Alex looked into her eyes. Eyes that he could get lost in forever. He moved his hand from her shoulder to her cheek and stroked the back of his fingers down the side of her face. He held her chin and brought her mouth to his, running his fingertips back up her cheek and into her hair, cupping the side of her head.
“Oh…I think there’s going to be tongue!”
“Kyle!” Said Kayla as Holly and Alex pulled back from each other.
“Don’t ruin it for them. It’s beautiful.”
“Kyle, you’re a dick.”
Ben was chuckling.
“You better get used to it Kyle. Because it’s only gonna get worse.”
Alex threw a potato chip at Ben. Only making him laugh harder.
Holly glared at Kyle. When he looked at her, she quickly glanced to Kayla, as she was talking to Dev, and then back to him. She raised an eyebrow. Kyle stopped laughing and just looked nervous instead. She turned to Alex and smiled.
“What was that?” He asked quietly.
“I’ll tell you later.” She whispered.
“You still have to tell me about your Mom’s warped sense of humour.”
“I will.”
Alex turned when he noticed the group were watching them.
“What?” He asked as they were all grinning.
“Nothing.” Said Riss.
“It’s just…” Kayla began. “…This time last week was a completely different picture.”
Holly felt really happy with how different things were now. She finally felt comfortable to hold a conversation, now they knew how each other felt. She still had other hiccups, like saying her thoughts out loud and getting caught in her Alex fog, which was getting stronger all the time.
“It was inevitable.” Said Dev. “And I can tell you, not saying anything to them about each other was torture!”
“Well, before we start holding hands and singing…“ Said Ben. “We should go…” The bell sounded for the end of lunch. “…Saved by the bell.
"Alex and Holly, as well as Ryan and Riss, walked hand in hand to the Phys.Ed building. As the rest of the group walked in front.
“You do realise we’ve been kicked to the curb?” Said Kyle.
“Kyle. Don’t be an ass.” Said Ben. They’re happy. Don’t you want your friends to be happy?”
“Yeah. I was just kidding.” He said. “Actually, I think it’s awesome. Ryan’s liked Riss for a long time, and Alex and Holly…well that was inevitable.”
“So, why make fun of them?” Asked Kayla.
“I was really just making a joke, ya know? I guess I’m just a little jealous too.” He said as he walked into the changing area.
“What was that?” asked Dev.
“I don’t know.” Said Kayla.
“Ben…find out.” Said Dev as she tried to hurry him in.
“I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.” He said as he went inside.
Holly watched the interactions and knew why Kyle was jealous. She felt bad for him as she saw the sad look in his eyes as he walked through the door.
“He’ll be fine.” Alex said to her. They shared a gentle kiss, before they had to go to their changing areas.
Riss bounced over to Holly and hugged her tight.
“Thank you so much!” she squealed.
“What for?” laughed Holly.
“For helping Ryan. I thought he’d never ask me out. For a while, I thought I’d been ‘friended’.” She said.
“He put a lot of thought into it.” Said Holly.
“I loved it.” Riss beamed.
“When’s your date?” asked Dev.
“We haven’t planned anything yet.” Said Riss.
“You have a date with Alex tonight. Where’s he taking you?” Asked Kayla.
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about it really.” Said Holly as she was changing into her track pants. “He’s running track with me today so we’ll probably decide then.”
“Do you think Ryan will bring you flowers for your date?” Kayla asked Riss.
“I don’t know. I hope not. Isn’t it a little old fashioned?”
“I prefer flowers still in the ground.” Holly said quietly. She’d always thought that way. Just like her Dad. He had a poem he would say to Holly, and it was one of her favourites.
‘Displaying a dying flower, is really very sad.
Keep it growing in the ground,
And it will be very glad.’
“I think it’s too cliché.” Said Dev. “I mean, he already knows you like him, so why go overboard? And do you get him something if you ask him out?”
“Makes sense.” Said Riss.
“Is it still a done thing to give gifts on dates? There are a few girls in English class who thinks it’s the best part. I don’t think gifts are necessary.” Said Holly. “Why would he need to buy your affection? Wouldn’t saying ‘yes’ to the date be enough?”
“Exactly!” Said Riss. “I went on a date with a guy in sophomore year. He brought me some flowers and chocolate hearts. It was very sweet until the end of the date.”
“What happened?” asked Holly.
“Well… The date was a little awkward to begin with. No spark there. When I got home he tried to kiss me, but I said no. Guess what he said?” Said Riss with annoyance at the memory.
“What?”
“He said, ‘but I brought you flowers and chocolates!’ Like that were an instant pass for some tonsil tennis! I don’t think so.” She snorted. “We never went out again.”
