20 | 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝐴 𝐾𝑖𝑠𝑠

"Don't worry," Keiona assured with a smile. "I mean, worse case scenario--"

"This is the worst case scenario!" I exclaimed, throwing my head back against the cars' passenger seat in agitation. "I mean, think about it. Sullivan hates me because he thinks I'm dating Victor. Vicky hates me because the whole school thinks we're dating, and then Kayla hates me because I'm with her crush twenty four seven," I rambled. I heaved a tired breath, my eyes bulging from their sockets.

Keiona forced a hopeful smile with her hands smoothing over the wheel to her yellow Mini Cooper. "Well, thank you for texting me. I could use another girl friend around. I've been all over the place since my ex boyfriend moved."

"You've dated?" I asked, then dumbly said, "I mean... I'm not surprised, you're drop dead gorgeous, but me on the other hand--"

"Are fucking adorable and beautiful," Keiona concluded my sentence. She added in a sing-song tone, "and if Sullivan can't see that-"

"God," I groaned. "You sound like my mom or worse, Kayla. So, what school do you even go to?" I glanced over at her while she mindlessly drove. She was fixed on the road wearing beautiful sunglasses, propped on the bridge of her nose as I held my hand to my forehead like a makeshift visor.

"Havenset High, I live like thirty minutes away from you," she noted with a lighthearted shrug. "Listen, how mad was Victor?"

"Pretty mad," I voiced sheepishly. "Kayla now thinks I'm dating her crush and I haven't been able to explain that it was all a joke and now I have a fucking party to go to this week." I jumped excitedly and invited, "you should come! Oh my God, please?"

"I'll have to see." She scratched the back of her neck, the bottom of her lustrous curls tickling her hand. "But I would love to go. From what you've told me, Sullivan sounds rich-rich."

"I know, right?" I bragged, laughing all the while. It cut off the second that she inched the car into a parking space, my stomach up to my throat and my heart to my gut. "This was a bad idea."

"You said no one else would go with you, maybe that was a hint?" she suggested with a chuckle. "Listen, we'll go in, get the expensive ass shirt, and leave."

"Not that simple," I muttered. "I walk out four hundred dollars-less."

Keiona unbuckled, popping open the car door as I followed. She was naturally a taller girl and now that she wore loud heels, she was a good two feet above me. "Don't worry," she assured again. "We'll go in, 'geter done, and leave."

Easy enough.

As we entered the fluorescent mall in the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne, I was already freaking out in my shoes, the skylight allowed for a sea of light to flood the indoors and though I wanted Victor to be here, I knew he needed space after Sullivan had started the forest fire of rumors that I created. Apparently, it was big news for him.

I thought that I wouldn't need to warn Sullivan about the whole not telling the school thing, but I guess that was two things to take note of about my infamous crush. He likes frogs, and gossip.

"Here we are," she started sweetly.

"This is pathetic." I stared at the big bold white letters of Armani Outlets. "We look like we don't belong."

"Babe, what are you talking about?" she reprimanded, waving her hand down her length. "I wore my good skinny jeans just for this."

"I know," I chuckled, but shrugged nonetheless. "I'm gonna wear a shirt, showing the brand, that I gave four hundred dollars too for no reason other than what?"

"You got yourself into this mess."

"You really sound like Kayla."

"And you can get yourself out," Keiona finished. "Think about it. There's always enough time for you to come clean to Sullivan."

"I already let him down by saying I'm taken," I explained to her sorrowfully. Nevertheless, I started for the wide open glass doors and gasped the second that I stepped foot onto the laminate polished flooring. Expensive ass clothing surrounded me and classic rich sounding music reminded me that I most definitely did not belong.

"Perfect," Keiona breathed, picking up my arm and leading me towards one of the sidings of the store. She picked out a white t-shirt with the logo sprawled across the chest. "This is what you're looking for, right?"

"I guess." I squeezed my eyes shut. "Tell me. Just give it to me straight." I hadn't exhaled in a while.

There was a long moment of silence. "Five hundred--"

"Oh, Jesus. I'll need some of those rattlesnake prayers to get me through this. Mrs. Corbett where are you now?" I begged, my hands falling to my knees in desperation to steady my breathing. "Oh, damn... It's hot in here. Is that just me?"

"Girl," she stated sympathetically. "This is better than like... a thousand dollars?" she suggested meekly. She made a face and then said, "also, it's really cold in here."

