Monday morning came around quicker than Holly would have liked. The good thing was that she’d managed to get to homeroom before Dev. Knowing now why Hot-guy/Alex had seemed to appear when Dev did, avoiding Dev first thing, meant avoiding Alex too. It wasn’t something that she was proud of, but it meant that she wasn’t with just the twins.
Holly could’ve kicked herself for not noticing that they were related. They did look alike, but where Dev looked like her Mum, Alex apparently looked more like his Dad. Holly hadn’t met Rami yet, she’s seen a photograph and, of course, he was another tall, good looking man. Heck, the whole family belonged in a magazine for the who’s who of beautiful people, starring just them.
Dev walked into homeroom and Holly saw Alex look in from the doorway, before he walked away. He didn’t look happy one little bit.
“Good morning!” Said Dev as she sat down next to her. “How are you? You look exhausted. Haven’t you slept?”
“Oh, I’m fine.” Said Holly with a small smile.
“You don’t look fine.” Dev said as she looked at her with concern.
“I’ve just had a few things on my mind. But I’m ok.”
“Anything I can help with?”
Not unless you can tell me what the hell is going on in my head!
“No. Everything’s fine now, but thanks.”
“Well, I’m here if you need me” Dev said as she squeezed Holly’s hand.
Holly smiled and nodded at her friend.
Mrs.Carter came in and gave everybody their new schedules.
“Please respect these…” She said as she handed the individual schedules out to the students. “…Staff worked overtime on Friday and over the weekend so these could start today.”
Holly and Dev quickly compared schedules, writing their numbered choices in the spaces.
“We have a lot of our classes together!” Dev squealed with delight. “Well, we don’t have English or Algebra together, which I guessed anyway.” She added.
“Ugh. We don’t have any free periods together.” Said Holly, disappointed.
“What?! That sucks ass!” Said Dev, scrunching her nose.
“I know.”
Holly was annoyed that she didn’t get a chance to spend any of her free time with Dev. Without her Spanish classes, Holly would be alone the other times.
“We’ll have to check our schedules with Riss and Kay” Dev said as she got out her phone to text them. “Maybe we’ll get some free periods with them.”
“Definitely. I’d feel better not waiting around by myself during the free time and also knowing somebody in my other classes”
“You know Alex” Dev said with a strange look in her eyes, her eyebrows lifted a little.
Did she know?
“Mhmm” Holly said as she began to nervously play with her fingers.
“I wonder what classes he has?” said Dev as if thinking out loud.
He could have every class with me…shirtless…Whoa, what the fuck?!
Holly started to blush with her runaway thoughts and Dev saw her.
“You’ve gone pink, Hol, are you ok?”
“Just a little warm I guess.” Holly replied with a little pathetic laugh. She could see that Dev wasn’t convinced but kept it to herself.
The bell sounded to signify the first lesson. Holly had A.Eng, like last week. Because of the change, Holly’s and Dev’s classrooms were now next door to each other. They walked to their rooms, Dev pulling a face as she disappeared through the door, making Holly laugh as she walked into her own class. Holly’s laughter was short lived when she saw that the teacher had assigned them their seats, alphabetically by first name.
Her seat was second row in from the right, third seat back. As Holly made her way to her seat, she noticed Alex’s name on a desk. First row in from the right fourth seat back. If Holly had been one seat back, she would’ve been next to him. She didn’t know which was worse…next to, or in front. She decided ‘next to’ was worse. She would’ve been talking distance away, and she knew how bad she was at that around him.
Holly sat down and put her books on her desk. The magnetic pull towards the door filled her senses and she tried not to look. Her body, on the other hand, shifted in the seat, right before Alex walked in. Holly could smell him as walked closer to her. He smelled like soap. Clean and fresh and full of bubbles…in the shower…naked.
Her face flamed as her thoughts had taken a serious turn to x-rated as the rest of her body was heating up. Certain parts tingling.
“Hi Holly.” His smooth, sexy voice caressed her ears as he passed her.
“H.h.hey.” She managed. She wanted to curl up and hide under her desk.
“Ok people…!” The teacher said as they started the class.
Alex was happy he was sitting closer to Holly, even if she didn’t like him back. He couldn’t help how he felt about her. It was if a switch had been turned on inside of him and all of his dormant hormones were reacting just for her.
He watched as she fidgeted in her seat, her cheeks going pink. He noticed her eyes as she looked out of the window. She was tired.
She mustn’t have slept much. Was it the horror movie? Did she have nightmares?’
