*Geek Boy*
Ellie Kent was hugging me.
Ellie Kent.
My eyes locked with hers and my heart shuddered. She was looking up at me, her lips slightly parted, eyes widened.
Goodness, she was stunning.
Red had started to pool in her cheeks, and I realised we'd been staring at each other for too long to be normal.
Stupid Will.
I cleared my throat as I reluctantly released her. My arms instantly felt empty. Her arms fell from my back. I stepped away, putting some space between us.
My breath caught as I took her in properly for the first time today.
Ellie Kent looked dangerously beautiful.
She wore a skin-tight black suit. It clung to her frame, highlighting her curves. A pink utility belt hung around her waist, filled with what looked like guns. Her  hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and black eyeliner darkened the area around her eyes, making her aquamarine eyes that much more piercing. Her lips were dark red. They were parted as she peered up at me.
Gosh darn it.
Two trains slammed into my chest simultaneously.
My heart stuttered before pounding with a vengeance.
I looked away quickly, lifting my hand to my jaw to hide the blush crawling up my neck.
My gaze focused on a wall as I attempted to slow down my heart. I couldn't look at her. Relax Will, relax.
Ok, I can do this. I risked a glance at Ellie.
She was wringing her wrists, her gaze on the floor. I frowned. She looked anxious. I would do anything to make her feel better.
I cleared my throat.
What do I say? How do I start?
"Hey," I said.
Good job Will. Note the sarcasm.
She glanced up and red flooded her face.
Goodness, I loved watching her blush.
My fingers twitched with the urge to stroke a finger down her cheek.
"Hey," she replied softly. She bit her lip.
Gosh darn it, she was adorable.
Stop it, Will.
I glanced down at the guns around her waist, then the bazooka on the ground. I tried to control my expression. "So, what's going on?"
Great Will. Great question. Just great.
She blushed. "Paintballing," she explained. She moved her hands as she tried to explain. "We're having a paintballing competition. Boys versus girls. I'm in a team with Gemma, Layla and Madison. But we split up, and me and Madison went to the canteen, and Justin was chasing me, so I ran..." She trailed off. "Sorry, I'm babbling."
I suppressed a smile.
Ellie glanced up at me from beneath her lashes. "I thought you weren't coming in today," she said softly.
I tilted my head, frowning. "Why?"
"You never come in on Activity days," she replied matter-of-factly.
My heart slowed to a stop.
Wait. What?
How would she know that? That was way before I ever started tutoring her.
To know that she must have noticed me skipping Activity days for the last two years...
She didn't know I existed then...right?
Her eyes widened, as if she realised what she'd said, and her face burned in a completely new shade of red. She ducked her head. "Stupid, Ellie," she mumbled.
I chuckled.
Hesitantly, I stepped closer. With my free hand, I nudged her chin. She met my gaze, her eyes wide. I touched her cheek, enjoying the sparks of electricity that jolted down my spine. And the way red permeated her skin.
"Cute," I murmured.
Her gaze fell to the ground and another bout of red blossomed in her cheeks. "Now you think I'm absolutely obsessed with you," she muttered.
Not as obsessed as I am with you.
"I noticed you way before we started high school," I replied softly.
Devin Elementary. Seven years ago. 15th of October. 2:29 pm. The moment Ellie Kent changed my life.
Her eyes jumped up to mine in surprise, widening. "Y-you did?"
I nodded, attempting to ignore the rapid thumping of my heart as I waited for her reaction.
A smile stretched over her face, and then she giggled.
The sound danced through my chest and down my spine.
Wow.
And just like that, everything Catherine had said dissipated into nothing. And I didn't care if she hadn't told her friends about me, I didn't care that I might be a secret to her, I just cared that I was here--with her.
I tugged the hand I was holding to my lips, pressing a light kiss on her skin. Red burned the skin beneath my lips. I heard her sharp intake of breath.
I looked up, catching Ellie's eyes. "I missed you," I murmured softly.
She blushed. "I-I missed you too," she mumbled. "We didn't get to talk yesterday, after you know..." she blushed again.
The kiss. The date.
My fingers caressed hers. "We can talk now," I offered.
She nodded, but she was still blushing. She looked so nervous. I wanted to rub a hand down her back, to tell her it was ok.
"I thought you were amazing yesterday," I began. "The way you answered that sum Mr Meyer gave you. I was so proud."
She grinned and blushed again. "That was so cool. Did you see his face when I got the answer right?"
I chuckled against her hand. She jumped at the sound, her eyes widening. Another bout of red erupted on her cheeks.