"Just give me the shirt." I lowered my voice, straightening my posture. "Do you umm... How do you feel about the storyline of Bonnie and Clyde?"

"No," she deadpanned, chuckling to herself and pushing me towards the cashier. "You got this."

"I don't want to--" At the brief eye contact with the lady behind the register and her somewhat decent smile, I greeted bubbly, "hi!"

"This all?"

No shit, Sherlock!

"Yeah, that's it. Just... out of curiosity, what's the cheapest thing in this store?" I questioned, watching her scan the tag with a snap of her gum.

She spun to the closest shelving unit in a glass case and unlocked it with a key, returning to my embarrassed presence and revealing to me a hair clip. "This is three hundred dollars."

"Yeah," I agreed with a nod. "I'll take the shirt."

♡♡♡

"You wore it!" he boasted with a smile.

"I did." My eyes fell to the white t-shirt and the plastered logo bombarding my boobs. I walked alongside him in the hallways on our way towards the gymnasium.

"Your boyfriend isn't gonna get like mad that we're matching, right?"

"No--" I held in a long breath. I couldn't tell the truth to Sullivan, but this wasn't my lie, this was now Vicky's. I felt miserable with how angry he seemed and even though I wanted to add a 'but there's something you need to know,' I didn't. I will have to live with this lie a little longer.

"So, I'm thinking we could watch another movie at your house if that's alright with you?" he suggested heartily.

"Sounds like a plan, as long as you give Moose more of your dinner. I think he loves you," I joked, running a hand through my hair.

I know what people might think. Moose is kind of a part of the family now.

"Hey, Sully! Riyah!"A familiar voice called. I pivoted around to see Penelope alongside Kayla. They both excitedly swept to our side as we paraded through to the locker rooms.

"Sup, how are you guys doing?" Sullivan wondered, beckoning his head to them. "What about you Kay?"

"Just fine," she grumbled with a smirk.

Penelope stuffed her hands into her black denim jacket and made a popping noise with her mouth. "I'm thinking..." she started. "We could all carpool to the community service. I can borrow my mom's minivan," she teased lightly, "very hot."

"Indeed." I laughed.

Sullivan bounded the corner and entered the boys locker room with a few waves and a 'see you later'.  As for the three of us, we walked up to the gray door labeled "Girl's Locker Room" instead.

Kayla and I filed our way through the busy room towards the two lockers side-by-side. I was popping open the locker after turning the combo when suddenly Kayla turned to me with interest. "Why didn't you tell me Victor and you were dating?"

At this, before I could reply, a brunette haired girl spun to me, wearing nothing but her undergarments to say, "I agree."

"Do I know you?" I asked with a brow raise.

"Name's Nicole, but why haven't you gone public about your relationship with Victor?"

Another blonde came popping up wearing just a long athletic t-shirt. "Oh my God, you're the girl dating Vislocky. Urgh, you are so lucky. He just used me then threw me out like a fucking tissue," she remarked with a laugh.

"Not me! I had friends with benefits," chided another girl from the far side of the locker room. "Not to mention he tasted so good--"

"I agree!" Nicole voiced.

Interrupting their disturbing conversation, I inquired, "how many of you have slept with him?"

Before Kayla's and my eyes, we saw at least twelve out of the twenty girls step forward. I noticed Kayla looked a little embarrassed and I couldn't blame her, knowing this many people slept with one guy.

He has to have an STD by now.

"So, what's your experience like?" Nicole urged.

The blonde bobbed her head repetitively. "Was it a hookup first? Or dates?"

Fuck, this is bad. Very bad.

"Well, I--"

Coach Candrall's voice bombarded the locker room whilst Kayla slid on her t-shirt. "Girls! Be out there running your laps in one minute!" They all simultaneously shuffled back to their lockers with a monotonous groan as I quickly threw on my clothes and jogged out.

As I was running, I noticed Victor was standing by the doors looking bored as ever. I slowed my pace to a walk with heaving breaths as I hunched over in front of him.

"Hey, girlfriend," he mocked, though I knew he was angry.

"What are you doing? We have to be running--"

"You're fucking with me," he deadpanned. "You just have to be. I'm not doing gym class."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot. Toxic masculinity--"

"I do not!" he snapped then drew closer, unbearably close as his warm breath tickled my nose. "You listen here, after all this shit you pulled---"

Coach Candrall shouted, "run your laps!"