Alex had a strong urge to put his arms around her and hold her tight.
Alex had been uncomfortable throughout the lesson. He could smell coconut and knew it was Holly’s hair. He’d smelled it that first day, and then last week when he swore that she was behind him. He’d had a feeling in his stomach, like when he’d first met Holly, and when he’d said goodbye to Ben, he’d turned and smelled her. When he looked back, though, she wasn’t there.
When class ended, he was grateful. His jeans were becoming too tight for comfort, and he had to walk with his books in front of him to avoid embarrassment. Holly had left pretty quickly, and if he hadn't had an unwelcome visitor, he might have tried to walk with her to meet Dev next door. Maybe he would calm down on the walk to art class. He sure hoped he did.
Holly quickly said “Hi” to Dev because she knew she had art class with Alex, and they would be walking together. It was Holly’s free period, and she used it to take her Spanish lessons. Two of them, per week were taken up for this. The lesson, which consisted of Miss Delaney talking in rapid Spanish, whilst the rest of the class looked on bemused, went by quickly. Mainly because all Holly could think about was Alex and his soapy shower smell.
Holly made her way to A.Calc whilst Dev had a free period. Her phone beeped for an incoming text.
D: How’d Spanish go?
H: Painful. :(
D: Haha! It’s not that bad. XD
H: My English isn’t great, so Spanish is really difficult!:/
D: You crack me up! XD
H: What does ‘Hola chica hermosa’ mean?
D: It means ‘hello beautiful girl’ why?
H: Some guy just said it to me.
D: Oooh! Who?
H: I don’t know his name.
D: Is he in your class?
H: No. He said it as I came out of class as he walked past. I didn’t know whether he was insulting me.
D: If you see him again, point him out.
H: Will do. I’ve just got to class. See you at lunch. X
D: See you soon. X
As Holly got into the classroom, she saw that Ben was already there and sitting in his usual spot. The teacher hadn’t changed any of their seating arrangements, so Holly took her seat behind him.
“Hey new girl” he said as he turned to talk to her.
“Hi Ben.” She answered with a smile.
“That movie ‘Ted’ was awesome, right?”
“Yeah. I like that movie. I’ve seen it a few times.”
She felt comfortable with Ben. She could see why he was Alex’s best friend. He was very likeable.
“Girls usually get grossed out by some of that stuff. You didn’t though. That’s cool.” He said with a huge smile.
“I have a warped sense of humour.” The teacher got the attention of the students and began the class, Ben turning back around in his seat.
“See you soon” Ben said as the lesson ended and the students filed out of the room.
“Yeah, see ya.” Holly said before making her way to her locker.
She was meeting the girls for lunch. The guys would be going too. Holly took a deep breath.
Big girl pants, she thought as she walked in the direction of the cafeteria.
Once they had paid for their food, the girls walked to the table that they usually sat at. It was a huge round table, with four curved benches. Big enough to sit about twelve people, if they sat close enough. There were eight of them so there was plenty of room.
The conversation picked up, and Holly saw the guy that had called her ‘beautiful girl’.
“Hey Dev…” Holly said to get her attention. “That’s the guy…” She said as she discreetly pointed in his direction.
“That’s Caleb.” Said Dev as Riss and Kayla listened in. “He throws parties all of the time and thinks he’s God’s gift to women. He’s ok in small doses, but then he comes out with crap that makes you want to slap him.”
Kayla and Riss laughed as they agreed with Dev.
“We don’t go to his parties though.” Said Dev. “There was this one time, that we thought ‘why not’ and we all went. Stacey showed up and was all over Alex…” Holly shifted as she felt a fire surge in her stomach. This time, it did not feel good. ”…He kept telling her to leave him alone, but she wouldn’t stop. She even took to telling people that they were a ‘thing’.”
“Nobody believed her though. Everybody had heard him shooting her down.” Added Riss.
“Yeah, she even tried to get him to have a drink with her. She even brought over a red cup with beer in it. He took it, just to get rid of her and poured it into a plant when she wasn’t looking.” Kayla said as her face turned into a snarl.
“Then, she seemed to be hanging around, watching him. Not like the usual way she does but like as if she were waiting for something…”
“Yeah that was creepy.” Said Riss.
“Alex was getting a little freaked out, so we all left. We’ve not been to one since. She seems to turn up everywhere he does too. I swear she’s some kind of stalker.” Said Kayla. Her hands up, emphasising the point.
The girls shuddered. Holly was raging. She could feel her teeth grinding together, her fists clenching.
