Welcome to New Haven

by Dawn Doyle

  Dev went to sit on her bed and Holly followed, putting her arm around her shoulder.

  “He didn’t stop buying them for me, obviously, but he never stood close to me after that. Probably so I couldn’t ‘pounce’ again.” She said with her fingers up, emphasising the word. “Not until today.”

  “So he’s never hugged you…at all?” Holly asked. She remembered Ben putting his arm around her at the underwear store. Maybe because of the over friendly assistant, but he didn’t have to.

  “Not really. He’s rested his arm around my shoulder when Alex has been there, but that’s about it. We kind of started fighting after the kiss. I mean, sometimes we don’t. Like when Ryan asked Riss out, he asked for details and we talked.” Dev was upset as she finished talking.

  Holly’s heart was breaking for her. She knew she had to say something but not to tell her too much.

  Ben needed to step up and tell her.

  “I don’t think you should give up, Dev. You know my theory. Besides, you have a party tonight and a hot dress to wear. If that doesn’t get him to open his eyes…well…I’ll gladly bash him over the head for you.”

  Dev’s eyes widened, a smile tugging at her lips.

  Holly wagged her eyebrows and nodded.

  “Oh. He’s going to see what he’s missing.” Dev said mischievously.

  “Now there she is.” Said Holly as she pulled Dev in for a hug.

  “Let’s go Hols. We have a mission, but first…school.”

  They both giggled and went back downstairs where Alex pulled Holly in for a kiss.

  “Thank you for the lovely gift Ben. It was very thoughtful of you.” Dev smiled which left Ben looking confused. “We should go before we’re late.”

  “What happened?” Alex whispered in Holly’s ear, and she shivered as he grinned, seeing what an innocent whisper did to her.

  “Let’s just say she’s not done with him just yet.”

  “I got an iPad air, and some cash.” Alex said when Ben asked what they had gotten from their parents.

  “I got cash too and the designer shoes I wanted.” Dev said. “They’re gorgeous. They make my legs look like they go on for miles.”

  Dev was animated as she spoke and Holly had to bite her lip and hold in a laugh. She knew exactly what Dev was up to. Torturing Ben…phase one.

  “What do think Hol? Hot or not?” Dev asked as Holly was sat next to her in the back. Alex looked in the rear view mirror to Holly, with a smirk. He understood what was happening.

  “Definitely hot, Dev. Scorching.”

  Ben was quiet as his fist clenched on his thigh. The girls grinned at each other.

  “One nil to Dev” Holly mouthed and Dev put a hand over hers to stop herself giggling.

  They pulled into the parking lot and Riss, and Kayla ran over to Dev to double team her with a hug.

  “Happy birthday!” they squealed.

  “Happy birthday, Alex.” They said as they let go of Dev and quickly hugged him.

  Ryan and Kyle walked over, after being left standing by their girls, trying to ‘stay cool’.

  “Happy birthday twins.” They said, just as Ben had. It was something they said every year.

  “We have presents in our lockers. You can have them at lunch.” Said Riss.

  As they walked to their homerooms, hand-in-hand, all except Dev and Ben, they heard the birthday greetings along the way. Before Holly and Dev went into their class, Alex pulled Holly close.

  “I love you babe.” He said and kissed her softly.

  “Mmmm. I love you too.” She said, dreamily.

  “I’ll meet you at your locker before class.” And she nodded. Still too dazed to speak.

  As they sat down, Cerise approached them.

  “Um…Holly. I…uh…I’m sorry for what happened, you know, with Stacey. I didn’t think she would do that. I mean, yeah, she can be a bitch but that was totally too far.” She looked scared as she spoke.

  Obviously Cerise, nor anybody else, knew what Stacey had done the day after she trashed Holly’s car.

  “It’s ok, Cerise. Not your fault.” Said Holly.

  “Well…anyway, I just wanted to apologise.” She said and walked back to her table.

  Alone.

  After homeroom, Holly and Dev made their way to their lockers, when Dev was approached by three girls.

  “So, Dev. Happy birthday.” They said as if they were about to ask for something.

  “Uh…Are you having a party?”

  There it was. They were after an invite. No guesses why…

  “Yes we are.” Said Dev. “A private one though.”

  Dev was politely letting them know that 1, Yes Alex was going, and 2, No. They’re not invited.

  “Oh, ‘cos if you wanted us to, we could totally come.” Said one of them.

  Dev and Holly both looked at the girls in amazement.

  Hadn’t Dev just said it was a private party?

  “What? Why would I want that?” Dev asked, cocking her head to the side.

  “Oh…um…Just in case, you know, Alex wanted us to?”

  “What!” Holly almost screeched. “Am I not standing right here?” He asked incredulously. She couldn’t believe the girls had the audacity to say that, right in front of her face.

  “You do know they’re going out?” asked Dev.

  “Really?” the taller one asked. “We thought it was just a hook up.”

  Holly and Dev glared at the girls.

  “Hook up? Hook up?! Who the hell do you think you are?” Holly said, cold and she snarled.

  Her heart began to race, and her skin prickled.

  She knew that meant he was close.

  “Hey babe.” She heard from behind her.

