196It's been a week since the little scene in gym class. Things were finally back to normal. Well… except for the fact that Derik quit the team and has moved me up to number one on his hit list… and it's a big list.
"Lex?" Someone says while shaking me. "Wake up!"
I swat the hand away and turn back towards the wall. This seems familiar for some reason.
"Seriously Lex it's seven twenty! I still have to run home and get the car. We're going to be late!" He demands.
Finally registering what he said, I bolt up out of bed and stumble towards the shower.
"Fine." I whine. "I'm freaking going."
This is what I mean by having my own alarm clock.
Something tells me there's going to be no such thing as breakfast this morning.
I stare hesitantly at the shower in front of me. Then back at Cole with a look of horror.
"It doesn't bite, now go." He commands. "There's a new guy transferring over from Conrad and I volunteered to show him around." He puts in; I hear him fall back onto the bed.
"Why?" I ask curiously. Cole never does anything that isn't for himself.
"He only transferred for the recommendations our school has with football. He's planning on playing and he's really fucking good. As captain… I thought it'd be right for me to play tour guide." Told you.
"Oh…" I said aloud. "Hey Cole?"
"Yeah?"
"Go get the car!" I shouted back.
"Shit." He mumbled as he jumped off the bed and headed for the back door. "On it."
Why was he such a morning person? Why was he so perfect and annoying and… popular? It made me mad just thinking about it.
I slipped out of the shower as fast as I could, just in time to hear him walk down the stairs and leap onto the couch in the lounge. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my toothbrush.
I rummage through my drawer and come out with a shirt that reads, your village called they want their idiot back, and throw it on. Then grab a pair of dark jeans again with the knees a little faded, next are some black and white striped socks and my converse.
I grab my jacket on the way out and zip it up.
"Let's get to school before we miss your lover." I tell him sternly. "I know how you feel about first impressions."
Unlike most guys he plays right along.
"Do you…" He trails off and bites his lip. "Do you really think he'll like me?" His eyes meet mine and the words, who wouldn't, pop into my head.
I shrug them off and pretend like I'm contemplating.
"I don't know, once he finds out about your attachment issues, and there's that other thing, you know?" I say sadly, playing this stupid little game we'd picked up years ago.
He shook his head earnestly.
"But you said it didn't matter. If someone really loves me they wouldn't care."
"Come on babe, of course he'd care. You're the kind of guy people only want for their bodies. It's not like you have anything else to offer." I smile.
He glares at me then gives in to a half smirk. His arm swings around my shoulders and pulls me against his side.
"You know it." He says conceitingly, and I have to elbow him before anything like anger shows up.
"That wasn't a compliment." I state.
"Sure." Cole opens my door and with a bow he registers towards the seat. "Now get in the car." He motions dramatically.
"I like when you're like this." I say honestly.
"Nice?" He questions.
"No… my slave." I shut the door.
On the drive to school we don't really say anything. At first it's because I'm trying desperately to do the homework I should have done yesterday. For Cole, it's mostly because he's talking on his phone to Ryan.
Over the weekend he'd totaled his Porsche after some party and now he needed a ride.
I looked at the clock and growled; we were not late in fact we were early. He glanced over and I pointed to the dashboard. He rolled his eyes and looked back at the road.
"I can't pick you up man… because I'm already late… Ryan don't be a bitch…" I could hear the shout after that comment. "Get Jon to take you… I don't care if he's dating your ex… you dated her in fourth grade... stop being a pansy and do it!" He retorted and clipped his phone shut.
"So…" I started looking up from my finished work to catch the look of irritation on his face. "That went well."
"I guess." Was all he said.
Just then the song Hero by Enrique Iglesias came on and I smiled evilly at him before turning it up. I can't say I love this song but hey… it was worth a try.
He looked over at me quickly and then knowing dawned on his face and he shook his head.
"Oh god." He muttered before I grabbed my pen and put a very cheesy eccentric look on my face. I made every word and every facial feature overdramatic as I stared at him blinking my eyes a million times a minute. Now for those of you wanting any farther detail into the dramatics of the Lexi-gets-Cole-out-of-his-dark-mood-by-singing-and-humilitating-herself-fiasco, reenact it. Because anything that happened between the beginning and ending of this song is not… and will never be… discussed. Ever.
I swear I only did the most embarrassing things in my life in front of him, more importantly… for him.
"Okay okay, stop!" He said. There was laughter back in his eyes and he was grinning at me. "You're such a loser."
I huffed and waved off his insult.