The guys came over and sat down at the table with them. Holly immediately froze.
As the guys were walking over to the table, Alex could see Holly having a discussion with the girls. She was chatty one minute, and then the girls were saying something and Holly looked angry. He didn’t know what they’d said, because they were too far away to hear, but whatever it was it couldn’t have been good. He’d ask Dev about it later.
“Hi, baby. Wanna come sit with me today?” Stacey’s grating voice pierced his ears.
“Don’t call me that, and no. Not ever.” Alex said as he continued walking without even looking at Stacey. His gaze firmly on Holly.
“Just you wait, Alex, you’ll come running.” He heard her say from behind him.
“Fuck off”. He was going to have to put in another complaint about her.
He had done previously, twice, but other than ensuring they had as few classes together as possible, nothing seemed to be working. He was pleased that the schedule had them only in social studies together. They weren’t together in Phys.Ed anyway so the one class, he could cope with.
They got to the table and sat down, the guys leaving only the space next to Holly for him to sit. Not that he minded…at all.
Holly seemed to freeze and go quiet. It wasn’t just Alex who noticed either.
“Hey girls” Ryan said as he rested his elbows on the table, glancing at Holly. “Pretty interesting shake up we had today, huh?”
As the conversation picked up around the changes, good and bad, Alex saw his chance and leaned into Holly.
“Are you ok, Holly?” He asked and her cheeks turned pink as she turned to look at him with those green eyes…
“Are you ok Holly?” Alex had said.
Goodness, she loved the way he said her name. It rolled off his tongue in a breath that made her knees weak. Holly opened her mouth to say something but made the mistake of glancing up at him. She felt her cheeks heat.
“Yeah…I’m…um…wha…hmm?” Holly looked back down at the table, completely embarrassed.
Shit! Not again, not now, with everybody here!
She closed her eyes for a moment before she chanced another glance at him. He was frowning.
“You ok…after Saturday?”
Holly closed her eyes and nodded.
Please, ground, swallow me up!
Everybody seemed to turn their attention towards them.
“What are you two talking about? She heard Kyle ask.
“Nothing” she heard Alex say, with a little too much emphasis on the ‘nothing’. Well, that’s exactly what it was. She couldn’t speak…again. The group must have seen something in their faces because they left it at that. Holly wanted to hide.
“Lost your voice Holly? Ben asked her with a little smirk.
“No.” Holly said as her blush returned with vigour.
“You were a lot more talkative in Calc class.”
“Ben, shut up” Dev said, coming to Holly’s rescue.
“What? I’m just making an observation.” He said with his hands up in surrender.
“Just leave it Ben” muttered Alex. Holly saw Ben smile at Alex, and then to her.
What’s going on?
“You’re an ass sometimes Ben.” Dev snapped.
“I know” he replied as if it were old news.
Everybody laughed at Ben, but then the subject was, thankfully, changed, after somebody from another table dropped a tray, earning them a round of applause.
Dev gave Holly’s arm a little squeeze and she smiled, sympathetically, as she looked down and saw Holly’s bouncing leg. The look on her face said she would be asking about that some time soon.
The guys were talking about something they were doing later, when Holly heard Alex say…
“I’m getting a haircut.”
Holly looked to him, involuntarily, and looked at his hair. She must have done something because Alex looked back at her with confusion in his eyes, before his attention was averted when Ryan asked him something.
Well, she didn’t want him to get a haircut. His hair was gorgeous the way it was. In fact, she often thought about running her fingers through it. To see whether it felt as silky as it looked. It was so shiny, and she wanted to touch the strands that fell into his eyes…
”Holly?” she heard her name and turned in the direction of the voice.
Ben.
He was smiling at her and she frowned.
“What?” she asked and he just shook his head
“Nothing”.
They finished their lunch, and he bell sounded for the beginning of the last lesson of the day. Algebra was next. The girls all walked together, the guys behind them, until Holly turned into A.Alg. She felt relieved that she was on her own for this class, as she didn’t have to face any of the questions from lunch.
Alex wasn’t too pleased when the rest of them turned into their Algebra class.
“What’s up, Alex?” Dev asked as she sat behind him.
“Oh…nothing” he said as he took his seat.
“Yes there is.” She said as she leant forward on her elbows.
Ben, Ryan and Kyle sat down at the desks to Alex’s left so he turned to his right to look back at Dev. His back to the guys so they couldn’t over hear them.
“I’ll tell you on the way home” He said with a sigh.
There was no point in keeping it from Dev. She knew there was something wrong, and she always found out what it was.
