"The bastard says he wants to meet me tonight." said Axky irritably turning up for breakfast. "Made me chase after him for week and now he calls me to talk privately over dinner on a Friday night. All I wanted was to tell him he sucks as an owner to Walt Games. I never asked for a fucking date!"
"It's alright honey," said Paula bracingly. "At least he's finally agreed to meet you."
Vicky nodded sympathetically as she bit into her toast. Gavin Walters was a rather slippery man to get an audience with. The British government had been chasing him for years, but he was always too busy to meet the Prime Minister. Vicky had to wonder what it was that Gavin did for a living that made him so important. Sure he was some kind of a genius who owned Walt Games, she knew that he'd produced several smash hit video-game inspired films, and owned the Walt Amusement parks all over the world.
Okay so this guy was loaded. But this didn't explain why he kept running from meetings with the government and with her dad for that matter. Was he really so busy?
Maybe he had a jam packed schedule, Vicky could believe that...if she found a bit of proof perhaps?
She stuffed the remainder of her toast in her mouth and got up from the table.
"Uncle Jack is taking us to school today, I'll wait by the door." she said.
"Sure honey, don't forget your lunch." said Paula handing Vicky an enormous paper bag.
"Um Mom, don't you think there's too much food in here?" asked Vicky slouching under the sheer weight of the bag.
"Nonsense, a growing girl like you needs her nourishment." said Paula firmly.
Axky laughed. "Hey don't worry Princess your old man is always there to finish off any leftovers."
Vicky smiled. She loved her parents. How lucky she was to have stumbled upon them in her life. But much more than that how lucky she was that they'd wanted her.
She stepped out of the door, gently closing it behind her as her eyes adjusted to the brightness outside. The sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be a splendid day.
Maybe she and Levi could plan something for the afternoon. With a sudden lurch in her stomach she realized that she missed him. He'd been really busy with work yesterday and hadn't found time to call. He was probably running late this morning too.
She was glad the summer holidays were coming soon, that way with the Spanish project as an excuse they would have an entire two months completely to themselves. Vicky's eyes glazed over as her little romantic heart conjured up pretty images of love struck dates.
Hey wait. Love struck?
Love?
Did she love Levi?
Despite it being a simple question, she found herself without an immediate answer.
Just then a bike rolled up by the driveway, and Uncle Jack took off his helmet to smile at her.
"Hey Vicky," he said merrily. "Hop on."
"Good morning Uncle Jack." said Vicky hurrying along to climb over the motorbike seat. It was a good thing she wore her jeans today. "Where are the twins?"
"You mean the devil's reincarnation?" scoffed Jack handing her a spare black helmet. "They accidentally put a liberal amount of authentic Assamese red chilli powder---the hottest kind in the world---into our fruit juices this morning. "
He revved up the Harley Davidson, reveling at the hum of the beloved engine as he continued. "Now fortunately Brielle and I wanted coffee so we didn't drink the juice and kept it inside the fridge for later. Our young heroes thought we'd drunk it all and maybe the chilli's weren't hot enough and that's why we weren't screaming bloody murder yet. So they ate a tablespoon of the stuff themselves to check if the chili was really hot or the label was only a bluff."
Vicky almost fell over in shock. "They tasted that stuff? On their bare tongues?"
"Yes and now Brielle is with them as they drink tubs of milk. Let me tell you, they'll be feeling the burn soon enough."
"Poor kids. They're usually smarter than this." said Vicky shaking her now helmeted head.
"Hope they learn their lesson." said Jack with a laugh. "So Vicky how's school going? Any guys hitting on you that I need to disembowel?"
Vicky laughed nervously. "No Uncle Jack no disemboweling needed."
"You know Vicky we're always going to be overprotective of you. That doesn't mean you should live so carefully you don't live at all." said Jack as he swerved to a halt by the school gate.
Vicky hopped down as Jack gave her a curt nod. "See ya Vicky." he said as he backed away and drove off.
"Bye." said Vicky as she turned to see her two very stunned friends.
Traci had her jaw hanging open and David looked like he'd been punched in the face.
"Who who was that hottie?" Traci finally spluttered out.
"Oh the guy who dropped me?" said Vicky with a laugh. "That's just my Uncle Jack."
"Is he your sugar daddy?" asked David as Traci aimed a kick at his shin. "Ouch! What was that for!" he exclaimed as he clutched his throbbing leg.
"That was a very inappropriate question to ask Vicky." scolded Traci. "You know how shy she is around guys...but then again she is dating Levi so maybe she isn't so shy after all..."
Vicky sighed. Was she going to have to explain to her new friends her long courtship of Levi spanning over six years? Levi had been understanding but what if Traci and David thought she was creepy and alienated her? Well she wasn't denying that she'd been almost an obsessive stalker but she really meant no harm and if Levi had said no, she would have backed off immediately. So she was an ethical stalker. But honestly was there even such a thing?
Knights in shining armour had a tendency to show up when they were needed. And they appeared once again, just in time.
Vicky felt a warm presence behind her and turned to see a very sleepy eyed, tousled haired Levi. If this is how he looked when he just got out of bed...Vicky breathed in deeply. Her out of control teenage hormones were threatening to make her french kiss him right then and there.
"'Morning." he said planting a chaste kiss on Vicky's forehead. She tried to hide her disappointment. She was probably successful because Levi didn't notice as he turned to Traci and David and nodded. "Hey ready for today's Maths test?"
"Yeah." said David effortlessly giving his silver nose ring an uneccessary flip.
"I stayed up all night studying for it." said Traci sorrowfully. "I missed the latest episode of Riverdale for this stupid test. I sure hope I pass."
Vicky's eyes darted up in surprise. "What Maths test?" she asked frantically. "There's no math test today, right? Right?"
Levi, David and Traci shook there heads sympathetically.
Vicky had never failed in any subject before. Vicky had never been called for summer remedial classes. Vicky had never been ashamed of her grades. Well all that was about to change.
"Shit." she said face palming. "I can't believe I forgot."
"It happens to the best of us." said David slinging the bag over his shoulder and walking off. "Catch you later."
"Don't listen to him Vicky. Tests are easy for him, since he's this genius kid and all." said Traci placatingly. "Look, we don't have the test until after lunch break. There's plenty of time for you to learn enough to pass."
"But how Traci?" asked Vicky feeling hopeless. "We have two periods of biology now. I can't miss those!"
"You don't have to." said Levi suddenly. He'd been silent throughout the exchange. "I'll be your partner for today's experiment and while we're cutting hibiscus flowers and watching slides of amoeba I'll explain to you enough math concepts to pass. Then at lunch maybe we can solve some examples."
"You'd do that?" asked Vicky feeling like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"Of course." said Levi looking surprised. "I'd do anything for you."
Traci clutched her hands near her heart. "So adorable." When both of them turned to look at her she added, "When all this is over you will both explain to me how you came to be dating, right?"
"Sure!" said Levi enthusiastically. "Now let's head to class."
A/N : So Levi has a plan. But will things go as smoothly as Vicky expects them to be?
How do you think Traci will react when she learns the truth?
I'm sorry for disappearing you guys! I quit my job last week, and now have some time in my hands. Overwork is a terrible thing. Hope you guys keep a good balance of work and rest. Take care of yourselves, your body is the only one you have :)
Lots of love,
Andy
P.S.Thanks for reading! Do tune in for the next update tomorrow :)