  Holly turned round, and Alex walked closer still, backing her up into the lockers.

  He cupped her head, his fingers in her hair, bodies pressed together and he took her mouth with his.

  Her hands fisted in his T-shirt as he mingled their tongues together.

  He slowly pulled back, and Holly was stunned from his deep, passionate kiss.

  Right there in the hallway.

  “Mmmm.” He moaned. “Have I told you, today, that I love you?”

  The three girl’s mouths all popped open at his actions. Nobody had ever seen Alex with a girl…ever, let alone kissing and declaring his love.

  “Yes you have, but you can tell me again.” Holly beamed at him.

  “I love you.” He whispered, close to her lips.

  “I love you too.” She whispered back as the girls were still frozen in surprise.

  “I think that says it all, don’t you?” Dev said as she turned to walk away.

  Alex pulled Holly into his side and held hands as they walked.

  “What was going on there?” He asked.

  He’d seen Dev’s faces as the three girls were talking to her.

  “They were trying to get an invite to our party.” Said Dev. “They hoped you wanted them to go!”

  “What? They actually said that?” He asked in disbelief.

  “They said that they thought we were a ‘hook up’.” Holly fumed.

  Alex shook his head and took a deep breath in anger.

  “Well I guess they know otherwise, now.” He said as he smiled down at the love of his life.

  “So I’m thinking that little show wasn’t for their benefit?” asked Dev with a chuckle.

  “No. I didn’t even hear what you were talking about. Anyway, it for mine and Holly’s benefit.”

  Dev waved as she walked into her class.

  “It’s not even close to what I wanted to do either.” Alex said in a low, sexy voice that made Holly’s skin fire up.

  “What did you want to do?” she asked in a breathy tone, proving that he’d gotten under her skin already.

  “Something we’d get suspended for.” He said with a wink as he let go of her hand and took his seat.

  Holly stood still, shocked, for a couple of seconds and blu
shing red.

  Alex shot his toothy grin at her and gave her a slow wink. She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and swallowed.

  Alex loved it when she did that.

  All the times she’d been nervous around him, he’d thought that was why she did it.

  Now, he knew it because he’d affected her that way.

  His pants became too tight, and he shifted in his seat and leant forward to rest his elbows on his desk. Holly didn’t miss it at all and glanced towards his lower body. Letting him know that she knew.

  Now, it was his turn to blush.

  Holly had a free period after English and so walked with Alex and Dev to their Art class. There were whispers as they walked by. Obviously, the scene about the lockers had already travelled around school.

  “Is that four kids now, or five?” chuckled Dev.

  “I thought it was six!” Said Riss as she and Kayla joined them in the corridor.

  Alex looked at Holly with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  “What?” she asked, slightly worried about what he was thinking.

  He leant towards her ear and spoke low so only she could hear.

  “I’m not sure about six, but the practice getting there will be fun.”

  “Oh my God!” She squealed, and everyone turned to her as she blushed bright red.

  Alex threw his head back and laughed.

  “Not funny!” Holly said with wide eyes and an open mouth.

  “What did he say?” asked Kayla.

  “Nothing I was to repeat to anybody.” She said quietly.

  As they reached the art class. Alex held Holly around the waist.

  “I’m sorry babe; I couldn’t resist.” He said, still chuckling.

  “I will get you back for that.” She said, narrowing her eyes.

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes, and you know what I could do…”

  Alex suddenly stopped laughing and looked her in the eye. He licked his lips nervously.

  “You do remember the discussion in the car? Well take it a little further than that.” She whispered and then pulled his head to hers for a kiss. “Think about that, babe.“ She said and wiggled her fingers to say goodbye.

  It was his turn to stand frozen, as he watched her turn to leave with Riss and Kayla.

  “Come on, Alex.” Said Dev as she dragged him into class.

  “What was that about?” asked Riss as they walked down the hallway.

  “Oh, just Alex thinking he’s funny.” Holly replied.

  “Sexy funny?” asked Kayla, waggling her eyebrows, making Holly laugh.

  “Something like that.”

  Riss and Kayla walked into their class, leaving Holly to go to the library to ‘attempt’ to learn some more Spanish.

  It was only ten minutes later when Holly’s phone vibrated.

  D: What did you say to Alex? He won’t tell me, but he’s acting weird. :

  H: Weird? Like what? Is he ok?

  D: Yeah, I think so. But he’s fidgeting a lot, and he keeps rubbing his face with his hand.

  Holly silently giggled. She’d gotten him worked up by reminding him of last nights activities in the car.

  H: I didn’t say anything bad to him. :)

  D: Oh, I know that! He looks a little ‘frustrated’.

  H: Just like he did to me earlier. Shhh!

  D: Ha ha! XD

  Dev sure loved the gossip and wasn’t happy unless she knew exactly what was going on. Holly’s phone vibrated again.

  A: Hey babe. :x How are you getting on with your Spanish?

  H: Hi babe. :X Ok I guess. It would be better if you were here though. :(

  Holly couldn’t wait to see him afterwards. She wanted to get him back for the little ‘incident’ on the way to art class.

  A: Yes it would. :) This class is dragging.

