26 | 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ

"I haven't seen Kayla around in a while, is she alright?" my mom inquired, crouched to level with the chicken nesting boxes. She raised her heavy head, revealing beads of sweat and her inflamed cheeks.

"Yeah... you could say that, she's good," I curtly replied, my arms growing sore from the same up-and-down motion. I continuously sanded one of the beams of wood as she repeatedly smacked a hammer to a nail head, stabilizing one of the perches inside of the shed. The doors were held open by two bricks on either side, and the cold stagnant air filled my lungs during each much-needed inhale.

"Did something happen between you two?" she wondered, beginning to lower the hammer and straighten her legs. She swiped her long sleeve clad arm across her forehead with a heaved sigh of exhaustion. "You can talk to me--"

Usually those statements are dismissed with a curt 'I'm fine' but something impulsively told me to just say, "you knew that Kayla had been with my crush."

My mom's face softened and her eyes went to the wooden flooring before coming back up to meet mine. "Did Kayla say that? I was afraid she would."

"Who else knew?" I rebuked.

"I made her tell her parents." My mom paused. She brought her water bottle to her lips and guzzled. "Rhy, I'd like to think that you know how lucky you are to have people to talk to. Kayla did something that even I was surprised about, but she was nervous and needed to talk to someone about it. What do you think we were doing? Gossiping behind your back maliciously?"

Something in her voice was pain and her eyes appeared more devastated than what I anticipated when urging this conversation forward. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about it myself, but first I needed to convince Kayla to talk to her parents--"

"What are you talking about?" I questioned with irritation.

My mom quirked a brow. "You are aware that Kayla might be pregnant, right?"

Hold up. Ow, my heart hurts; like pained. Am I getting watery eyes from shock? I can't feel my body. My hands are cold, clammy. Everything is blurry, and fuck. That changes things...

♡♡♡

When my eyes fluttered open, the bright florence of the living room greeted me abruptly in return. My head was soaked with cold water flooding down the side of my face and my back was once again; throbbing.

"What the heavens happened?" I grumbled, yelping in pain at the feeling of my pulsing headache.

"You fainted," my mom muttered, removing a cold compress on my head. "You hit your head and I put an icepack on you." She dried the side of my face with a towel "How are you feeling?" She sat on the coffee table before the sofa.

I sat upright with a few groans and her distant "be careful" in my ears. I threw my legs unsteadily over the edge of the cushion, gazing down at the carpet to see Moose trying to look at me, though only one eye shot to me before he drooled a string of saliva on his paw. Jessica tilted her head. "Do you need any water? Food?"

I shrugged lightly. "Water would be nice," I told her.

"Can you go get her water?" she called towards the kitchen which caused my eyes to narrow. I felt my soul leave my body as I heard the fridge open and close, knowing well-enough that it was just my mom and me before I fainted. My breath became slightly quicker than abnormal and not even a second later, Mikayla Ashby appeared in the doorway, and right behind her, Sullivan Corbett.

What the fuck?

Oh, no. I'm dizzy again.

♡♡♡

"Sweetie!" My mom frantically was at my side again and this time, I wasn't basking in the warmth of the sofa, but the cold, hardwood flooring disguised by a thin cotton rug.

I groaned an incoherent reply and sure as hell, there he was, hovering over me with Kayla and my mom. Sullivan chuckled to himself as he said, "guess I made you faint."

Oh, you have no idea.

I snapped upright and could feel Kayla behind me, possibly holding out the water bottle, but I didn't want it. I wanted nothing to do with her. My mom placed a warm hand on my shoulder, but I shuffled away. "Maybe we should go see a doctor."

"Or a hitman," I added under my breath, luckily going unheard.

My mom helped me up and when Kayla offered, I ignored her. When I sat on the couch, I reluctantly took the bottle and nursed it blankly. When I met my mom's eyes, I asked the most-needed question, "why are they here?"

"I couldn't carry you from the shed to the house, I'm sorry--"

"I'm not that heavy that it takes two people, Mom!" I raised my tone, getting irritated with the fact that they were here, not to mention my body felt like it was a sore wound, continuously getting punctured or prodded at.

"Actually, you are pretty heavy," Sullivan admitted, but at seeing my mom's glare, he corrected, "for an average, decently sized person as yourself."

"Just stop," I mumbled, cupping my forehead and squeezing the pressure points. "And what is she doing here?"

