Chapter 10
They are
losed eyes, processing the sensation of lips against my own
upchappeid. He doesn’t open them, pressing our moutha together like puzzle pirers.
a minute to pralize what we’re doing. Even after I realize it, Fin frozen in place, my thonglits running willly. A single thought sparks,
I don’t feel the
When Alex backs away, luas lashes rise in reveal warm brown eyes. The golden flecks astound me with their vibrance, my slightly He gives me a smile and a
my mouth dropping open just
My face immediately beats like a furnace. Then I remember that we’re a
we’re not alour and hide my mouth bebind clammy fingers,
Danielle seems to be taming an interestingly pale slute as Oliver’s expression darkens ominously.
Alex meet their dissatisfaction unoothly.
“To you think this is a deal? What would even make you two lovelangs thi
They suddenly remember that they’re supposed to be dating, their expressions crumpling in embarrassment.
“I thought you guys would be supportive, but instead you’re harassing my girlfriend. Ital. Let’s get the pizza to go, bale”
Chur of his teammnutes try to reason with him, but he slides out of the booth, forring Danielle to hack up. The stink eye he gives her. Is he actually
anery right now!
I quietly take his offered land and scooth my way out as well. Wirlson another wood to the others, we go to the counter to get our incoming pizza put in a box. Then, we leave Morry’s hand in hand.
A part of me wants to ask him what that was about. Suddenly kissing me was that to make us more realistict I mean, PDA definitely could do that.
Soll, it feels like he got legitimately angry at them. I look up at him, ready to ask about it.
But I pause, Boding the tips of his cars tinted sliglely red.
It’s cold out. Maybe they just got too cold. But he could also be embarrassed?
Surely not, though. I’ll just keep my question to myself this time.
Though I work as a shadow in the drama club, I’m doing my best to become a gust of wind
Ever since our more recent show, fewer club members want to talk to me. After all, the bullies are targeting me, not the group. If I just left, it’d make it easier on everyone else
But I don’t want to quit. I can at least make things less uncomfortable. So, I try to be as invisibile as possible.
I still make posters, help fox props, fill water bottles. But talking to others or speaking up about anything is a no–go.
It’s alright. I don’t mind working in silence. If I know what I’m supposed toodo, there’s no reason for anyone to remember that I exist.
Moreover, after the kissing incident, the bullies have been appearing less frespuently and viciously. Danielle hasn’t come back at all.
Since I’m technically the problem.. Well, I should take care of the problem I’m causing,
You’re disrupting practice. Please leave,” I say, looking at the three girls who came this time.
They’re quick to stand up and start to lower over me, ready to really lig in.
“Ugh, who is this ugly hatch talking to!”
“You’re a gremlin. Or maybe just a slut.
You stutter so much. Maybe your mouth’s only good for sucking dick.”
217 PM c
Chapter 10
I’m not so thick–skinned that their insults don’t hurt. They’ve been getting rather creative, and the fact they circle around me, corner me, always makes my back itch.
But I’m still motivated. I won’t let them ruin my paradise, especially not for anyone else.
“If you continue. Uhm Huff, Breathe. “If you continuet–this, we will have to call someone to remove you”
I look up at them, hoping my message gets across. And it seems like it does, their faces twisting in anger.
-Did you
u just fucking threaten me!!”
The middle girl rears her hand back. With the other two so close to me, I can’t back away like I want to.
This position triggers uncomfortable memories quite harshly, to the point I just close my eyes on reflex.
But the slap never comes.
Instead, the girl yells, only to choke her own voice off. I feel an oppressive energy suddenly weighing me down like a command.
Uneasily, I peek my eye open.. Then both shoot wide.
“Having a problem here, ladies”
Alex holds the girl’s wrist with a single hand. But there’s no warmth in his gaze, making the golden flecks in his irises look brighter,
His usual, jovial demeanor is absent, no smile on his face.
The girls freeze u
- up. Only then does he let go of the girl’s wrist, which she pulls close to her own chest.
“If there’s a problem, well… I’m sure we can talk about it. Right?”
When he smiles, it‘
es, it’s very unkind. It doesn’t reach his eyes at all
“No. Nothing,” one of the girls manage. She grabs the girl who almost slapped me and starts pulling her away. “We were just leaving.”
“I see. Get home safely.”
They stumble out, and I watch in dim awe. Apparently, so are the other club members, who have since paused their practice to watch.
Why are you here?” I ask, “Don’t.. Practice, I mean. Don’t you have practice?”
When he looks at me, that warmth returns immediately. Moreover, he–honest to God–pouts.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were getting harassed!”
“Aren’t we supposed to look out for each other?” He looks up at the other drama club members, waving at them kindly. “You don’t have to face this stuff alone. Though, I
will say.
He grins at me.
“Pretty nice to see that backbone of yours again.
I glower at him, but that seems to only make him laugh.
He also, apparently, takes this incident as an invitation to keep coming back,
Alex starts coming by on days he doesn’t have practice. Just calls out a big “Heyol” and waltzes right in. Once, he purposefully took a seat right beside a shifty group of hecklers, causing them to flee immediately.
Of course, all the drama club members start seeing him as their savior.
While I’m working in the background, worrying whether he has company, I end up hearing him and a few others laugh.
Right Why would I ever worry whether he has enough people to socialize with!
He’s Alex Hewlett
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Chapter 10
“Hey, how long have you been practicing? I bet it takes a lot of work,” Heather says, her dimples on full display.
“How’d you grow so tall? Are all your family members as tall as you?” Maggie raises a hand to try measuring him.
“Oh! I’ve seen that sweater! It’s from Andrew & Firs, right? Mind if I touch it?” Charlie touches him before he gives permission.
All the while, Alex patiently answers their questions with a charming smile. Sure, I get some information about him and his family this way, too, but it’s discomforting. All he has to say are a few words, spread his peacock feathers, and the gaggle of girls are more focused on him than practice.
I can almost feel their hearts skipping beats in my own chest.
Once club ends, the girls still surround him. Some are even taking pictures.
Is he an idion?
Alex looks up, as do the others. I cross my arms, eyes narrowing at them.
“Let’s go.”
Alex’s brain dings with realization first. He smoothly sits up from his lounging stance against the wall and walks over to me, a hand landing on my shoulder and hugging me close.
“Right, right, sorry, babe. Alright, I’ll see you gals later!”
They laugh a little then say their goodbyes, probably realizing they shouldn’t drool openly over someone else’s boyfriend. I huff as we walk out. glaring up at him.
“What
“Am I supposed 1-40 be your girlfriend o–o–or what!”
“I mean, we’re playing it, yeah-
“Then m–m–maybe you should hold off on t–talking to girls so much.”
But Alex just shrugs. “It’d be rude of me to reject them without cause, you know!
“D–Didn’t you make me y–your cause?”
Instead of answering though, he just grins at me in that irritatingly teasing way,
“Aww, getting jealous? Remember, don’t fall for me,” he sings.
Hah! As if he can scold me! My nose wrinkles and I shove my way out of his hold, quickly walking ahead.
“Tw–won’t!
E
AD
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