🎨 Skai's Pov 🎨
I stare back at him, utterly dumbstruck. I'm quite sure I must have heard wrong. What could he possibly want from me? I couldn't think of one possible thing I possessed that he would need.
All traces of the sadness Amber and her bitchy, wicked comments imprinted on me momentarily have evaporated as I desperately ponder his question.
"You there?" He waves a hand in front of my face.
I quickly snap out of it only to notice that people still lingered in the hallway. Hovering nearby and whispering as they looked over at us. No doubt watching to know what their golden boy could possibly want with their favorite school outcast.
He notices it at the same time I do "Uhm, excuse you?"
That's all he has to say to send them scampering away. The previously hushed hallway now echoing with sounds of slamming lockers, hurrying footsteps and hasty goodbyes.
I blink, slightly awed at the kind of authority he wields. And for just a second, I imagine having it too. The kind of power that made people revere and not hate you so much they'd rather stab their own foot than sit with you at lunch.
However, the thought is so alien, so impossible, I immediately dismiss it.
He turns back to me as quickly as he looked away "You still haven't said anything"
I nod automatically. To what, I'm not sure "See, I need you to say something"
Ok, at this point, he's just throwing that word around anyhow "Well, I don't have to do whatever you want"
A grin forms on his face and I realize, much to my horror, that I did just do what he wanted.
I fold my hands to make my point but knowing he's doesn't look like he's going to leave without an answer, I scramble for words and say the first thing I think of "Are you sure that you're not mistaking me for someone else?"
I'm aware the question is somewhat ridiculous since he did just say my name but I need the clarity. For all I know, there's another Skai Martin around. Someone who actually has a reason to talk to him.
The more I think of it, the more I'm certain he's mistaken. Especially since he and I were two parallels. We had no business crossing each other's path.
I also imagine how embarrassing it would be if I think it's me only for it to end up being someone else. I'm already being mocked by half my grade. I'd hate to have him single me out just to end up mocking me also.
He lets out a quiet laugh, like my confusion amuses him "I am definitely not mistaking you for someone else, Skai Martin"
The way he said my name makes me pause. Like he was so familiar with it, with me, that it took no effort. Like he's said it before. Over and over.
But then there's the way he emphasized you that has me bristling. Wondering if he meant it as an insult or a compliment. The latter is highly unlikely so I go with the former.
"What do you want?" I bristle, any admiration I earlier felt for him wiped out of my system. He was no different from the others after all.
He raises his hands in mock surrender, obviously noting the shift in my tone "I just really need to talk to you"
There it was again. The urgency in his voice. Like this conversation really mattered to him. Which only makes me more confused.
"We are talking" He winces at that and I realize I might be making this harder than it needs to be. So I sigh and relent "One hour"
His smile stretches wide "That's more than enough"
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥
We agree to meet at a café of my choosing later that day. Since he needed a moment to go freshen up after his game. It was only then that I did notice the sheet of sweat on his skin and the way his jersey clung to his chest and torso.
Exhaling a relieved breath, I go in search of the boy who has my whole heart with no single clue about it.
The school grounds are nearly deserted, with only a few people lounging around as I make my way to the parking lot.
I spot him soon enough. Leaning against his car wearing a slight grin on his face as some leggy brunette talked to him, trailing her finger on his arm at intervals.
A bitter mixture of envy and jealousy roils in my stomach and I do my best to dissipate it.
He notices me as I approach and after a final exchange with the brunette who he leans down to kiss so she leaves, he waves me over.
"Who's she?" I inject as much indifference as I can into the question as I swing open his passenger seat and slide in.
He climbs in beside me "No idea" He winks and my stupid heart does a happy dance despite what I just witnessed.
A very irritated grunt leaves my lips "That's disgusting Ryan" He laughs in response, driving out of the lot.
"Oh, there's somewhere I'd like you to drop me off" I suddenly remember, shoving all thoughts of him kissing me instead away.
"The art studio?"
"No" I reply " Not there"
I feel his questioning gaze on me " That cafe at the u-turn" I supply.
Usually, he'd drop me off at home or the studio where I'd practice my drawing for a few hours before picking up my younger brother from his sitter. I'd then prep for dinner and await my parents' return. Ma usually with a box of sweets.
That woman has a worse sweet tooth than anyone I know.
But now I was messing up my schedule for Nathan Hayes and I could only hope whatever he has to say was worth it.
"Anything I should know about?" He asks, his tone still curious. I shake my head and he shrugs "Just be careful"
I don't tell him anything about unexpected rendezvous partly because I don't think it's anything important but also because I don't want him thinking something's going on between Nathan and I.
It's pathetic that I think that a guy who has never shown any romantic interest in me whatsoever would suddenly be jealous because I was hanging out with another guy. I know.
♥~♥~♥~♥~♥
The little bell above the café door rings as I enter. I scan for anyone in basketball gear but all I see is Nathan, relaxed in a booth near the far end, his eyes already on me.
He's changed from his playwear and is now in a plain white shirt and joggers. His hair looks damp, probably from a recent shower and curls tighter than before.
Now I feel somewhat dirty for showing up still in my uniform. Which is kind of silly because we never discussed a time.
I slide into the booth across him and he smiles " You came"
"Said I would. Didn't I?" He smells like a combination of eucalyptus, mint and sea salt and I can't help greedily inhaling.
He nods slowly in agreement and I watch the way a water droplet disappears into his shirt collar "Want anything?"
Once again, I'm unsure if he's making fun of me or actually being nice to me. But this time I don't bother and go straight to the point "No, thank you" I decline curtly "What is it you want?"
He doesn't seem put off by my guarded demeanor "There's no easy way
to say this"
"Try me"
He exhales slowly, like he's about to jump off a ledge.
"I want you to be my girlfriend"