Without any question, Kayla seated herself on the empty cushion beside me wearing her cream, pink, loose fitted shirt and black jeans. "We were at the drugstore." She pursed her lips, knowing that my wincing reaction was a sign of distaste. "I don't like Sullivan in that way."

Sullivan implored inquisitively, "in what way?"

I pivoted towards her. "You don't get to speak now." I sat straight ahead and saw my mom sitting on the coffee table uncomfortably. "Just... go," I directed towards Kayla.

"You know what!" Kayla leapt from the couch and yelled, "if you think I fucked things up enough, then I might as well add, Azariah has a big fat crush on you!" Kayla stormed towards the door as I felt everything crumble. "I tried apologizing and making things right."

I couldn't look him in the face, my eyes were tearing and I couldn't control it when I sprung from the cushion and deadpanned, "You---" I stammered on words, shaking my head while her face of disappointment transformed. "You---something!"

My limbs were weightless and every breath suffocated me. I kept inhaling Sullivan's headache-inducing cologne. I heard the coffee table creek behind men and I spun to see my mom walking towards Moose, picking him up like a football.

"I think you have to go potty!" she beamed, exiting the living room.

His voice spoke soft and timorously. "You have a crush on me?" His eyes were blank and he felt to be closer than before.

I bowed my head. "Maybe? I'm sorry."

He chuckled. "No, I think it's cute," he said, glancing towards the kitchen and saying off-topic, "I think the chicken coop is looking good, Moose seemed to enjoy it."

"Do you like me back?"

"I mean, no, Riyah. I wish I could," he uttered with minimal sympathy. "I barely know you, and you barely know me. I'm genuinely curious, what do you have a crush on?"

Victor tried preparing me for that question and though I didn't want to say the things his Grandma would on his birthday, I kept my own and honestly said, "I don't know. I just do. I want to get to know you better." I shrugged at the end as if to brush it all off, but the attention was deviated from me when I heard the sharp tone from Kayla.

"She's obsessed with you, Sullivan! I would know--"

"I think that's adorable you like me like that," Sullivan voiced with a lopsided grin. "How about this, we go on a date Friday night and I pick up at six?" he suggested and my eyes widened two times the size.

I must be in a coma. I must've never woken up after I fainted and this had to have been a dream.

"Yes! Obviously! Who do you think I am? I've been waiting--" I burst out, then composed myself with curt coughs. "Sorry, autocorrect. I think I could make that work." I wince at my words, and incorrect usage of them.

"Alright, I'll see you then!" Sullivan laughed, giving me a leisure look down as my mom came walking into the room.

She announced unexpectedly, "I think Moose is constipated." Her eyes flashed from Sullivan to Kayla, back to me as she slowly backed out of the living room. "Sorry, I thought they left."

Kayla rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, turns out I'm not pregnant, in case you were wondering."

"Goodbye, Kayla," was all I responded with as I watched the two walk out, though it was blatant in her eyes, how much she wanted to apologize, but I only cheekily smiled as they left.

♡♡♡

The world is colorful, and bright; and happy! I twirled in endless circles, spinning with my dress skirt extending off my body as I floated down the street. I threw my hands up and danced every-which-way, because I was going on a date with Sullivan Corbett. I could feel the sun rays warm against my skin as my boots crunched the slushy snow on the pavement.

"I think a demon has been released from you," Jay made note of, glancing towards the curb as Moose hurriedly patted his paws against the sidewalk in a good attempt at keeping up with Keiona, Jay, and I.

"Girl, I am proud of you," Keiona assured me, her nod appreciable. "I think you are being yourself and getting the man you want by grabbing him by the horns and rearing him your way," she described with a grateful smile.

Jay interjected, "are you kidding? This girl has been far from herself."

"That is not true," I interrupted, stopping ahead of them, my skirt skimming against my thigh. "I was myself when I agreed with Kayla that I liked him."

"Is it official, now?" Jay wondered, his eyes down on the dog. When I looked towards him with puzzlement, he added, "you and Kayla aren't talking anymore?"

"Yep, basically," I said without attachment to the issue at hand. I tried to pretend I didn't see the exchange of awkward emotion and expression between Jay and Keiona.

"Where are you going on that date of yours?" she questioned my way, seeing my somber shrug. To be honest, I didn't think about it. Where we were going was the least of my priorities. All that mattered was that he wanted to see me as more than a friend, and that alone, could make a girl melt.

