes. She flips the lock of her blond hair back, her red lips curving into a hard smile that is more like a grimace.
“Did you hear that, girls?” She looks over her shoulder, drawing my attention to two of her blond-haired friends standing behind her. I don’t know their names, but I know they always stick together. “She’s playing dumb.”
The two of them laugh at Diamond’s comment, but I can see how uncomfortable they are from the unsure look in their eyes and the way they can’t stay still.
Diamond turns her attention back to me, her eyes sending daggers my way. “I was talking about Derek, you idiot.”
I swallow hard but don’t avert my eyes from hers.
“What about Derek?” No matter how hard I try, my voice comes out a little shaky.
Diamond is the picture perfect of a mean girl. She is the queen of the school. The prettiest, most popular girl; being blond and having blue eyes are a lucky coincidence. She is pushy and mean, and she will do anything to get on top. I can easily imagine what a girl like her wanted with Derek.
Every queen needs her king.
She takes one step forward, shoving her thin, manicured finger in my chest. “Don’t play dumb with me,” she threatens in a low voice. “And stay away from Derek. He’s mine.”
A short, irritated laugh escapes me. “Maybe you should tell that to him.” I lift my chin slightly in the air. “He’s the one coming to me, after all.”
As soon as the words leave my lips I know I did the wrong thing.
Diamond’s eyes are so narrowed they’re like slits, and she’s pursing her lips tightly. Her hands are clenched in fists, knuckles ash white, and I’m only waiting for her to snap at me. But I can’t help myself. He is the one coming after me, not the other way around.
My heart is racing furiously, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the previous excitement of going back downstairs and finding Derek. I’m more concerned about her attacking me in her cold fury.
“Is something wrong here?”
We both turn around and look at the person leaning against the doorframe, casually looking at her nails.
Jeanette.
That empty, even, low voice can’t belong to anyone else.
She has her hands crossed over her chest and looks at us.
It’s strange how she always manages to be around when I need her, but she likes to claim she doesn’t need friends or want the company of others. Even after our girl’s night.
Diamond takes her in from head to toe: her straight, black shoulder-length hair, her poker face, her tight, low-cut lacy top, and black skinny jeans all the way down to her high heel boots.
“Everything’s peachy,” Diamond mutters through clenched teeth.
Jeanette’s stone cold grey eyes don’t move from Diamond’s angry face for a few more seconds, then she looks over her shoulder, her gaze meeting mine. “Let’s go then.”
I slip around Diamond, but not before she elbows me in the gut on the way. I’m so going to have bruises from her.
Jeanette waits for me in front of the door, Diamond’s followers standing by the wall with their heads hung low.
“How did you know I was there?” I ask Jeanette on our way to the stairs.
She shrugs and keeps walking. “Just a hunch.”
“Isn’t that a bit…” I don’t get to finish my question, because I almost crash into Derek on the stairs.
“Hey.” He looks me straight in the eyes. He is standing a few steps lower than me which puts us on the same height. “Where were you?”
“There was a line to the bathroom,” I lie. I really don’t want to mention Diamond and her stupid requests.
Jeanette huffs next to me, and I can imagine her rolling her eyes at me, but she doesn’t say anything to contradict me.
“Even upstairs?” A frown caresses his forehead. “Andrew usually doesn’t like people going upstairs.”
“Yeah, well.” I shrug, taking one step down.
He keeps looking up and over my head. I see how his eyes harden, changing from light blue to the color of the storm, but I don’t look over my shoulder. I already know I’ll find Diamond and her friends behind us.
But the look is soon gone, and he smiles at me, taking my hand. “Let’s go down. I promised you another dance.”
Amelia
Derek: We still on for 2night? I’ll be back late afternoon, so just drop whenever.
I look at my phone, probably for the thousandth time today, frowning at the screen, or better yet, at the person hiding behind the screen.
This isn’t the first message of this kind that he sent me this past week. Derek found a reason to stop by most days now. He would send me a text or sometimes just show up unannounced. More often than not, he blamed it on the project, but we never discussed it after the first ten minutes of his stay. Oh, we worked on our project, it’s nearly finished after all, but not as much as we liked other people to believe we did. Or, maybe, we were lying to ourselves. Another reason was that Ace and Lola were playmates, so we shouldn’t keep them away.
Apart from that, Derek and his friends kept joining us for lunch most days and he was always around, waiting at the parking lot or close to my locker, dragging me to the library far away from people studying and behind bookshelves nobody ever uses if it can be concluded by the amount of dust there, to sneak a few kisses between classes.
It confused me a lot.
He.
Stares from people. Especially the girls.
Our … relationship. Whatever kind of relationship we do or don’t have.
There is a lot of time when I’m stuck like this. Rethinking everything Derek or I do or say, or going over every touch, every kiss, every word, and every smile.
Derek is far from the boy he once was.
And I’m not the girl I used to be.
Maybe that’s good. Maybe it’s time to start over. Maybe it’s time to stop thinking and just enjoy being together.
I look at my screen.
7:48 PM.
I get off the window seat where I’ve been sitting and look down at my clothes. Another pair of leggings and hoodie. Sighing, I open my wardrobe door and grab a pair of ripped jeans and a light peach sweatshirt.
We are in the middle of October and it’s getting colder and colder by the second.
Letting my hair down from the bun, I brush it and then braid it in one loose fishtail braid. Some strands don’t like to be tamed so they run wild around my makeup-free face. I take in my reflection, debating if I should put on some makeup. Derek saw me without any and didn’t say a thing, so I simply put on a bit of pink lip gloss.
I grab some stuff on the way and pat Lola on the head before leaving my room, the door slightly open so that Lola can come out if she needs to.
“Lia? Where are you going?” Mom yells from the living room when she hears me come down the stairs and put on my shoes.
“Derek’s.”
My cheeks turning bright red.
This is the first time I’ve ever gone to his house. We are always usually hanging around my place and I don’t know what to expect from my parents. It’s not only that I’ve never been to Derek’s house, but I’ve also never been to a boy’s house.
“Isn’t he coming here?” From the deep frown caressing her forehead, I can see she’s not too happy about it.
“No. He was gone a few days because of hockey, so he asked me to come to his place instead.”
I look at her expectedly, just waiting for her to ask about his parents or tell me I can’t go to a boy’s house, but let’s face it; we are talking about my Mom here.
“Okay.” She returns her attention to the television. “Just don’t be too late.”
Breathing sigh of relief, or maybe it’s frustration, I put on my jacket and throw my messenger bag over my shoulder before saying bye and going out.
I start my car and Emeli Sandé’s Hurts comes through speakers. It’s a powerful and soulful song.
