22| Not your babe.

One smile can't change the world,

but your smile changes mine.

Kathy's POV

While Cece and I are eating in the cafeteria, Anthony, Michael, and Alessia pull up chairs to our table.

"And who invited you?" I ask, looking at Anthony.

Anthony places his hand over his heart and says, "You're hurting my feelings, babe."

"Not your babe," I say, rolling my eyes.

"He wishes," Michael murmurs.

Anthony subtly glares at Michael and kicks his shin under the table. Alessia rolls her eyes at their actions and says, "We were wondering if you guys wanted to hang out after school. We plan on watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy."

I turn to face Cece and raise an eyebrow. She reads my expression and asks, "Will there be food?"

"Of course," Michael answers, winking at her.

Cece ignores him and says, "We're down."

"Awesome! I'll text you my address." Alessia says before the bell rings.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Cece parks on Alessia's driveway and says, "Damn. She's rich rich."

"Let's go in. I want food." I say, laughing.

"Are you sure you're here just for food?" Cece asks with a smirk. "Are you also looking for dessert?"

I gasp and shove her arm. "Shut the fuck up," I mutter.

"Bitch." Cece says, playfully rolling her eyes.

"How about you? Trying to flirt with Michael." I say.

She makes a disgusted face and says, "Him? He's the last person I would ever want to be with. I was just messing around. We've spoken once in like passing."

"Right..." I say, not believing her.

We walk up to the front door, and Michael greets us. "Long time no see." He says, mainly to Cece.

Cece flips him off, and he just laughs. Michael leads us to the kitchen, and I see Anthony on his phone while Alessia places snacks in bowls.

"Do you need any help?" I ask.

"Yes, thank you! I asked for help earlier, but apparently, dickheads don't do that." Alessia mutters, talking about Anthony and Michael.

I hold in a laugh, and Anthony gives me an unimpressed look. I smile and stick out my tongue. "I bought all the food, and you agreed to set it up." He says, shrugging.

Cece and Michael bring the food to the basement while Alessia grabs blankets. I spot red velvet cupcakes on the counter and gasp.

"You bought me cupcakes?" I ask with a smile. I think I just fell in love. I knew you were a whore for food.

"No. I didn't even know you liked red velvet cupcakes..." He lies.

I grin and sit on his lap. "You're far too kind," I say.

"Whatever, Sunshine." He murmurs, wrapping an arm around my waist.

I glance at his face, and he softly smiles. "Are you ready to watch The Lord of the Rings with me?" He asks.

I scoff and say, "Sounds like hell." More like heaven, but okay.

We both get up and start walking down the stairs. "Who do you think will be the first to fall asleep?" He asks.

"Probably Cece. When we have sleepovers, she's out before midnight." I say.

"Really? Michael's the same way." He says.

"Are you lovebirds done making out?" I hear Alessia shout. You wish. No.

"We don't have all day..." Michael chimes in.

"Cece, I swear if you say something, I will shove my foot up your ass," I say at the bottom of the steps.

I choose one of the empty couches, and Anthony makes me scoot over for him. "Fuck off," I murmur while he scoots me off the couch.

"Move your fat ass. You're taking up all the space." He complains.

"I'm taking that as a compliment," I say.

The movie begins, and Anthony and I sit on opposite ends of the couch. I put my feet up and rest them on his lap. He rolls his eyes and mutters something under his breath.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

After we finished the first movie, we ordered pizza for dinner. 30 minutes later, I heard the doorbell ring.

"I got it," I say, getting off the couch.

"It's okay. I got it." Anthony says, making his way up the stairs.

I run towards him and shove him out of my way. "It's cool. I don't need you poisoning the food."

"Damn, you caught me." He says, running after me.

I grab money from my backpack while he gets his wallet. I rush to the door, but he picks me up. I scream in surprise, and he winks at me.

While he's laughing, he takes the pizza with his free hand. "Suck it," I say to Anthony, handing the worker 30 dollars.

She laughs and says, "You guys are a cute couple."

I laugh and say, "We're not-"

"Thank you. She denies her feelings for me, but I know deep down inside she likes me." He answers with a smirk.

I freeze in his arms and watch her walk away. What's wrong? Does he know? I didn't think I was being obvious about having a crush on him. So now you admit it...? Shut up.

I feel sick. Stop overreacting. He just laughed at me. So if he knows, he obviously thinks I'm a total loser and would never consider dating me. I think he was just kidding.

Anthony is still talking when I pat his arm. "I need to go to the bathroom," I say, trying to calm my heart down.

"Are you okay?" He asks, putting me down.

I nod, but I can tell he knows I'm lying. I muster up a smile and say, "Don't poison my food. Or else I'll kill you and bury you somewhere no one will ever find you."

He doesn't push and says, "Don't worry. The poison won't kill you. I'm not that mean."

"Right..." I say, walking towards the bathroom.

After I lock the door, I stare at my reflection. Stop acting so fucking weird. I do my business and decide to return to the basement.

"You take a fat shit or something?" Cece asks.

"Ya, I think your toilet might be clogged," I say to Alessia.

"Really?" She asks, getting ready to fix it.

"I'm just kidding," I say, laughing.

I grab a slice of pizza and glance at Anthony. I raise an eyebrow, and he says, "I didn't do anything." I squint at him and decide to trust him.

"Only two more movies to go," Michael says, starting the second one.

Halfway through the movie, I realize Anthony and I are sitting beside each other. I don't remember moving. Anthony has his arm around me, and I don't want to ruin anything. I lean into his side and relax.

I can feel Anthony's glances, but I'm too much of a chicken to meet his gaze. I glance at Cece and see she's slowly falling asleep. It's barely midnight!

When the second movie ends, everyone but Cece stretches. "Bathroom break!" Alessia says, leaving her couch.

"I swear if you don't let me go first, I'll shit on this couch," Michael says, moving.

"There's a bathroom over there too." She says.

Michael rolls his eyes and says, "You and I both know it's creepy." They both run up the stairs, and I hear someone trip.

"Bitch." I hear him yell.

I try to get up, but Anthony wraps his arm around me. "Let me go, you big turd," I laugh.

He pouts, and I pat his head. "I'm just gonna put on my sweatshirt," I say.

He lets go of me and dramatically says, "Fine. Leave me."

"Drama queen," I mumble.

"I heard that." He says.

"You were supposed to!" I answer back.

After I put on my sweatshirt, I return to the basement. I sit back on the couch and grab the last red velvet cupcake.

Cece wakes up and sees me eating the cupcake. "Are there any more chips?" She asks, rubbing her eyes.

I hand her the bowl of chips, and she smiles. "How many more movies?" She asks.

"Only one more to go," I answer.

After I finish the cupcake, I sigh with contentment. "My food baby is satisfied," I say, patting my stomach.

I gather my hair to start braiding when Anthony asks, "Can I braid your hair?"

"You know how to do that?" I ask, surprised.

"I'm a man with many talents, Sunshine." He claims. "Jasmine makes me braid her hair." He mumbles.

I softly smile and say, "Since you asked so nicely."

"Guess who clogged the fucking toilet," Alessia says, returning to the basement.

"I said I was sorry." He says.

They started the last movie, and I lay down after Anthony was done braiding. "Not bad," I say, examining his work.

30 minutes into the movie, I start to feel my eyes shut. Before I fall asleep, someone covers me in a fluffy blanket. Fluffy!

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