I instinctively snagged on his wrist followed by his string of curses. "I need to talk to you!" I whisper-yelled over to him sharply, my eyes focused on his nonchalant expression, minus the menacing glare, but that was casual on him.

"What? And it couldn't wait?" he drew out while running with me.

"Not really, no!" I admitted, my words getting cut off by invasive inhales. "Sullivan thought we uhh-- were uhh--" My breathing grew labored with each attempt at running I made. "Dating and I uhh freaked out then his parents friend-zoned me and uhh--we-- a-ate rattlesnake--" I tripped over my own two feet and face planted onto the laminate hard flooring of the gymnasium.

My body skidded forward as I grumbled, "ww." My breathing was harsh while Victor's footing slowed to a stop.

He crouched down, breathing perfectly fine, even after running for as long as we did, looking like a Calvin Klein model. He tipped his chin, staring at me. "Are you sure this whole Sullivan facade isn't just to get with me, Princess?"

"No!" I snapped, raising my head. "And I'm not your princess!"

"Sure you aren't." He held out his hand which I took gratefully, picking myself up off the ground. In the distance, I heard rhythmic steps and for a second I thought it was Coach Candrall until I heard his voice.

"You alright?" Sullivan wondered, gesturing to my state.

My cheeks flared bright pink, nodding swiftly. I quickly noticed that Victor and I were still holding hands and shot mine back to my side. "Yeah--I was just--"

"Don't worry bout' her," Victor uttered, "she isn't your problem."

My heart sped at the scowl morphed onto Victor's expression as he told my crush off for caring about me.

This couldn't have been a part of his plan.

I went to smooth over what he'd said, but it had already been too late and before my eyes, Sullivan took a step closer and asked, "what's that supposed to mean, Vislocky?"

"I don't know," Victor mused, "it's just sort of funny how I've never seen you round Azariah until I started dating her." He ran his tongue over his tooth. "I can't tell if you're obsessed with her... or me?"

As I hurriedly exchanged looks between the two unresponsive faces, I was met with the crowd of gathering students circling us.

Sullivan cackled a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, deadpanning, "she's my friend and if you haven't taken a good look around, you have a reputation."

Holy fuck, Sullivan, you can take me now. Okay, bad timing...

"Aww, thank you for making sure my reputation is protected," Victor teased.

"Vislocky! Corbett!" Coach Candrall called from the opposing side of the gym. "Two extra laps for you both. Everyone, go to the volleyball net and form your teams," she declared, jabbing a finger towards the nets.

"What the hell is happening?" Kayla mumbled, her eyes wide with fear as the two guys groaned in protest before jogging forward and away from the group. "Were two of the hottest guys just fighting over you?"

I snickered a laugh. "Did you just admit to Sullivan being hot?"

"Shut up."

"Y'know, my whole relationship with Victor is fake and he didn't know we were dating till yesterday," I admitted lowly. "Believe me, I don't see him like that."

She scoffed as we made our way with Penelope to a singular volleyball net. Penny had been bouncing the ball up into the air using her forearms and I bet there was a technical name for that move. However, my dumbass could never memorize anything related to the field of athleticism.

As the background music began and the two guys finished their laps, Victor stumbled towards me, his breathing normal and similar to Sullivan who walked over to Kayla.

Penny called from over the opposite side of the net. "Sorry, Boys. We only need one more player--"

Sullivan went to approach, but Victor had latched onto my wrist and yanked me in the direction of the opposite side of the net, beckoning Penny to go to the other. I barely noticed that all the while Victor walked me away from my crush, he was sharing intense eye contact.

Fuck, he looks hot. I'm turned on... not by Sullvan... wait...

My eyes widened at my thought process. That didn't seem right even for me.

"Victor," I started, watching the fleeting second of him turning away from my crush. "This was the perfect opportunity for my crush and I to be together," I whispered sharply. My wrist began to flush with a warmth I hadn't recognized the longer that his grip tightened.

"I don't want him to be with you only to get back at me. If he wants you, he'll come and get you." Victor's eyes followed as Sullivan backed down and retreated to another volleyball net in need of a player. "And the wimp backed down."

Penny hollered, "ready, I'm serving!" She backed away towards the ending line, throwing the volleyball up into the air and smacking her palm against the surface, seeing it soar before landing atop Victor's palm, shooting the ball right back.