"I don't know yet. Sullivan texted me and told me he'll tell me when he decides. I don't know what to wear or... what to shave--"

"Enough of that," Jay cut in.

"You've had sex," I stated, gesturing to the both of them. "What was it like?"

Keiona thought hard, then mentioned, "it was awkward, and his parents were home, and there were a lot of things moving and none of it made sense--"

"Okay..." Jay smoothed over as Moose curled his body in preparation to go number two. "Listen, Riyah, maybe just focus on your kissing skill before you jump straight to the circle of life?" he pondered aloud, scratching his head then swatting a nonexistent hallucination, wincing as if he were trying to ignore a fourth party's voice.

"It's just... First kiss, tongue or no tongue?" I asked, validating my question knowing that if I was going on a date with Sullivan, I had to be bold like Victor said.

"I think I agree with your mom," Keiona mused matter-of-factly. My eyes enlarged at the thought of my mom with the question, but she reminded, "I think Moose is constipated."

Moose straightened out, not having gone number two as we continued along the white, gray slush dampening the sidewalk. I silently walked when Jay declared, "don't do tongue unless he brings that to the table."

"He thinks I'm inexperienced," I grumbled under my breath.

"Well..." Keiona's voice raised in pitch. "Aren't you?"

My heart stopped. I shouldn't be. I shouldn't be inexperienced. But I was...

Jay shook his head, interrupting my thoughts. "The whole school now thinks she's dating--slash--friends with benefits, with the high school's sex addict," he voiced, sighing tiredly after.

Keiona pursed her lips. "Oh, no... Riyah!" She reached over and snatched my wrist quickly, turning me around in one fluid motion. "He thinks you're experienced now!"

"So?" I pressed.

"When did he start liking you?"

I thought hard, shrugging and saying, "when Victor started giving me advice."

"Or..." Keiona's voice trailed. "When you started hanging out with him?"

"So?" I interrogated again, becoming easily more irritated than the first time I was confused with her and what she was getting at.

"Sullivan might be using you for...." She huffed exhaustingly. "Pleasure."

I snorted a laugh, writhing my hand free. "As if!"

In words of Cher.

I hurried forward and crossed my arms. "For your information," I began with a pointed finger at her. "You have never even met Sullivan and you don't know that for certain just because it's many coincidences!" I rambled, shrieking in disgust and marching further from the two of them.

"Uhh--" Jay called, "you forgot your dog!"

I pivoted on my heel, gently squirming the leash out of Jay's hand and giving a curt nod to them. "If you don't mind me, I have highly important things to be doing right now," I assured, marching off without a word.

Moose tried to keep up, but it wasn't long till I arrived where I needed to be. Keiona was right. I had no idea Sullivan's intentions, but what I did know is that he would want to be with my experienced self and though I wasn't equipped, I had just the solution.

My fist rapidly and consecutively knocked against the surface a few times. Moose stared up at me as the brisk air curled around the white porch beams. I shivered in reaction and even Moose's legs quivered. The door swung inwards and my instant reaction got the best of me. The second that I saw him appear I sprung forward and planted my lips on his.

Fuck.

"Okay, Tiger," Victor mused, chuckling lowly to himself. "Need to get something off your chest?"

I backed away, rolling my eyes, cheeks slightly tinted. "My ex best friend had a pregnancy scare with my crush so I fainted in a chicken coop, my mom called Sullivan who carried me to the couch, I fainted again and then Sullivan asked me on a date."

Victor wrinkled a brow. "Then you realized you had feelings for me all along and you're here to grant me my long awaited prize for putting up with your insanity?" he asked for validation.

"In your dreams, Vicky." I went to open my mouth to speak, but a girl walked out of his bedroom.

"Are you serious, right now?" she implored, scoffing before walking out of the house, giving a menacing glare to Moose as she left.

"That's another question I have." Victor pointed to the dog, looking back up at me. I sealed the door closed after Moose waddled in, unleashing him and positioning the collar by the door. "Why'd you kiss me?"

"Am I interrupting something?" I wondered, motioning to the girl who'd just left.

"No, I'm more invested in this," he jested, laughing softly as Moose found a comfy spot on the rug and laid down.