“See?” Dev said. “Cliché. It might have been acceptable a hundred years ago, but oh my God do guys take it for granted. “What do you think, Hol?” she asked.
“I don’t think it’s right that a guy has to give a gift. Like you said Dev, what if he’s the one being asked out, does he still have to buy one, or do you? In the caveman days, when women didn’t really have their own money, then yeah, things were paid for or bought for them. Nowadays, a lot of girls still expect that even though they have their own. It’s like they’re saying ‘My money is for me, and so is yours.’ I think that’s just selfish and disrespectful.”
“That is so true.” Said Kayla, shaking her head.
“Well I guess we’re the few who don’t like date gifts.” Laughed Riss.
“So is everything ok? Do you still get nervous or awkward?” Riss asked Holly.
“It’s great.” She gushed. “It’s mad how I feel a lot more comfortable. It feels…I dunno…”
“Right?” Dev cut in. Holly smiled and nodded. “I’m so, so happy.” Said Dev. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll become my sister!”
Holly froze for a second as Dev sighed.
Married to Alex?
She didn’t think she should be looking that far into the future just yet, but still…she imagined herself there…Alex in a black tux, looking perfectly gorgeous as always. Ben his best man; of course. Dev would be her chief bridesmaid and Em her maid of honour, or whatever they had at weddings. She would wear a long, white, sleeveless dress that tapers in at the waist and then the skirts would flow loosely to the floor…
”Holly! Wake up.” Laughed Dev.
“Sorry, I was a million miles away.” Said Holly.
“Dum dum du dummm.” Dev said as she sang the wedding song. Holly rolled her eyes.
“See you after class.”
“Yeah see you…sis.” Said Dev as she went to the pool area, still giggling.
Holly walked outside and paused when she saw Alex waiting for her. His black track pants fitted him to perfection. The waistband lows on his hips, and his white T-shirt clung to every contour of his chiselled physique.
Holly’s mouth was actually watering.
“Uh…Um…Hi.” She said with a shaky breath.
“Back to that now?” He asked, amused.
“What? No…um…Hang on.” Holly took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Ok. I’m fine.” She said as she approached him.
Alex looked himself over and then back to Holly, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t judge me.” She said, narrowing her eyes, playfully which made him laugh. A throw-your-head-back laugh. Holly giggled too. His laugh was contagious and so…mmm.
He held his arms open and wrapped them around her. Holly wrapped her arms around his waist, and she could feel the firmness of his muscles through his shirt. She moaned lightly.
“Oh ground please swallow me up.” She groaned into his chest. Alex chuckled again. “It’s really not funny.” She said as she was embarrassed for the second time that day but thinking out loud.
“I’m just glad I know, well kind of know, what you’re thinking.” He said.
“Glad?! It’s embarrassing!” She said, still hiding her flaming face.
Alex pulled back so he could look at her, keeping his arms tight around her body.
“I’m glad because whenever you lost your voice, I thought you didn’t like me and didn’t want to talk to me. I’m glad to know it’s because you did.”
“You really thought I didn’t like you?” Holly asked. She lost her voice because she was stunned by his beauty.
“Yeah.” He said, sheepishly.
“I thought you well knew and were just being nice to me because of Dev.” She said.
“Nope.” He said with a twinkle in his eyes. “You drove me crazy from the second we met.” Holly gasped, and as she did Alex kissed her. Stroking his tongue into her mouth, his arms tightening around her. One on her lower back, the other angled up with his fingers finding the back of her head, threading into her hair.
Holly’s hands loosened from around his waist, and she moved them steadily up, over his stomach, his chest, and around his neck. Finally stopping when her fingers tangled into his hair.
His sexy, dark hair…
“Hey break it up, you two!” They heard the coach yell. They pulled apart slightly, breaking their kiss.
“Save that for after school. Now get moving!”
“I think we need to remember where we are in future. Alex laughed.
“That’d be an idea.” Giggled Holly.
They released each other and began to walk around the track, hand-in-hand.
“So…” Holly began. “I was going to tell you about Kyle.”
“Yes you were.”
“He likes Kayla. I don’t know why he won’t tell her.” Alex made a face that said ‘seriously?’.
“Ok, I get it, but when we were at Riss’, he kept looking at her and hovering around her.”
“I saw that too. I’m guessing he’s been like that for a while.” Alex said.
“He has?”
“Yeah. As long as Riss and Ryan. Whenever we bring it up, he dismisses it.”
“That’s not good.” She said, sadly. Holly knew that the others had known each other for years. If Kyle had liked Kayla for as long as Ryan had liked Riss…that couldn’t feel good for him.
Holly knew that Kayla thought Kyle was cute. She’d admitted it when they’d gone over to her house for manicures the first week.