“You better. I don’t like to see you sad.”
The class went by, and Alex noticed the smirk on Ben’s face. He wanted to ask him about it, but he thought better of it when Ryan smirked at him too.
They’re up to something.
He decided to wait for a better time to see what the hell they found so funny.
After class, Dev met Holly by their lockers, along with Riss and Kayla, and they all walked out of school together. As they got into the parking lot, Holly saw Stacey shooting daggers at her.
“What’s her problem?” Holly said, more to herself, but the others overheard.
“She’s probably jealous that you have both Jake and Caleb mooning over you.” Said Kayla.
“What? How would she know about that? Caleb only said that today.”
“That doesn’t matter” said Dev “If there were people with him, they would know, which means she would end up knowing too.”
“Stacey doesn’t like competition.” Riss said shaking her head. “Jake has turned her down too, so for him to ask you out, she wouldn’t have liked that.”
Holly already knew that Stacey was pissed about Jake. She’d made her distaste known in homeroom.
“What is the matter with her?” Holly asked incredulously.
“Beats me, but she’s like a female version of Caleb, but with a lot more bitchiness. At least he doesn’t throw a tramp tantrum like she does.” Dev said as she turned to walk out. “I have a ride with Alex.”
“Any plans for later?” asked Kayla before they all went their separate ways.
“Not yet” Dev replied.
“Well, we could hang at my place. My Mom got me a shit load of makeup and nail stuff. You guys could be my guinea pigs; ‘cos I need to practice my nail care.” Kayla said, wiggling her nails in the air.
“I’m so up for that.” Said Riss, which would be a given anyway since they were joined at the hip.
“That sounds like fun!” Dev said with an excited bounce.
“Holly?” Kayla asked. “Are you coming?”
“Definitely. I’d love to.”
“Yay!” squealed Kayla. They all swapped hugs. “Six o’clock, ladies. I’ll have everything set up.”
“Ok, spill” Dev said to Alex as soon as she got into the car.
“You don’t waste anytime do you” he asked with a snorted laugh.
“Nope. Not when you look like someone’s stolen your puppy. And, because Ben’s not here, we have more time to talk. What’s up?”
“Holly won’t talk to me.” He sighed.
“Won’t talk to you? Didn’t she answer you at lunch?” Dev asked with a frown.
“Well, yeah, but not like she talks to you, or the others.”
“She’s shy Alex. Being new at school and surrounded by us all, when we clearly all know each other well, will probably do that.” She said waving her hand in the air.
“But she spoke to Ben!” He said raising his voice, exasperated. “He even said at the table that she was more talkative in calc class” he said, his voice lowering to almost a whisper.
“Yeah, but that was just Ben.” She said in defense.
“The rest of the class were there.”
“Point taken, but I doubt the whole class was involved in their conversation.” She said with her eyebrows raised.
“Well, no, but still.” Alex ran a hand through his hair. “It’s like she’s purposely avoiding me. Just me. What did I do?”
“Wow, Alex, I’ve never seen you like this. Over anybody…ever. You’ve known her for only a week too.”
“I know” Alex let out a long breath as he continued to stare out of the windscreen. “Will you find out why?” he asked as he glanced to Dev.
“Alex…”
“Pleeeaaase?” he begged and put on his best puppy dog expression.
“Aww Alex…not the face.” Dev whined. “The code and the face…it’s not fair!”
Alex just looked at Dev, whilst they were stopped at a traffic light.
“Oh alright.” She said as she gave in. “I’ll try to find out what’s going on with her.”
“Thanks sis, you’re the best.” He beamed.
“Yeah I know” Dev said sternly. “We’re going over to Kayla’s later. What time are you getting your haircut?”
“As soon as I’ve dropped you home.” He said then his mind suddenly jumped back to lunch. Holly’s face when he said he was getting a haircut. She looked to him, then his hair, and frowned. Did she think it was a waste of time? Or was it because…could she…? Like his hair? He thought about it some more and decided to test out the theory on Dev.
“So…do you think I should cut my hair? Dev turned to him, looked at his hair and frowned.
“I like your hair. Just a trim to the usual length. Don’t do anything drastic.” Alex smiled…
H: Do you want me to pick you up?
D: Yes that would be awesome! Saves Alex dropping me off and picking me up.
H: No probs. See you at 5:45 x
D: Thanks. X
Holly was hoping to catch a glimpse of Alex before he left for the gym. She felt safer in the confines of her car because she wasn’t going to be near him. She hoped he hadn’t cut all of his glorious hair off too.
