15 | 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝐼 𝐷𝑖𝑒

I've talked it over with Sullivan, we were planning on working on our project every Friday, then Victor helps me whenever I need, and I help him Saturdays. Basically, the two guys I never expected to have relations with, were both meeting me back to back.

Kayla, Jay, and I were at lunch, picking out of the container of fries we shared. We weren't big lunch people, having said that our period was fourth.

Who eats lunch at ten in the morning? Beats me!

Of course I told Kayla about Vicky coming over for Thanksgiving. That'd be rude if I didn't. She was annoyed at first, eventually she'd gotten over it. Jay on the other hand played a fun game of rooting for different 'teams' as he'd like to call it. Sometimes he'd make it apparent it's 'Team Sully and Azariah' meanwhile other times it's 'Team Azariah and Victor.' While being vise versa for Kayla as well.

"So, I'm thinking," Jay started, toying with a fry in the red and white checkered paper basket centered on the table.

Kayla shook her head timidly. "This can't be a good thing."

I chuckled lightly, urging for him to continue. He smiled dimly towards Kayla and said, "I'm thinking we should all try out for--"

"No," Kayla uttered.

"For Vulpine Union," he concluded strongly. "I think we should do something this senior year and the community service club is the best place to start---"

"I've never heard of this club," Kayla grumbled, her head in her hands.

I agreed with minimal head nods as Jay raised his tone, arguing, "It exists! You know, it's run by the Chinese Mandarin teacher---"

"Since when did we have a Chinese Mandarin class?" Kayla rebuked, her eyebrows stitched to her hairline in a passive aggressive manner. "What do you have us doing?"

I shrugged lightly, egging him to continue with a beckoning gesture my head made. Jay nodded curtly and replied, "First of all, he also teaches French. Secondly, he runs the club and--"

"Hey, Jay," called a girl at the head of the table. Her shadow lingered over our food as she tucked a thin, flattened strand of fire-red hair behind the shell of her ear. Black, circle rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of her nose, hiding the starry night of freckles on her cheeks.

He straightened, drawing his legs over the bench and smiling giddily. "Hey, Penn," he greeted.

She smiled, folding her pink glossed lips into her mouth. "I have the Vulpine Union sign-in sheet, it's due in a few hours--"

"Of course," he mused.

Kayla shot me the look.

I shot it back.

She placed down the clipboard with a string wrapped around the metal handle, attaching a pen. The series of lines had only two occupants.

I looked up at the girl who started to smile towards Kayla and I. "Are you both doing it too?" she asked happily, her pink tinted lips in a loose grin. "We need all the people we can get this year."

I studied Jay as he eagerly wrote his name on the line. Hesitantly, I inquired, "What is it... exactly?"

Her eyes were flickering towards the lunch table, a bit nervous. "Vulpine Union is an organization whose goal is to help and strive to make the world a better place. We start small in the beginning, but at the end of the school year, we take a road trip!" she exclaimed lightly.

Kayla shrugged, watching as Jaydon slid over the clipboard. She looked at it, then nodded. "I'll join. I got nothing else to do," she joked softly, scribbling her name on it. "What's your name again?"

"Penelope," she introduced with a hand. "But many people just call me Penny," she explained.

"Except me," Jay boasted. "I call you Penn."

She tightened her ponytail, watching me intently. "Are you going to join?"

"I don't know..." My voice started to trail, Kayla slid me the clipboard.

I really don't want to. I mean, does anyone really have time for this? This is going to be so boring--- Oh my God! Sullivan Corbett is doing it!

"I'll do it," I stated, writing my name below Kayla's. "This is going to be..." I handed her the clipboard. Pushing my shoulders up to my neck. "So much fun!"

"Great! This is awesome." She pivoted towards Jay, the sincere lopsided smile perking up in her dimples. "Thank you again--"

"Penn," he started as if it was obvious. "Of course. I'll see you in physics," he sang, his eyes holding onto the stare a little longer before she blushed, her rosy cheeks firing over her freckles before she walked back to the 'nerds' table.

"You didn't tell me Sullivan Corbett joined?" I urged, my eyebrow quipping up into my forehead.

Jay rolled his eyes. "Oh sorry, it slipped my mind."

"We noticed," Kayla remarked, twisting the cap of her water bottle off and chugging a good portion, giving me the knowing eyes.

"Huh?" Jay appeared absolutely oblivious.

"You know..." she started, toying with the cap in her hand. "Just the way you look at Penelope kinda gives off the vibe that she's the only reason you're doing the community service."

He laughed softly, scratching the nape of his neck. "You're stupid. Not the only reason," he added playfully, "y'know... helping the word and something." He laughed. "Alright, gotta go to the bathroom and try and get this person to stop talking to me."

He leapt up from the table and began strolling out of the cafeteria when Kayla turned to me. "What person?" she whispered.

"I don't know." We laughed for a moment before allowing the current of conversation to sweep through the gaps in ours. I picked out a fry, playing with it for a moment, then popping it in my mouth. It was soggy, but I didn't really question it as much as Kayla, who played with hers.

I noticed her odd behavior of anxiety and asked, "is something wrong?"