“No it isn’t. So tell me about your ‘scene’.” Alex said.
“Are you really sure you wanna know?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah. I need to prepare myself if I become the butt of the joke.”
“Well ok.” Holly said nervously. She began to tell Alex the shameful story…
“Me, Em, my Mum, and her friend Sarah were out shopping at the supermarket. We went to the medicines aisle to get some painkillers. Anyway, my Mum suddenly shouts ‘Hey Sarah! They’ve got the blueberry flavoured condoms you’ve been after!’”
Alex’s eyes widened and his mouth popped open.
“Oh it gets worse.” Said Holly. “So Sarah says ’No it was pineapple I wanted, but extra large.’ My Mum kicked it up a notch by saying, ‘But these are ribbed and flavoured. You can’t get better than that!’ Our Em was horrified, and she was trying to walk away with me and then Sarah said ‘Em don’t you want to stock up too? There’s some tinglers there.’ Well, my Mum cracked up, Em and I were trying to run away without anybody noticing us.”
Alex looked beyond shocked.
“How old were you?” “I was almost fifteen and Em was twenty. That’s why nothing was said to me… until yesterday.”
“That’s awful.” Alex said whilst trying not to laugh.
“Yes, well, she hasn’t had her fix lately so I’m expecting an all out embarrassment attack.”
“I wouldn’t worry.” He said confidently.
“No?”
“No. Now we can be prepared. We know it’s coming, so don’t rise to it. Fight back instead.”
Holly smiled mischievously.
“A counter attack. I like it.”
As they walked along, Holly spotted Miss. Delaney walking towards the main building. She still didn’t know what Alex had said to her the day she was sent out of the room.
The Phys.Ed building and track were located at the rear of the school in a separate structure. The languages classes were to the back of the main building off one of the wings, in an ‘L’ shape. To get to the front of the building, it was the norm to cut across the courtyard or ‘recess’ area.
“When I had the run in with her…” Holly said, gesturing to Delaney. “What did you say to her?” Holly noticed that Alex’s face flushed slightly. His flawless olive skin, tinted pink.
“Um…I said that if she ever treats you that way again I will, personally, have her suspended and I’ll tell the principal everything.”
“What happened? Did she do something to you?” asked Holly. Her anger rising at the thought of this woman doing anything to Alex.
My Alex.
“No.” He said and Holly felt relieved. “But I saw her doing something to someone else.”
“What?!” Holly almost snorted.
“Last year…” He said and looked around to make sure nobody was within earshot “…One of the seniors, Callum Jones, was taking Delaney’s Spanish class to gain the extra credits he needed because of some sports scholarship. Anyway, I was walking down the hallway and I was trying to hide from Stacey.” Holly’s anger flared again at the mention of her name. “I tried the door to one of the storerooms near the Spanish class and there was Delaney on her knees… and she wasn’t praying.” He said with his eyebrows lifted.
Holly was shocked.
“Callum and Delaney?” Alex nodded his head. “Oh my God! What happened then?” she asked.
“Callum begged me not to say anything, because he could lose his scholarship. He told me he was using Delaney to get extra marks, and she didn’t mind at all.”
“So he willingly went with a teacher?” Holly asked, incredulously.
“Yeah. Now he’s in college with his scholarship, but she could still get suspended, or even fired over it. It’ll also be on her permanent record.”
“That’s just horrible.” Said Holly. Disgusted that a teacher wold abuse their position of trust.
“I’d never mentioned it again until I saw you outside her room. When I saw how she was ‘teaching’ you I got angry, but I didn’t want to drag you into it. That’s why I spoke in Spanish to her.”
Holly smiled, her heart warming.
“You stuck up for me.” She said as she beamed at him.
“Of course. I couldn’t let her get way with acting like that to my girl.” Alex stopped walking and held Holly’s other hand too. As they faced each other he leant down and kissed her softly then rested his forehead against hers.
“I really like you Holly.” He said in an almost whisper.
“I really like you too.” She replied.
“That’s a relief.” He chuckled. He straightened up, and they carried on walking. “So tonight.” He said. “Anywhere in particular you want to go?”
“To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. Anywhere there aren’t many people… Just in case.” She said shyly as he grinned.
“I hear ya.”
They both laughed at their earlier ‘scene’. The coach had gotten a good look at them locking lips.
Alex was having the best phys.ed class of his life! He was on the track with Holly. Ok, they were walking instead of running but they were actually spending time alone and talking! Listening to her talk about her Mum’s outburst at the store had been funny. Shocking, but funny.
He’d taken in every detail of Holly’s face as she told him about it. The way she would blink quickly when the details got a little too much, the way her eyes would widen and she shook her head as if even she couldn’t believe what she was saying.