Holly pulled up to the house, just as Alex opened the front door. He hadn’t cut all of his hair! It was obvious he’d had a trim though because it wasn’t much shorter than last week.
Oh God he looks so fantastically delicious! I need to get a picture.
Her hands started shaking so she gripped the steering wheel to stop them. Her heart was fluttering, and her skin was being tickled by thousands of little electric shocks. Holly didn’t know why she felt so anxious. Nobody had ever made her feel that way before.
I need to see a shrink…seriously.
Alex looked over at her and smiled, but Holly could see a hint of sadness in his eyes. She bit her lip and looked back at the steering wheel. Her face was on fire. She closed her eyes, but all she could see were his sad eyes.
Whoever had put that look on his face had better watch out! What?! Whoa…Protective much?
Yes…she was definitely in trouble.
Dev came bouncing out of the house as she shouted…
”Hey Holly!” Holly looked to Dev, and Alex also turned to her.
“No se olvide.” He said.
Holly had no idea what he said, but to hear him talk in Spanish…she swallowed hard and tried to breathe. She felt like she was going to melt.
Oh my God that’s so sexy!
The heat in her cheeks increased. She needed to get away from there…now.
“No haré” Dev replied with a wink as she got into Holly’s car.
“What were you saying?” Holly asked as she pulled away from the kerb.
“Oh. He asked me not to forget.”
Holly looked at Dev, with a quizzical expression, and Dev explained further.
“…Um…I need to text him when I get to Kayla’s”
“Oh ok” Holly nodded and they drove the short distance to Kayla’s house. It wasn’t far away from Dev’s, but it was in the opposite direction of Holly’s house.
Holly lived the closest to school. Maybe that’s why she hadn’t seen any of them when she moved there a few weeks earlier. They didn’t hangout near where Holly lived. Not that Holly had known where anything was. She had tended to stay close to home, only venturing as far as the park when she was alone. Other than that, she would be with her Mum and Dad.
“Um..Holly…can I ask you something?” Dev said, a little nervously.
“Yeah sure” she replied, quickly glancing at Dev.
“Well…I was just wondering, earlier at school, what Ben said.“ Holly’s stomach was swarming with butterflies and her nerves were on edge again. She had a feeling this had something to do with Alex.
“Well, you don’t really seem to talk to Alex.”
Holly felt her face redden. She could feel Dev’s eyes on her and she could tell from Dev’s reaction that she’d felt bad for asking, but then she took a breath and rattled on…
”You don’t have any problems talking to us, and apparently Ben, but you’re quiet with my brother. He’s a nice person Hol. The best. Has he done something to bother you?”
“Uh…no. He hasn’t. At all.” Holly said, nervously.
“Well what is it then? If he hasn’t done anything, why do you avoid him?”
Holly wasn’t sure but she thought she could see Dev trying to hide a smile.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel bad but I’m just trying to understand, you know, so maybe I can help.”
“It’s nothing Dev. Can we not talk about this right now?” Holly blew out an irritated breath and pushed her back into the seat.
“I thought it was best just the two of us. I won’t say anything, Hol. You can trust me. Maybe just tell Alex why you won’t talk to him.”
“NO!” Said Holly, as she felt herself beginning to panic. “You can’t say anything to Alex.”
Oh my God, she would just die if he found out. He’d probably think she was just another girl who was drooling over him. If he knew, then maybe he wouldn’t smile at her anymore. She didn’t want him to turn it into a look of distaste. She wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Look, Holly. We regularly hang out together with the guys at lunch, and occasionally after school. I don’t want there to be any bad feeling. Especially for my brother.” Dev said completely unaware that Holly was at the beginning of a freak out.
“It’s not that Dev. Please? Can we drop it?” Dev just looked at Holly. The smile Holly thought she saw was now gone, replaced with worry.
“Holly. Do you like Alex?”
Holly didn’t answer her. She had a feeling Dev knew and was just asking her those questions to make sure. Like she had a feeling, but didn’t want to just come out with ‘Hey Holly, do you like my brother, or what?’
“That’s it isn’t it?” Dev said, wide eyed.
Holly continued to stare ahead, gripping the wheel tighter. Admitting to Dev how she felt about Alex would make it real. Not that it wasn’t already, but telling somebody else…It couldn’t be taken back.
“I promise I won’t tell the others, Hol. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have pushed. It’s just…Alex thinks he’s done something to offend you and the way you’re different around him, well I had a good idea, but I was worried about you too.” Dev said, her hand on Holly’s arm as they pulled up outside Kayla’s.