  H: You know what? It’s good that you’re not here.

  ‘This is going to be good.’

  She chuckled to herself as she waited for his reply.

  A: Why? What’s up?

  H: Nothing. I’m learning body parts and if you were here, talking all sexy, I’d have you stripped naked on the table ‘teaching’ me the names. I’m pretty sure the librarian would have a coronary, seeing me with my hands all over you.

  Holly shook her head at herself. She couldn’t believe how Alex had gotten her that way. She didn’t think it was possible, ever, but there she was…almost sexting her boyfriend!

  A: Oh my God! That’s so fucking hot!

  H: Now you see. ;P Oh, and I even started yet, if you think this was payback.

  A: You are seriously killing me here babe. :

  H: Awww, I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. ;P

  A: You do realize this means war?

  H: Oh Alex, don’t fight something you can’t win.

  A: Maybe I just enjoy the fight. ;)

  H: It hurts you as much as it hurts me. :D

  A: 7 days! The teacher is glaring at me. :

  H: See you soon. Xx

  A: Not soon enough. Xx

  Holly was taking deep calming breaths to lower her heart rate. Her core was burning, and she ached all over.

  “Damn it.” She said quietly.

  She couldn’t concentrate.

  All she could think about was Alex’s sculpted muscles, his firm arse, his chewable lips, his chocolate brown eyes, and his black hair that fell perfectly with some strands falling to his eyes.

  “Miss are you ok?” asked a female voice from in front of her.

  “What? Um…huh?” Holly said, coming back to the room from her Alex fog.

  “Are you ok? You look a little flushed.”

  It was Mrs. Brown, the school librarian.

  Short, brown, curly hair, and big blue eyes with square glasses perched on the end of her nose.

  She looked about sixty years old and the epitome of a stereotypical librarian.

  “Oh, yes, thanks.” Said Holly, embarrassed. “Just a little warm, I guess.”

  Mrs. Brown looked at her with an odd expression. It wasn’t hot in the library, and the weather wasn’t particularly hot either.

  Well, not enough to be the colour Holly was.

  “I’m fine.” Holly said and got back to her work.

  Holly waited outside the art class before the lesson finished. The bell sounded, and Alex walked out, with Dev, and straight into Holly’s arms.

  As the hallway filled, Alex dropped a hand down to sneak a squeeze of Holly’s butt and she gasped. As she did, he took her mouth and let his tongue enter to taste hers.

  “You got me in a state in there” He whispered.

  “Good.” She replied, and they pulled apart so Alex could wrap his arm around her shoulder to walk to Calc class.

  “Mrs. Brown now thinks that I’m ill.” She smirked.

  “Why?”

  “Because I was thinking of you…” Holly looked him over to indicate what she was thinking “…and I must’ve flushed because she asked if I were ok.”

  Alex licked his lower lip as he listened to Holly telling him she had gotten hot thinking about him.

  That turned him on too. He rubbed his face with his free hand.

  They got to Calc class, and Alex backed Holly against the wall, like he had at the lockers.

  “You drive me fucking crazy.” He growled into her ear, as he gripped her waist.

  “You do that to me too.” She said quietly.

  Alex blew out a breath.

  “I’ll be back here for you after the gym. He said and sucked her bottom lip into his mouth.

  “Uh huh.” She managed to reply.

  When they pulled away, they saw they had an audience.

  Alex stroked her face and walked away.

  Holly attempted to walk into class, without falling down.

  Ben came in late and simply nodded a greeting to Holly.

  Alex met Holly, and Ben after class and they walked out to the lunch table, after getting theirs from the cafeteria. Ben
was still quiet, and after being late for class too, Holly was worried.

  “Are you ok Ben?” She asked and then glanced to Alex. She could tell by the look he gave her that it had something to do with Dev.

  “Uh, Yeah. Just got carried away in the gym.” He replied. His excuse for being late. They got to the table and met up with the others.

  “Where’s Dev?” Alex and Holly both asked at the same time.

  “Here I am!” an excited Dev squealed as she came up running behind them with her lunch. “Oh my God, Holly!” She said, bouncing, as she threw her arms around her.

  “The dress is amazing and it fits perfectly!” She gushed as she sat down.

  “Tell us.” Said Riss.

  Dev told the girls about how, when they’d seen the dress, Holly had secretly bought it for her and had it altered.

  As Dev was talking, Holly leant into Alex.

  He sat straddling the curved bench; his body fully turned to Holly. He wrapped an arm around her waist and as he did, Holly moved one of her legs over so she too was straddling the bench, her back to him.

  She slid backwards so that her back was flush with his front.

  He wrapped both arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder.

  Holly held his arms with one of hers whilst her other hand stroked his leg that was under the table.

  “I like this position.” He whispered into her ear, sending shockwaves of pleasure down her spine.

  Holly turned her head to the side to whisper into his ear.

  “I could turn around the other way, but then…” She didn’t finish her sentence. She let that sit with Alex and let him wonder what she was going to say.

  “But then…what?” He asked a few seconds later.

  “You’re an adult now, babe. I’m sure you can guess.” Alex swallowed hard, and Holly felt his ‘thoughts’ twitch bend her.