Vicky was very glad when the bell rang. The day had been all but a roller coaster ride for her. She wanted nothing more than to get out of the gymnasium, snatch her stuff from the locker and simply disappear.
She hurried up the stairs and ran to her locker. She wanted to leave before Levi showed up again. Vicky suddenly felt very stupid to have told Samthon so much about how she felt towards Levi. He would wonder why she felt that way, and would definitely be curious. God forbid he tell Levi what she said. But then again, what if he already had? Now would be a really good time for the earth to split open and swallow her up.
But as luck would have it, just as she was turning the key, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Hey Vicky."
She didn't need to turn to know that it was Levi, in all his loose tank top, muscular chested glory.
She still turned despite her better judgement and instantly felt her breath hitch.
A sweaty, messy haired Levi, tall and rocking a pair of shorts, was staring into her eyes.
"Vicky?" he said, sounding a bit confused, but she didn't really notice. Her mind was focused on the fact that the person she'd always liked, a very handsome, unfairly sexy human was calling out her name.
The stuff wet dreams were made of...not that she had wet dreams...not that it was bad or anything ... just that she would ever tell anyone if she did...
Damn it. Why didn't the frigging day just end already?
"You okay?" he asked waving a hand in front of her face. "Hello?"
She snapped out of her daze. "What?" she said trying not to look at his lips. So very kissable.
"I wanted to know where you live." he said casually stuffing his sports gear into his locker.
"What?" she repeated. Was she hearing him correctly? Oh he has perfect dimples,when he smiles.
I think I need help.
"Um, are you sure you're okay?" he said shutting his locker and looking slightly concerned as he faced her. "You seem a bit slow."
That fixed her real quick.
"I am not slow." she snapped.
"Wow." he said letting out a slow whistle. "So wanna tell me your address so I can go apologize to your Dad?"
"What?" she said helplessly.
"There we go again." said Levi with a laugh. "It's okay though. Just tell your old man I said I was sorry. If he comes to drop you to school tomorrow, I'll apologize properly."
"You want to apologize to my Dad?" she said frowning. Levi didn't seem like he repented anything.
"Yes." he said scratching the back of his neck looking away from her.
"Samthon forced you, to didn't he?" she said finally understanding.
"Maybe." he said a slight blush covering his cheeks as he looked back at her again, a somewhat sheepish smile gracing his mouth.
If there was anything better than a semi-clothed Levi after a game, it was probably a blushing semi-clothedLevi after a game.
She really wanted to tell him she liked him. Really wanted to ask him out. Really really wanted to touch the soft curl falling over his eyes.
But it was only the first day of school. He had barely spoken to her for more than a couple of days. There was no way he could like her back so soon, and if she asked him out he'd probably say no.
He licked his lips just then, frowning as he waited for her response.
Vicky realized then that she would never have the opportunity to find out what they tasted like if she rushed things.
All good things to those who wait.
"Okay." she said abruptly. "I'll tell him. I have to go now. Bye."
Then she took a military turn and literally ran down the hallway leaving Levi to stare at her wake. He didn't follow her but duly noted that..
this girl was way too interesting.
***
Vicky didn't stop running till she spotted a familiar blue Mitsubishi parked under a tree by the school gate.
Her aunt Brielle and her twin sons, Jason and Gary were already seated in the driver's and back seats respectively.
"VICKY!" yelled Gary as soon as she came close enough to hear him. "PLEASE TELL OUR MOM WE'RE SORRY! CAN WE PLEASE TAKE THE BUS HOME?"
"MOM PLEASE," wailed Jason. "WE PROMISE TO BE GOOD! JUST LET US TAKE THE BUS!"
Vicky had to laugh at that. The boys must be desperate, if they were apologizing and promising not to play any pranks. She opened the front door and took a seat beside Brielle.
"Hi everyone." she said turning to look at the twins. "How was the first day?"
Jason and Gary visibly brightened up at that. "It was the best!" said Gary with emotion. "Then again anything is better than being on this car."
"Prison is better than riding with her." said Jason with a scowl.
"People walk faster than our car." said Gary indignantly.
"I swear Mom got the accelerator rigged so it never goes over ten miles an hour." said Jason, flared up by the injustice of it all.
"Are you kidding me? We don't go a fraction more than five miles an hour." said Gary looking at his twin.
"Boys," said Brielle with a sickeningly sweet voice. "Do you want me to make this harder for you?"
Jason and Gary had the sense to look horrified at the threat.
"No Mum." they echoed.
"Good." she said. "Since Vicky is with us today, we will be going at a respectable pace."
With that the cars set off at fifteen miles an hour, taking all the meandering private lanes, just so the highway cops wouldn't catch them for going to slow.
It was a good two hours before they reached home, with Vicky surrendering to sleep and the boys protesting loudly at the back.
Vicky neck ached because of the awkward angle she'd fallen asleep in, but she forced a smile as she got out of the car.
"Thank you aunt Brielle." she said with a wave.
"Bye Vicky!" called out the twins from the back.
"Please ask aunt Paula to pick us up tomorrow." mouthed Jason as Brielled pulled the car away. "I'm begging you."
Vicky nodded as they disappeared from view.
Sighing with relief she trudged up the steps and unlocked the front door, unexpectedly glad that she had been late coming home. She was going to have to be alone till dinnertime when her mom got back.
She couldn't remember the last time her father had joined her for lunch.
It was rather lonely as she padded up to her room and undressed, used to the still silence.
She washed and put on a clean pair of pajamas and a light T-shirt before heading downstairs for a late lunch. She wasn't really hungry and it certainly wasn't appetizing to eat all by herself, but she tried to eat a little bit of onion soup and a some bread.
Maybe one day she would get over her fur allergy and get a pet. Maybe a pug or a golden retriever or a Dalmatian or an Alsatian or...
The door bell rang loudly just then, snapping her out of her reverie.
She got up quickly and looked through the peephole.
To her utter surprise, Levi was standing on her porch, hair tousled, eyes bright and clad in a black T-shirt and jeans.
She opened the door with a soft smile and was just about to ask him how he found her when...
He cupped her face with both his hands and planted a loving, gentle kiss on her forehead. His breath ghosted over her lips as he spoke.
"Vicky, you're the girl from the park." he said his breath ragged, as though he'd been running for miles.
He kissed her temple once more. "I can't believe it's you." he whispered as he pulled her in for a tight hug. "I can't believe it's you."
Her surprise fell away as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his rapidly beating heart.
"Oh Levi," she said, voice muffled against his chest. "I can't believe it's me either."
A/N: LEVI KNOWS!!!! (We'll find out how Levi knows in the next chapter)
I AM SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW!
Andy (EXCITEDLY) :They kissed! Yay! I'm awesome.
Readers (TOTALLY UNIMPRESSED): Andy, Levi kissed her forehead. Where's the hot stuff?
Andy (running off to edit the next chapter so she can publish it asap) : Coming soon!
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Thanks for reading!
lots of love,
Andy