So cute.
"I did," I replied. "You impressed him."
She made a face. "I doubt it. That guy hates me. It was all thanks to you anyway. Your tutoring is amazing."
My gaze went back to studying her hand. There wasn't a single flaw on her palms. Her nails were manicured, and looked absolutely flawless.
Out of my league.
"He doesn't hate you," I responded, brushing another kiss on her palm, "he just has something against cheerleaders. I think it has to do with the school funding."
She pouted and I nearly melted from how adorable she looked. "But he never picks on Katie."
"Katie Richards?" I remembered the blonde girl who had left the room with Ellie last lesson.
"You know her?" Ellie asked.
I nodded. "She's incredibly intelligent. Attends some university lectures I go to. And she works where I work." She volunteers at the orphanage.
Ellie stiffened. "Oh."
I frowned, glancing up. Her eyes were pasted on the ground. She gnawed on her lip.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She blinked rapidly and her lips parted but she said nothing.
"Please tell me," I asked.
"Sorry, I'm being such a baby," she mumbled. "I was just surprised is all. I didn't think you talked to many girls. Except for..." her gaze met mine and I could see something flash in her eyes as she muttered the name, "Catherine."
Ellie's eyes flickered to the ground then back to me. She gnawed her lip before finally speaking. "You and Catherine..." she trailed off, peering up at me.
My brows furrowed, before I realized what she was asking. "Friends," I said, squeezing her hand in reassurance. But, to be honest, after the way she'd spoken about Ellie, I wasn't sure I wanted to be friends much longer.
Ellie hesitated. Her voice was quiet when she spoke. "But she likes you?" she murmured. "As more than a friend, I mean."
I didn't respond, my gaze back on her hand. It wasn't fair for me to discuss Catherine's feelings.
I heard Ellie sigh. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked. Its none of my business."
But I want it to be your business.
I want to ask you to be my girlfriend.
"Ellie..." I began. I cleared my throat, looking up so I could meet her gaze. "You're the only girl I've ever liked."
Her eyes widened and she took in a sharp breath. "Ever?" she asked.
"Ever," I answered.
I could feel heat creeping up my neck.
I was ten years old when I fell for Ellie Kent. Before that, as far as I was concerned, girls still had cooties.
She smiled, still biting her lip. "Can I tell you a secret then?"
I tilted my head. "Hmm?"
She blushed. "You're the only guy I've ever liked," she said, so quietly it was almost a breath.
I blinked in surprise.
Really?
Ellie Kent, the most beautiful girl on the entire planet, had only ever liked one guy?
Me?
I tried to compose myself, but I couldn't. Instead, a grin stretched across my face. I pressed her hand to my lips again, attempting to hide the smile.
"Thank you," I said softly
Then I paused, hesitating. "You and Justin...?"
I gazed up at her from beneath my lashes. She blinked, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to decipher what I meant. Then her eyes widened and she shook her head rapidly. She even cringed.
Ellie Kent cringed at the mention of the quarterback.
"No way," she replied, "no offence to him, but I just don't see him that way." She blushed as her gaze flickered away from mine. Her words came out in a murmur, "you're the only one I see like that." she blushed again. "It's always been you Will."
And now my heart was pulsing too fast.
I tried to compose my expression as my hand caressed her face. She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering in the light streaming through the windows.
Now or never, Will.
"Then, can I ask you a question?"
My heart pounded in my skull, the beat bouncing in my ears.
She nodded, her eyes wide. I took in her features in that moment. Her parted lips, her flawless skin, the way her lashes were so long that they could sweep the floor.
Wow.
I would remember the way she looked in this moment forever.
And I knew that I wasn't going to leave this room without asking her the question that had been burning my mind for the last seven years.
I took a deep breath and said the words:
"Ellie Kent, will you be my girlfriend?"
*
Ok, that chapter was so cheesy, I couldn't even read it XD It literally made me feel weird inside ;) Anyway, I hoped you liked it :D
This chapter is dedicated to everyone who has ever voted, left a nice comment, or thought a nice thing about this book. I know there are flaws in my writing, and I know the romance is slow, but I really appreciate all the people who still read this ;) I love you :)
Anyway, I'm actually watching Jodie Marsh's documentary Bullied right now and seeing all the bullying that still goes on is truly horrible :( I think I'd like to write a book about it, but, for now, all I can say is guys please think before you say something to someone's face or write something on the internet. There is a person hearing that. That person has family and friends, and you have no idea what they're going through.
I still love you guys :)
God bless
xxx
Yemi Everest