"I'm going on a date with Victor," she declared.

"Wait, seriously? He asked you out?" I pressed, my eyes widening in surprise and shock. I almost couldn't believe it, that or I didn't want to. Envy bites like a hungry rattlesnake.

"No, but I think I'm ready to ask him. You have Sully, Jay has Penelope, and I have... no one," she briefly explained.

"If anything, Jay is the only one who has a shot," I noted humorously. "I've barely talked to Liv, and when I do, I can most definitely say it's not flirtatious. I'm telling you!" I cried out, "he doesn't even know me."

"Well, stop lying and maybe he'll figure you out," she suggested. My cold glare ultimately led to her turning away in annoyance. "I just need Victor to notice me."

"It's not my fault you didn't talk to him when we went to the firework show," I protested, chowing down on the mashed potato.

"It is," she laughed. "Completely is."

I observed her steady eyes on the doors to the cafeteria. "Are you still mad at that?" I meekly wondered in her direction, but she shook her head in denial.

"No." She laughed softly. "I'm more mad at myself. I get what you mean, making a move towards your crush is intimidating."

"See!" I glowered, "bitch, you thought it was easy!" I retorted matter of factly, the cockiest look on my face. I stood up from the table, grabbing onto the checkered basket of fries.

"You're one son of a bitch, I love your mom though, so that's the only reason why we're still friends," Kayla jested.

I rolled my eyes and started walking backwards when a sudden grunt erupted behind me when my back collided into a very muscular build. A few fries had fallen out of the container and slapped onto the floor.

I spun around, ready to lash out when I saw the dreamy look of Sullivan Corbett. My heart started speeding, driving harder into my chest as my neck inflamed. "Li--Sully," I corrected.

"Riyah," he said, finger up in the sky. "Whose house are we going to Friday?"

In a dazed tone, soft and wistfully, I replied, "to the what?" My eyes were watching his every move, including his confusion which peeked.

He simply explained, "the project, every Friday?"

I jerked back to life. "Yeah, I know," I muttered, "I was just... messing with you," I teased, clutching my fingers and punching his bicep casually.

Fuck, why was it rock hard? He didn't even move! He only stared at where my knuckles bumped onto his muscle. Shit. This is embarrassing. I bet Kayla got second-hand embarrassment. Fuck!

He chuckled awkwardly, nodding and gazing out to the cafeteria doors. "Yeah, um--my house or yours?"

My eyes lit up. He was asking me if he could come over to my house and I'd been awaiting this for as long as I could remember. Seeing him, in my home. Walking around my living room and making himself comfortable was a dream.

I nodded eagerly, cleared my throat, and casually asserted, "Yeah, mine works I think. I just have to ask my mom."

Fuck! Why do I sound literally eleven years old?! I face-palmed mentally.

His lips pulled up into his dimples.

I made him smile! I made Sullivan Corbett genuinely smile at something that I said, and I didn't even have to lie or fall off a cliff for it.

In the corner of my vision, I noticed Victor Vislocky eating some girls' face. He was standing between her legs, her seated position on the edge of the cafeteria table seemed to cause her back to inch closer to the surface. His hand smoothed up her thigh, causing her to break from the heated kiss.

I didn't realize I was staring at the scene like a pervert until I noted a blur of motion as Sullivan waved his hand in front of my eyes. I jumped back, questioning frantically, "what was that?"

"My hand?" he repeated slowly. "Were you even listening to me?" He was grinning, but I saw the slight hurt in his eyes.

"No!" I yelled out, backing away and confirming lower, "No, I'm just having a tiring day. Nothing against you, really," I exaggerated. I was making a mess of myself, and wiping the mess with more of my mess.

"Okay," he murmured, grimacing and placing a hand on my shoulder, giving a warm squeeze that felt like an impending 'FAINT' button on my body. My knees were ready to give out as I relished in the small gesture. His hand slipped off as he beamed, "I can't wait to see your big guy!"

I frowned, tensing my body. The feeling of pure excellence and heat leaving me in a gust of wind. "Big guy?" I repeated.

"Moose?" he reminded me. "Big guy, right?"

"Right!" I laughed, overdoing myself. Hunching over and throwing my hand up towards him. "Yep, the big guy can't wait! Neither can I! Friday!" I exclaimed, he was walking through the doorway as I announced, "he'll be waiting at the door! In my house! Hope you aren't allergic to saliva!" I yelled to his back in the middle of the cafeteria, "Dog saliva, not mine that would be... fuck," I snapped at the end in a whisper, curling my fists and latching onto the strap of my bag.

Kayla burst out in hysterics, slamming her hand to the table. "That was some of the best shit I've seen--hey, where are you going?" she asked breathlessly, the smile stained on her face as I zipped the bag, squirming my arm through and charging to the far side of the cafeteria.

My last words 'talk later' had been spat out in a rush of energy. Within seconds of me saying that, I darted and stopped abruptly in front of Victor's intense make-out session. I swore I could hear the blonde moan, but I winced, ignoring that and clearing my throat.