"I bet your lover boy would never do that for you." I said harshly.
He rolled his eyes and looked out the front window.
I just realized that we were in the school parking lot. Not only that but some guy was sitting on the school steps with a lit cigarette staring at me thoughtfully with a lopsided smirk across his face.
I wondered why for a moment but then it came to me. I had been singing to Cole like that while we were parked… and he had seen me.
"Well…" I turned to Cole and waved towards the guy with the hand that still held my pen. "I'm going to find some stairs and maybe jump now. You have fun."
He laughed.
"It's not that bad Lex. Get a grip."
"Bye now." I said in an exaggerated voice. Like I believed a word he was saying. I was going to run away no matter what he thought.‑
"Come on I'll introduce you." I shook my head but he ignored me. "And don't you even think about running."
I opened the door and back stepped onto the pavement.
"I love you Cole, I really do but…" I took off towards the schools side door and didn't look back.
"Hey Lex wait!" Like I was falling for that.
A hand snaked its way across my waist and dragged both of us to a stop. I would say that I was mad but I would have probably run into the wooden door now centimeters away from my face if it hadn't. Note to self… start slowing down before you get to the door.
Cole, with one arm effortlessly dragged me back to the stranger.
"Hey I'm Nicholas Michelson. This…" He gestured towards me casually. "Is Alexis Walker."
Oh god not only have I caused myself utter humiliation it happens to be in front of the new guy as well, oh joy.
"Nice to meet you." He said playfully, staring completely at me. "My names Dominic Lawrence, but most call me Dom."
I just had a horrible thought; what if he could actually hear me. Ryan would have a field day with that.
"Hi Dom." Cole looked patronizingly down at me.
"Yeah hi." I mumbled.
"So Dom what position where you planning on going for?" Cole asked.
I took this time to look Dom…inic over.
He had Cole's messy hair appearance. But his was longer, straighter, and black. His eyes were deep blue and he had the most kissable lips that I have ever seen. I looked up at Cole… okay… maybe not.
God there I go again.
He was wearing a dark grey shirt under and baggy camo jacket and black skinny jeans. The boy looked more a skater/rocker than football player. But I could see in his build that he was obviously what he claimed to be.
He seemed to have caught my scrutiny because he took it as permission to return the favor.
While Cole talked he nodded at all the right places and answered the questions but his eyes never left me.
I cleared my throat and his irises lazily came up to mine.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Face… the rest." I pushed Cole's arm off me and gestured towards it. "Is mine."
"Is that right?" He said amusedly.
"Yes."
He just shook his head in acknowledgement and then took up where he left off.
"So… you two together?"
"No." Cole and I both said in unison; him sounding casual and me sounding annoyed. Why did everyone say that?
"Good." He finished, and then directed all of his attention to his new captain which he should have done from the beginning.
"Oh Lex, angel?"
"Yes Cole, dear?"
"Go get your homework out of the car and finish it. If you're World Civ. grade doesn't go up your mom said you couldn't go to the game on Friday."‑
"Oh the horror and I already did." I told him triumphantly, plopping down next to them and staring into space.
"Good girl." I rolled my eyes.
It didn't matter if I went to the game or not. If they lost, which they wouldn't, they get all depressed and then party it off. If they won, which they would, they'd get all cocky and go party anyway; like I really wanted to be there for that.
"So you play any sports Lexie?" Dominic asked while taking the seat next to me. Cole went to sit beside him but I grabbed his wrist and forced him in between us.
"No."
"Do you do anything?"
"Yeah, she sleeps." Cole commented putting his hands on the ground behind him and leaning back. "A lot."
"I don't sleep that much." I say stubbornly.
"Yeah… you do."
"Well." I smile sweetly at him and continue. "Maybe if you actually knew how to keep my interest I'd be more inclined to stay awake."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He looked over at me.
"I think she means that you bore her buddy." Dominic told him.
"Never heard that one before." He mumbled under his breath dejectedly.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course you haven't. Who would tell the sex god of the school he was boring?"
"Sex god?" He questioned, cocking his eyebrow at my comment.
"Do you live under a rock?" Then I realized what he was doing and hit his leg. "Stop trying to get me to boost your ego."
"No it's just a weird thing to say to me." He concluded. For a moment it looked like he was going to say something else but stopped when he realized Dominic was still listening. "We should get the show on the road." He said standing up. He put his hand out for me and hoisted me to my feet as well. "Shall we?"