Holly let out a long controlled breath. She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again.
“Hol? Please say something.”
Holly shook her head and smiled.
Big girl pants? Check.
“We’ll talk later, but right now I need a manicure.” Holly finally replied.
“Oh my God I thought you were going to stop talking to me or slap me or something!” Dev laughed.
“Of course not! I know you’re looking out for Alex, but we’ll talk later. Kayla’s waiting for us.”
“So we’re still good?” Dev looked worried as she asked.
“Definitely” Holly smiled.
Kayla opened the door, Riss next to her, and the girls went inside for their ‘girly time’. Kayla’s room was the epitome of teenage girl. Posters across the walls, cork board full of photographs, school schedules, reminders.
Her queen sized bed was sky-blue with pink edging piping around the edges, and the pillows the same shade of pink.
There was a huge round, fluffy, pink rug on the floor and her white dresser was full of nail care items and polish.
“Ok, let’s get to work” Kayla said as she opened a box of nail files. “We’ll order takeout later.”
The girls all sat on the fluffy rug, and it reminded Holly of the scene in Grease where the girls are in Frenchy’s bedroom, but minus the nightwear and bitchiness.
The girls were having so much fun doing their nails. Holly had chosen very light pink polish. So light that it was pearlescent and shimmered in the light. Kayla painted little white hearts on her third finger nails.
“This is so in right now. Just the third finger is different. I think it looks awesome, even though people get it so wrong.”
Holly had to giggle at Kayla’s expression. Rolling her eyes in annoyance at other people’s ‘faux pas’ when it came to nail decoration. Not something Holly would normally be into, but she was enjoying doing girl stuff with her new friends.
“So…Holly” Kayla suddenly said with a mischievous smile. “Any guys catch your eye at school yet?”
Holly’s stomach dropped as Riss smiled and Dev looked between Riss and Kayla, before turning to her.
“Um…” Holly said as if thinking. She didn’t want to lie and say ‘no’. It was weird, but it felt like betraying Alex if she said it. “I haven’t really looked, to be honest…” she said finally. Which was the truth. She hadn’t looked. She’d only seen Alex and that was it. “…I’ve only been there just over a week.”
“Yeah there’s plenty of time” Riss said as she began filing a nail. “Personally, there are a lot of cute guys. I can’t decide who I like the best.” She said with a beaming grin.
Kayla looked up at her with a knowing smile.
“I think Kyle’s cute.” She said.
“Wooooooh” the girls chorused.
“Shut up!” Kayla laughed. “He’s just sweet, funny…”
“and has a rocking body to boot” added Riss with a wink.
“Well I guess that helps too” Kayla agreed.
The girls burst out laughing.
So Kayla likes Kyle huh?
Holly thought and smiled to herself.
“How about you Dev? Do you still have a thing for Ben? Riss asked as she turned to Dev.
“Not really.” Holly raised an eyebrow at Dev. “I used to like him but…he’s like family. Alex and Ben have been friends since we were six. It would be weird.”
Holly wasn’t convinced because she could see something in Dev’s eyes that said she wasn’t being completely truthful.
The conversation turned to the boys’ dating habits and Holly instantly didn’t want to know. Alex’s dating history wasn’t something she wanted to hear.
“I haven’t seen them with any girls, and we see them a lot, so I’m guessing they still haven’t gone there.”
Holly didn’t know what to make of what Riss had just said, but she really didn’t want to hear more. The thought of Alex dating made her feel queasy.
“Well I know Alex hasn’t dated anybody” Dev said as she quickly glanced at Holly.
“Seriously, that guy could have anybody!” said Kayla as she shook her head a little.
“I know right?” Riss said in agreement.
“He’s a good boy” Dev said as she winked at Holly. Riss and Kayla both looking down, their attention on their finger nails.
“Tell that to Stacey” Riss added. “That skank can’t keep her hands to herself.”
“I know. Holly saw her with her hands all over him outside our homeroom last week. I wanted to punch her in the face.” Dev said with a scowl.
“Hear, hear.” Said Kayla waving the polish brush in the air.
“So how are you liking school so far, Holly?” Riss asked as Kayla placed Holly’s nails into the dryer.
“It’s good.” She said. “A lot different from my old school, but I’m liking it so far.”
They began to discuss the schedule shake up. The girls thought it pretty strange to change it a week after the break.
“It makes more sense though.” Kayla said as she placed her polish back into their case. “I mean…the classes were all over the place. My cousin on my Dad’s side, in Portland, has a schedule similar to our new one.”