It was seconds of intensity where it went from Kayla back to Victor, back to Penny, but the second that it came to me, I swung my fist and only hit air.

"That's alright!" Kayla sympathised. "You got this!"

Sullivan stood on the sidelines of the game over and announced, "I can teach you, Riyah."

"No, Rye's got this," Victor muttered tightly, his eyes narrowed on me. I jogged lightly to the corner of the gymnasium. I could sense their eyes impatiently on me while I neared the spot to serve. I quickly glanced at Victor who started to walk towards me.

"I got this!" I protested, but before I could do anything, his hand slipped to my lower back, sliding the shirt up and touching against my exposed skin. He leaned into my mouth and pecked my lips with a warm entwinement, catching my bottom lip before releasing it.

"I know you do." He inched away and then mocked, "Princess."

My breathing got lynched and I momentarily froze. The faint taste of peppermint rested on my tongue and I stumbled away from him in shock. "Don't call me princess," I said again, throwing the ball up and slapping it to Kayla's court, but she didn't hit it back. She let it bounce consecutively atop the gymnasium two times with one resounding echo each.

Shit.

♡♡♡

"So... that didn't go as planned," Jay muttered, stirring his drink.

"Damn, straight," I argued, playing with my fries. "And now, tomorrow, I have to face them all over again."

Kayla sighed and when I glanced over, I expected her to avoid me, but instead, she raised her head and asked, "Why?"

My lips formed a pout. "I know it looks bad--"

"Looks bad?" Kayla rebuked, leaning forward in the red cushioned diner booth. "I watched my best friend's first kiss with my crush--"

"Okay," I empathized. "That was hardly a kiss. Our lips barely touched and it most definitely wasn't a makeout."

Jay noted abruptly, "my first kiss was with Olivia Marshall in the sixth grade during a spin the bottle game." He twisted the thin red straw between his fingers absently, not quite certain where his statement fell into the conversation, possibly saying that first kisses don't matter.

I know mine didn't.

Kayla ran a hand through her blonde curls, agitated. "You have to stop seeing him--"

"What?"

"Or at least break up with him!" She exhaled, picking up a fry and chewing on it spitefully. "Nothing good can come from this."

I wanted to agree but my phone buzzed in my pocket. I squinted my eyes at the granite counter before sliding the device out, seeing the text message from none other than Victor displayed across the screen.

Victor |

5:22 PM

this weekend youre mine.

| (Me)

5:22 PM

Not the time!! Wait... what are

you talking about??

Victor |

5:24 PM

do you ever listen to me? my grandmother?

the one who lives in Montana

The second that the texts transpired to my visual, I hurriedly tried to formulate a response, but I didn't know one myself. I couldn't exactly tell my mom I was leaving the state with Victor Vislocky, but when Kayla waved a hand in front of me expectantly, I stuffed the phone in my pocket, leaving him on 'read'.

"Lemme guess..." she started. "Your boyfriend?"

As I attempted hiding my phone, Jay threw his hand to my jean pocket and grabbed it despite my endless protests and refutes. My heart was racing as he scanned the screen that blatantly showed the most recent Vislocky message on 'read'.

"Nope," Jay mumbled. "Her mom."

I nodded, swallowing thickly and taking the phone with a minor exchange of thankfulness that went unnoticed by Kayla. Speaking of my mom, I knew I should've called her.

"I have to go," I mumbled, slipping out of the booth and passing by the aisle. I quickly left without any other exchange, driving open the glass doors and stepping into the December chill. After the phone rang a few times, it silenced.

"Hey, Sweetie. How's the diner?"

"Can I go away this weekend with Jay?" I wondered, my voice steadying. My labored breathing grew heavier in my throat, but hitched the second that I heard her hesitance.

"What do you mean? Is everything okay?" she asked again, her tone a bit unsettled.

"Yeah," I murmured. "All is good... but I was planning on spending a few nights with him. Kayla can't stay completely, but she'll be there, so will this girl Penny. Movie night... y'know?" My voice spiked in pitch and I could feel the vibration from presumably another text message.

"Of course, just keep me updated."

"Always."

After one last goodbye, I answered Victor's somewhat nervous texts, and locked my phone, alongside my lies.... My first ever big lie to my mom. Even if Victor never gets me with my crush, he'd taught me something... whatever that something may be, it certainly wasn't for the better.

x