I nodded glumly and followed the two boys into the school, reaching into my hoodie pocket to pull out my book and IPod.
Did you really think I was going to pay attention to this?
"Hey babe." Emma's voice drifted over to me from her way across the room.
I glanced up and nearly fell out of my chair again.
"What… are you wearing... and your hair?!"
She was dressed in a school girl outfit that was just barely a notch up from a porn movie. Her hair was up in a librarian bun and… electric blue.
"Do you like? I thought it would get him to notice me." Yeah right.
"Please enlighten me, how?" I asked.
She proceeded to saunter her way up to the teacher and leaned towards him, resting her elbows on his desk.
"What do you think Mr. Nell?" His eyes tried to focus on Emma's face until she knocked over his pencil case and he had to scramble to pick them up. They adjusted to the region of her cleavage and for a moment I thought he was going to close his eyes, put his hands out in front of him and yell, "No!".
"Um… well… that's an interesting outfit you… ah… acquired today Ms. Kelner." He stuttered out.
She smiled.
"I was going to say, what do you think about my hair?"
I think he turned a shade of purple before he pushed his chair back until it hit the wall behind him and stood.
"Um… well… let's begin."
She gave me a wink on her way back and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey loser?" I said from my seat on the bleachers.
Dominic's head whirled around with a look of annoyance. Sadly once he saw it was me the look of annoyance turned into that stupid lopsided smirk.
"Yes Beautiful?" He asked, and I wanted to gag.
I smiled a fake smile in return.
"Why are you here?"
"Because I knew you'd be here."
"Get a life." I growled.
"Want to share yours with me?"
"No."
This guy just didn't know what 'I hate your guts' meant, did he?
Ryan and Jon, who had been talking with Dominic, turned to look at our little spat.
"How about I make a deal with you?" He asked, advancing toward me in a manner that told me just how big his ego really was.
When he was right in front of me he leaned forward, both arms finding their way to the bleachers on either side of my body.
I leaned in till my face was just as close and unthreatened as his own.
"What did you have in mind?" I retorted.
I could see the effects of his grin all the way up to his blue eyes.
"If I win." He leaned even closer, so close I could feel his breath tickle my ear. I closed my eyes and felt my stomach do something it shouldn't have. After all I was not one of those girls that fell for guys just because they were cute. He was a jerk and cockier than anyone I'd ever met… and no matter how many rude comments I made his way he just blew them off. "You go on a date with me." He whispered.
I turned my head away from his and tried to remember when my anger had turned into butterflies. I hate this guy!
"Why would I?" I said stubbornly, giving him a glare.
Then he laughed, and I couldn't believe I didn't see it before. I realized Dominic was the type of guy who told you he wasn't planning on being with you forever in the kind of way that still sent shivers down your back.
He stood up straight again and started back towards Ryan and Jon who were now talking with Cole. They said something to him and he just shrugged, turning to me and rolling his eyes.
"Oh." Dominic said, glancing back at me from his way across the other side of the net. "Because you know you want to." My hand itched for a ball.
"Fine but if I win you have to never talk to me again." I concluded.
"Have it your way." He returned, picking up the ball.
Twelve to eight. So it turns out Dominic could play. The boy was better than Ryan, which left him pissed at the end of the block, and in my opinion that was a good thing. When Ryan was mad it meant he didn't open his big conceited mouth. But then again it also meant something I was very frankly not too happy about either.
"So you were saying beautiful?" He questioned, smirking at me.
"Yeah, he totally beat you." Ryan smiled.
"I'm glad you realize that." I told Ryan without turning around; heading for the gym doors. "Because you would have lost if it wasn't for him."
I heard him mumble, "Why does she hate me," before they swung shut.
I sighed and slammed my locker shut as hard as I could. It echoed down the empty hallway before finally coming to a stop.
"Hope I never make you mad." Someone said, or should I correct that to no one.
"Do I know you?"
"You should since you're going on a date with me."
I sighed. "Go away Dominic."
"It's Dom."
I turned to him.
"Hi Dom, my name is Go."
"Cute."
"Want to hear my middle and last?" I smiled.
He gave me that smirk again and I almost screamed. Was there no way to make him mad?
"If you want babe… sure."
I clenched my teeth and started walking towards the front entrance.
"I thought you were waiting for Cole!" He yelled.
"Tell him I walked!" I screamed back.
"Hi honey." Emma squealed on Friday night. Cole glanced up, raised an eyebrow, and went back to watching the Monk marathon on TV. "Oh my, if it isn't Adonis in the flesh." She commented, staring at Cole like she'd been forced into a monastery for fifty years and he was the first man she saw when she got out.