“I like it. I seem to have more free periods now, which is awesome!” said Riss.
“And…we have the same classes, so our free periods are together too.” Added Kayla with a grin.
“I’m not looking forward to swimming tomorrow though.” Said Dev and Holly’s head snapped to her.
“Swimming?” Holly’s heart raced.
“Yeah, it starts again this week.” Dev said. “After the schedule change, the principal said swimming would be for the next two semesters at least.”
Don’t panic. It’s already sorted.
Holly tried to calm herself buy repeating those words in her mind.
The girls had a few more laughs, at the boy’s expense and had their Chinese takeout before it got to the time Holly and Dev needed to leave. As soon as Holly pulled the car away from the kerb Dev pounced.
“Ok let’s talk”
“Wow you don’t waste any time do you?” laughed Holly.
“Nope. Now spill.” Said Dev with a knowing smile.
Holly had the feeling she’d done this before.
“Ok, on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Spill about Ben.”
Dev let her head fall back for a moment.
“There’s nothing to tell, really. Alex and Ben have been friends since we were in kindergarten. When we got older, I guess I kinda got a crush on him. He never saw me like that though. I mean, he sees me like a sister, or cousin at least. Well, anyway, I still think he’s kinda hot but…”
“But what?” Holly knew there was more to what Dev was telling her.
“Nothing…he’s family.”
“Uh huh” Holly said, narrowing her eyes at Dev.
“I won’t say anything, Dev. If you have feelings for Ben, I’ll keep it to myself.”
“Can I tell you something? It may sound a little weird though.” Dev said as she shifted in her seat to look at Holly.
“Of course”
“It is weird, but…I feel like I’ve known you for years, not just a week. I can’t explain it, but…shit…I sound like a stalker!” Dev laughed.
“No, I know what you mean” Holly said as she glanced to Dev. “In my last school, I didn’t really know many people and I’d been there for six years. I’ve known you for just over a week, and I’ve joined in with a lot more stuff with you and the girls.”
“Really?” Dev asked with a huge grin on her face.
“Yeah. I’d never been to anybody’s house, exchanged homework help or even been on a day out…ever…and I’ve done all of that with you guys!”
“Oh my God! Now, I feel all warm and special.”
Holly burst out laughing.
“Now that we’re officially BFF’s, tell me what’s up with Alex.”
“Oh God” Holly groaned.
“You can trust me” Dev said, squeezing Holly’s hand on the wheel.
“I know. But just…don’t repeat any of this to anyone. Not even Alex.”
“Not even Alex?!” Dev asked in surprise.
“Especially Alex” Holly said firmly.
“Oh…ok” Dev nodded. “So what is it that makes you not want to talk to him?” Dev got right in there with her question.
“It’s not that I don’t want to…it’s…I can’t.”
“What? Why?” Dev asked, confused. Holly felt the flush in her cheeks as she became embarrassed.
“I can’t seem to speak, at all, around him.” Holly glanced and saw Dev’s confused frown.
“What do you mean?”
“You can’t figure that out?” Holly asked as if Dev was doing it on purpose.
“No. You can’t speak to him. Why not? I don’t get it.” Holly blew out a long breath and swallowed.
“My brain and mouth don’t seem to be able to function together around him.”
Holly’s face grew hotter as Dev stared at her, then burst out laughing.
“That’s not funny!”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Dev said as her laughter subsided.
“I don’t like doing that but I seriously lose my senses. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I really don’t think I should be telling you this…”
“Well I do” Dev interrupted Holly’s rant. “You so should be telling me.”
“But he’s your brother!” Holly said, her voice going up an octave.
“Even so, I doubt you’d want to discuss it with anybody else.”
“True” Holly said in resignation.
“Also…” Dev added “…you like like him”
“Oh God!” Holly groaned. “Me and the rest of the girls at school huh?”
“Well, the other girls can’t like him like you do.” Holly stopped at a traffic light and looked at Dev.
“How so?”
“Well, for one, they flirt like mad around Alex, or trying it on whenever they can. You’re the only one who doesn’t want him to know which, I think, means you’re better and not out for a quick rumble with him.”
“No! I…Uh…no.” Holly stumbled over her words, shocked at what Dev had just said to her. “I don’t want a ‘quick rumble’ or anything like that. Oh my goodness.” Holly ran a hand across her forehead before pulling away from the traffic light.
“See? I told you.” Dev beamed, knowing she was right. “Are you a virgin?” she said unexpectedly and Holly was amazed she kept control of the car with Dev’s question.