I sighed heavily, preparing my words carefully. "I need you to make-out with me and I mean it. Sullivan thinks I'm experienced and I need you to just... go at it--"

"As much as I would love to just pounce on ya," Victor joked softly, "I do not want to take something like that because you need practice--"

"Not sex! Don't be silly," I voiced. "I just need you to make-out with me so it seems like I've kissed before. Please, Vicky!" I begged, seemingly making him think about it. He looked at me, studying each detail in my eyes before pursing his lips. After a few moments of silence, I deadpanned, "come at me!"

"Okay, let's not do that..." he started, bringing himself closer. "Azariah? Just like this?"

"Just like this." I hesitated. "If you don't do something, I will."

He stifled a laugh, scraping a hand through his hair. "I know, you kind of revealed that earlier when you jumped me."

I could feel his body heat growing stronger and possessing me to lean a tad bit closer to his torso, sporting a blank tank which generously amplified his muscular build. He tilted his chin down for me, his hand sliding around towards my lower back and positioning at the bottom of my spine. His breath crept into my mouth hotly and I could faintly taste.... fuck.

I leapt out of his grasp. "Enough of that!" I exclaimed, surrendering my hands and dusting off my jeans.

"If you can't even get past this, how on Earth are you supposed to--"

"It's not that." My chest contracted tightly. "Your breath..."

"Yeah?" he pressed. "What about it?"

"Smells like Prosperous Peach, a striking Fuchsia and citrusy baby pink lipstick that Kayla and I are obsessed with." I sigh sadly. "You were just making out with that girl."

Not to mention the conversation of Kayla and I, but I was just about to actually kiss Victor Vislocky.

Victor nodded, heading towards the counters. "For a second I almost believed that you were going to do it."

Me too.

I rolled my eyes, progressively entering the kitchen behind him. "Victor, I do need you to kiss me one day," I stated towards him. "You also smell like pizza grease." Which was true, it was sharp in my nose with a faint chicken and onion on his shirt.

"Yeah, I got a job," he brushed off. "Want a glass of water?"

"No, I'm good." I bit my lip subtly as he fixed his gray sweatpants and continued to the cabinet for a glass, pouring himself some water.

"I would be honored, Azariah Kellman," he assured, sipping from the chilled water. He situated it on the counter and my mind... my mind went places. I wished that I could've said yes and for him to just go at it. Though that might not be correct terminology, I had this burning desire to feel how he would feel up against me, and that alone gave me enough reason to walk towards him and say, "one kiss with Prosperous Peach shouldn't be that bad, right?" I asked meekly.

He spun on his heel and in one fluid motion carried my body off the floor and sat me on the marble counter, shoving himself in-between my legs. A flutter of butterflies scattered up my throat as a warmth interchanged between us.

I gulped.

He leaned in towards my mouth, leveled with me as he approached. I quickly reclined my body back and interrogated, "am I heavy? Like--hard to carry?"

"No?" Victor inched away from me with a faint disappointment. "Sullivan didn't say anything, did he?"

My breath hitched and that might've been because the palm of his hand impressed on my thigh. I stuttered helplessly, my cheeks dotting pink. "Why--uh--why would you accuse Sullivan?"

"Him and I are the only people you ever listen to, think I haven't caught onto that by now? Did he say anything about your weight or not?" Something about his voice filled with endangerment and a variety of 'Beware Signs.' I was intrigued, nonetheless.

I shook my head and he nodded before driving himself closer to my neck, his warm breath fanned along my skin and pricked the hairs up on my neck. The sweltering taint to his exhale caused a million nerves to fire up and dance to their own dance.

I whispered sharply. "I said teach me how to kiss, not do whatever you're doing right now!" I freaked out, the spot where his hand was grew increasingly warm with... anticipation.

Fuck! Turn off, turn this off.

He pressed open-mouthed kisses to my neck, my breath responded strangely to the sensation of warmth as his tongue ran over a spot on my neck that transpired a noise up my throat. A noice that I sure as hell didn't know I could make. A rosy blush flared up my collarbone to my cheeks and the tip of my nose as he continuously circled his tongue over the same spot, sucking the skin towards him. He pulled back, planting two consecutive kisses up to my jaw and I winced at the foreign feeling.

He retreated momentarily to look up at me through his lashes. "Want me to kiss you?" he entreated.

I hesitated and he swiftly parted from me, raising his hand to my shoulder and drawing his thumb over the newly formed purplish bruise, causing a rippling shiver to coarse through my slightly shocked state. "I would cover this up before you go on your date with Corbett Friday, Princess," he mocked.

x