Authors: Layla James
Jen flutters her eyelashes and offers him her hand. I roll my eyes.
She is nuts.
“Nice to meet you,” she says.
“You, too.” The bell cuts us short and Brian holsters his backpack up his back. “I guess I need to get to class, I’ll see you two later?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say, before he darts down the hallway.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was a hottie,” she squeals.
“Because, I wasn’t really checking him out, Jen. Jeez. Not to mention he is only fourteen,” I say, shutting my locker. “He does look like Liam though.”
“Ya think, you need to start having me on your mind when you see these boys. Age ain’t anything but a number.” She scoffs. “Gah, Katy, stop being so selfish,” she says. She winks and runs toward class.
I don’t see
Liam all day. Brian sits with us during lunch and I almost ask but I don’t. I don’t want to say his name. A large lump grows in my throat when I think about it. So I don’t ask. When the bell rings I go straight home. Jen asks me to come to her house for a
Vampire Dairies
up-date on
Hulu
, since we have neglected it because of
Glee
but I decline. I just want to go into my room and read or relax. Mom isn’t home yet, she won’t be back from the office until five or six. I’m not complaining, I like the time alone.
I go to the kitchen and pull out some lunch meat and bread. I fix a sandwich and walk up to my room. I stop short when I open my door. A little bear is sitting in the center of my bed, a rose fastened to it. I nervously glance around my room. Please, don’t let Hayden be here again.
I set my sandwich down on my desk and walk to the bear. I untie the rose and hold it in my hand. I wait for something to happen. Maybe Mom thought this would make me feel better? But that’s kind of a romantic gift for a mother/daughter relationship.
“You know,” I hear and I turn toward the door. Liam is leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, his big grey eyes wide, a dangerous smile crawling up his face. “If I ever thank Hayden for anything, it’s going to be pointing out where the extra key is hidden.”
I try not to smile but I do anyway. It sends a few tears down my face. I look down at the bear and pick it up. “Little bear,” he whispers, kicking off the doorframe. I wait patiently for him to make it to me. I smell him first, that salty sea water and mellow sandalwood. His fingers tilt my chin up toward him. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.
I bite my lip and nod. I can’t risk saying anything; a sob is riding on my lips.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I overdramatized the situation; I know you were hurting; it just hurt me to see you with him. It hurt worse than anything else I’ve ever felt.”
I nod.
“I’ve missed you, Katy,” he whispers, moving his mouth closer to mine. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”
“Brian is here,” I mumble out.
He grins. “He is, so is my mom. She wants me to bring you by their new house. Thank you, Katy,” he coos. I lick my lips and nod. “Little bear,” he whispers. “I want you back. I want you back with me. I’m not pretending anymore, I haven’t been for a long time. I want you to be with me, because I want you. Not to stop some rumor.”
I let the sob out of my throat and smile helplessly at the sound. “I’ve missed you, too,” I whisper.
Liam lowers his mouth toward mine and kisses me. It feels like the first real thing I’ve felt in weeks. It feels like he really is kissing me, for me, not for an agreement. Liam lifts me up and places me on the bed, showering me with kisses.
“I don’t want to let go,” he whispers.
“Then don’t.”
He sighs into my hair and whispers, “I think it’s time to give Avalon High more things to talk about.”
I gasp. “Liam, you wouldn’t be suggesting anything our parents wouldn’t approve of.”
“I am little bear.”
“I’m both appalled and turned on,” I whisper.
He laughs and pulls me closer to him. “Come here, we have some rumors to start,” he says, before bringing his lips back down to mine.
The End.