“What?!”
Holly’s facial thermostat went up a few degrees and her heart responded by pounding through her ears. Holly didn’t answer and Dev just kept staring.
“Yes” Holly managed to whisper.
“I thought so” Dev said quietly. “I am too. I think it’s great.”
Holly chanced a quick glance at Dev and then back to the road. She smiled as she said
“I do too.”
“We’re good girls” Dev said with a smirk and raised an eyebrow.
A though popped into Holly’s mind.
“Wait…You said Alex is a good boy. Does that mean…?”
“Hey I’m not saying anything. It’s not my place.” Dev said as she folded her arms and looked out of the window, still smiling.
Holly had a feeling in her stomach. Relief? She didn’t know. Not that she had a right to delve into Alex’s private life. What he does, or did, was none of her business. But, Holly couldn’t help feeling happy that Alex wasn’t like ‘that’.
Holly could tell the boys, at school, that were.
She’d been propositioned by Jake, had leering eyes on her and she’d also overhead somebody saying that he wouldn’t mind ‘taking her for a spin’. ‘Ugh’
“Please don’t say anything, Dev. I don’t want Alex to think I’m just another girl on the long list who likes him. Especially when he doesn’t like me that way.” Holly said as they pulled up outside Dev’s house.
“I won’t. But, if Alex wasn’t concerned, he wouldn’t have bothered at all.” Dev pulled her lips between her teeth for a second. “Ok, he didn’t tell me not to forget to text. He told me not to forget…to see why you don’t talk to him. So…what should I say?”
“I don’t know. Maybe just say I was overwhelmed. Like I told Kay and Riss.”
“Yeah good idea. Text me when you get back.”
“Will do.” Holly was relieved that she could finally say what was bothering her, well most of it, but also relieved that Dev wouldn’t repeat it.
The last thing she wanted was the whole school to find out and then to be a laughing stock. She could see it… ’Dev’s friend likes Dev’s brother. He doesn’t like her back…awkward!' then follow that up with points and laughs, and she would have to go crawl in a hole somewhere.
Alex had been pacing his room for the past ten minutes after Dev sent a text that they were on their way back. Seeing Holly in the car, earlier had left him confused. He noticed that she watched him come out of the house but when he looked at her, she stared for a second before looking away. She’d blushed, he’d definitely seen that. Whenever Holly looked at him, it made him feel…happy? He never liked the way Stacey looked at him, it creeped him out, made him feel…dirty. But, when Holly looked into his eyes… ’I want her. I want her to want me.’ Alex ran his hands over his face.
“Grrrrr” he growled to himself. He didn’t know what he was doing, he was nervous, and he was getting flutters in his chest.
Alex stilled when he heard a car pull up. Looking out of the window, he saw Dev get out of Holly’s car, they waved and then Holly drove away. Alex ran down the stairs as Dev walked through the front door.
“So, what did she say? He asked impatiently. “Whoa, let me get in first!” Dev laughed.
“Come on, Dev, I’ve been dying here!”
“Ok Romeo…Firstly, Holly is quite shy and she’s new. When we’re all together, or she’s in a crowd, she gets a little overwhelmed.” Dev answered.
“What? That’s it?” he asked disbelievingly. He could see that Dev was holding something back from him.
“Sorry, Alex. Look…we talked in the car. She said a few things, but she doesn’t dislike you. At all. Keep trying though, but don’t push her for a conversation ok? I know you’re thinking ‘oh she’s ok with the girls’, but I’ve been with her since she started. There’s only four of us and, believe it or not, she doesn’t talk to Kay and Riss as much as me either.”
“I’ll try, thanks.” Alex said, and he hugged Dev. He turned back to the stairs to go to his room.
“So you’re ok?” she asked from the bottom.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Like you said, Holly’s new. The times I’ve spoken to her there’s been a lot of other people there. So her being shy kinda fits. I feel a bit stupid now, getting so worked up over it.” Alex could feel a dull ache in his chest, dropping low into his stomach.
“Don’t feel like that. You’re not stupid. Just…I don’t know…take it slow and let her include herself as much as she feels comfortable.”
“You sound like Mom” he replied with a small smile.
“Well then, Mom is very wise.” Dev beamed.
“I’m going to draw, so I’ll see you later little sister.”
“By two minutes!” she shouted as Alex laughed on his way upstairs.
He was going to take Dev’s advice but also, he wasn’t going to leave it at just that. Dev was hiding something. He’d talk to Ben.