His lips tore from the girl, his eyes closed in lust. He breathed heavily, his hands clutched the table. His back bent, towering over the girl leaning on the lunch table. He started slowly standing, glaring at me. He tried to compose his breath, but I couldn't even compose mine.

Every pair of eyes were on me, even the shy lunch ladies in the back peeked over to see why it got so deathly silent. No one in school knew Victor and I were 'friends' and neither did I.

I swallowed thickly.

Shit.

He took one step closer to me, his leather jacket fitting his arms, his black shredded jeans hugging his thighs and kissing the start to his combat boots. I knew how intimidating he was just by the way he stared at me.

"Yes, Rhy?" he drawled. He looked me down and I felt so small in front of him. I hurriedly glanced at the blonde.

I pursed my lips, fixed my posture and tightened my grip around my backpack strap. "I need a favor."

"A favor?" he repeated. His lips were shifted into a cocky, smug, lopsided smile. His brown eyes were piercing, yet playful.

"Yeah..." I awkwardly began, "I just said that."

The blonde scowled, still seated on the cafeteria table. "Are you seriously gonna listen to her? Who is she? Probably a fucking virgin too?" she asked with bitterness. I had to hold back my comments, not that I didn't have a choice.

Victor stifled a laugh and replied, "not when I'm done with her."

My eyes softened. "What?"

The blonde continued to laugh, cupping her hand over her mouth to keep it muffled and contained, but I heard them. He turned to me in a more puzzled manner. "You said you had a favor?"

"And you said what?" I mocked. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but for some strange reason, a tingling sensation coursed through my arm and I swatted my hand to his face, a resounding slap echoed over the silence. If people weren't looking before, they were definitely looking now.

Guilt flashed in my eyes for a second, but he studied the ground, shocked, and frozen in place. His head slightly tilted from the movement, his right hand hovering over his cheek to feel the faint rash of redness.

Shit! Shit! Shit. What did I do? Why did I do that? Holy fucking shit. I just slapped Victor Vislocky.

His hand slipped into his pocket.

He's gonna kill me. He's going to murder me in front of a cafeteria filled with people.

This how I die.

I don't know why, but I darted. I sped like a granny in a mall. My backpack jostled on my back as I fiddled with the doorknob to the cafeteria doors. I opened the door, ready to exit when a hand latched onto my bag, yanking me towards them and causing me to stumble. He started to surpass me, twisting his car keys around his finger.

"You slap me like that again and I swear, you will regret it," he warned without looking at me. I stared at him longingly before hurrying to keep up. I was a pace behind him, my desperation to understand him raging in my mind.

"No, you disrespect me like that--"

He pivoted around, resulting in me colliding into his wall of a torso. I slammed against him, panting heavily as I took a step away. He was tense and staring down on me. "You need to learn how to control yourself," he warned threateningly low.

I crossed my arms. "Now we're even."

"Are you saying that I hit you?" he revoked.

"Well, no I--"

"Exactly," he concluded, but I wasn't done with him. The walls were dim with a few lights, one flickering at the end of the hallway. A storm was approaching. The clouds were graying outside and the tiles on either side of the hallway were cold to the touch. He spun around, walking towards the exit. "I'm assuming you want a ride?"

I needed to get his attention in a badass manner. "Stop walking! Pronto," I declared.

"Pronto?" he repeated slower, abruptly stopping to look over his shoulder. "Who says that?"

"It caught your attention," I mused, beginning to catch up to his side. "Listen," I breathed sharply. "I want a hug."

"No."

"Please?" I begged.

His expression was blank, his eyes darkening. "No."

"It's only fair," I protested. "You hugged me that time at your house when you weren't so nice to me. Now, I need a hug."

He rolled his eyes, before meeting mine again. He seemed lighter and I felt lighter just by looking at him. He beckoned a hand to his chest, the muscles accentuated through the thin fabric of his t-shirt. "Fine," he muttered, "hug me."

I didn't trust him suddenly with the way he effortlessly gave in.

"No," I remarked, "you're gonna shove me away."

"Hug me, dammit!" he cursed, shaking his head disappointingly. He was frustrated a bit, but underlying with humor.

"No, you come to me," I instructed matter-of-factly.

"I don't take orders from girls under 5'3," he noted.

"I am an inch away from 5'3. You better give me a hug, pronto," I mocked, then added to throw him over the edge, "Vicky."

He shook his head. "If you think you can slap me again--"

"Well," I started with a shrug of my shoulders. "Don't assume that every girl wants to sleep with you. I have a type, golden hair, football boys, and dog lovers. Besides, that brings me to where we need to go," I uttered, drawing closer to the exit doors, now patterned with rain drops. "We need to go to the animal shelter."

"The animal shelter?" he retorted. "Why?"

"I need a big golden dog." I shot him a cold look and opened my arms. "Hug."

"Fine," he groaned, closing the gap between us and giving me a gentle squeeze around my biceps. He parted ways, 'glaring' at me. "You're not being serious about getting a dog, right?"

"Kayla would talk me out of it, Jay would think I'm obsessed, and you, well... what's your reaction?" I inquired, intrigued.

"You're stupid."

I smiled brightly towards the rain and sang, "Good enough!"

x