"Down girl, I'm taken." He told her without even glancing up.
"By who?" She asked politely. "We could change that."
I stopped her before she could jump him.
"Come." I waved towards my room and made her follow. "Now what are you doing here?"
"That Dominic Lawrence is one hot-"
"Of course." I groaned and fell back onto the bed.
"I wasn't done."
"I get the rest."
"But I wanted to talk about him."
"No."
"Come on-"
"No."
She huffed and gave me a 'you're so hopeless' look.
"Fine. Let's get you ready."
"What?" I bolted up, and shook my head." "Why?"‑
She sighed like I was useless.
"It's called preparation my dear Watson." She declared.
"Preparation, for what?"
"Well, my little maiden. I mean your date. There is an awesome blow-out tomorrow night and I have been scheduled to attend. This is the only day my planner is free, or should I say, has been freed."
"This isn't theater class. You can stop talking like that." I told her. "And you didn't cancel anything for me, it was for the hot seventeen year old working his charm on you that made you do that."
"So you think he's hot?" She questioned.
I screamed in frustration and fell back once again.
I clutched the phone to my ear and leaned down to slip the heeled hell onto my foot.
"Why can't you be like the stereotypical guy friend and be all protective?" I asked dejectedly. "What good are you? I might as well have a female as a best friend."
He laughed, something that always put me at ease.
"One, I just got in a fight with a teammate and see what happened, two, I cannot beat up every guy who looks at you, three, you don't have to go, four, you'll be okay, and five…" He paused and I could sense the smiled forcing its way onto his lips. "My baby girl has her first date." He mocked humorously.
"I hate you." I mumbled.
"Chica, you love me." He corrected. "It'll be okay just don't get all riled up over nothing, and don't sabotage it!" He added seriously. "Have fun, take a chance… put your guard down. For me…"
I bit the inside of my lip.
"Kay." I told him. "I should let you go. We both know how mad your Barbie will get if your late."
"Don't we?" He chuckled. "Bye babe."
I was about to pull the phone away when he continued.
"And if he does do something to warrant an ass kicking. I have an entire football team at my disposal." He offered.
I smiled. "Thanks."
"Any time love." He finished before clicking off without a second thought.
The sound of his voice saying that word echoed long after the dial tone.
"You look…" Dominic breathed and let a grin sprawl across his face. "Amazing." He concluded.
You ever heard someone say something to you in that arrogant tone that somehow sounded like they were complementing themselves at your expense. Kind of like, 'You look hot. Yeah I did that.' Well his voice sounded like that added with the, 'You can hear how much I want to… cough… you right now.'
I pulled the end of my dress down for the millionth time. Realizing that though my mind was telling me I was doing it because I liked deeming the end secure, it was really because I was fidgeting… because I was nervous. Yeah, the fearless Alexis Walker was nervous. You would be to if you could see the length of this dress.
What if I tripped? If you asked me high heels and short dresses were both made to go together by a secret society known as, The Tomboy Haters.‑
'With their ungraceful movements and clumsy ways, watch as our plan goes into effect. The tomboy will walk,' the founder of the cult will state, 'she will then fall on her ass,' he will smirk proudly (were you thinking it was a girl), 'revealing what's really hidden beneath those baggy jeans and jerseys.'
Please ignore all previous thoughts and chalk them up to nerves and insanity.
I was thinking so deeply (I'd rather get lost in super embarrassing thoughts than exist right now) that I didn't even notice my shoes connect with the grass instead of pavement. I did however feel it.
"Fuck." I said surprised. I could feel my leg twist to the side under me. Tomboy Haters, I tell you.
Dominic's hand wrapped itself around my wrist and pulled me hastily towards him; making my fall shift backwards. Instead of hitting the ground I fell into his unwavering silhouette.
"You okay?" He laughed, steadying me and letting his hands wonder up to my shoulders.
I shook my head, and fought down the embarrassment that was about to make its way to my face.
"Good. Wouldn't want to hurt those pretty little ankles of yours, may never get to see them again."
"Do you ever stop flirting or has it warped your mind by now?" I said crossly, ignoring the vibrations of my heart and standing up straight.
"Well babe I flirt just about as much as you're sarcastic, you tell me?" He folded his arms and waited.
After a couple minutes of silence he smiled triumphantly.
"That's what I thought." He countered.
"Let's just go." I growled.