He’d fought himself with the need to touch her, kiss her… He wanted to listen to her but her lips were calling out to him. Her whole body was calling out to him. He’d never felt such desire in his life.
The need for one person.
The need so intense it was in every breath he took. The way Holly looked at him; he could see she felt it too. Like she was stopping herself from doing something. She would look at him, take a deep breath and her fists would clench.
When he’d thought it was because she didn’t like him, which he now knew was stupid, he would feel bad. But, because she did…the feeling intensified and spread through his entire being in huge waves and settling, mostly, in the southern area that got uncomfortable within their confines of fabric.
“Oh I forgot to mention.” He said. He was feeling a little braver now. Seeing Holly had been checking him out earlier and he didn’t think she would mind if she knew he was…
“What?” she asked, looking up at him with her big green eyes.
Alex swallowed before grinning.
“You may wear a loose T-shirt, but I know what’s underneath. I could feel it.” He waggled his eyebrows and ran off.
“Hey!” Holly shouted in surprise.
Alex was laughing as he ran. Holly tried to catch him, but he was too fast.
Finally, he slowed but Holly didn’t. She ran at him and jumped on his back.
“Hey!” he laughed as reached around to the side to grab her arms.
“Aagh!” She squealed as he pulled her to the floor. He lowered himself enough so that she wasn’t hurt when she landed. Alex quickly pinned her arms down.
“You’re scarily good at that.” Holly panted.
“I’m used to being ambushed by Dev.” He said as he placed his knees either side of her legs. Alex looked down at her body. Her loose T-shirt, now clinging to her breasts, the material settling on her toned stomach. Alex’s heart was thumping in his chest like a jackhammer.
His body tensed, and he was… hard.
Holly watched Alex as his eyes were roaming over her body, and she liked it. She’d always worn baggy clothing because she felt uncomfortable when people looked at her. But when Alex did, it made her hot.
She could feel the tightening of her nipples and her body begging for more than a glance. Her hips seemed to want to lift off the floor to make contact, and she was using all of her control to keep them steady.
Holly licked her lips and swallowed hard, as Alex looked into her eyes. His pupils were so huge; his eyes were darker than before.
“I… Um… think I should get up.” He said before he swallowed. Alex moved off of Holly and sat on the floor. His arms resting atop his bent knees. He had his hands curled over each other with his mouth resting against them.
“Are you ok?” Holly asked with concern…and raging hormones.
Alex looked embarrassed.
“I just need a minute.” He said. “And a cold shower, maybe an ice bath.”
“Ohhh.” Said Holly with recognition and a blush.
I did that!
Her lady parts did a happy dance.
“You two are supposed to be exercising!” The coach said as he appeared.
“Cramp.” Said Holly. “And I have a stitch.”
“Well ok, but get back to it real soon. Class is almost over.” He said.
“Will do.” Holly replied.
“That could have been embarrassing, well, more than it already is.” Alex mumbled.
“It’s nice to see it’s not just me.” Holly said, happily.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m always embarrassing myself, and I’ve not seen it happen to you until now.” She said with a smirk. “I was getting a little self-conscious.”
“Are you kidding? I can barely walk straight when I’m with you, or even in the same room, and I have to think about sports.” He said in surprise.
“Really?” Holly said quietly. Unable to take in that this gorgeous, sexy guy had gotten that way because of her. Alex nodded, and his cheeks flushed again.
Holly thought about the times in class when Alex would shift in his seat, or even at the lunch table. He would sit forward and lean his on his elbows and…
”Oh I get it now.” She said, mostly to herself.
“Get what?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Yes it is. What do you get?” He asked, narrowing his eyes with humour.
“You…sometimes fidget in your seat, and you tend to lean forward onto the table like you’re sitting now.
Alex dropped his head and laughed.
“Oh my God, that’s so shameful. You must think I’m a perv.”
“Not at all.” She replied.
“No?” He asked, doubtful.
“No.” She said and took a deep breath before slowly releasing. She closed her eyes for a second.
“If that makes you a perv, then so am I.” Her face reddened.
Alex dropped his head back and grinned.
“What?” Holly laughed nervously. She didn’t know what he was going to say to that, but she had a feeling it would play havoc with her hormones.
Alex shook his head a little.
“It’s amazing that only a few days ago, we barely spoke to each other and now…” He paused “…We’re talking about how we react to each other.”
“Yeah, what a difference a day makes.” She said.
“And to think…” He continued with an innocent look on his face “…if you hadn’t kissed me yesterday…” Holly playfully swiped at his arm.
“Hey! I distinctly remember you almost kissed me before that!”
“Yeah, but you’re Dad walked in and interrupted me.” He said. “I was being a good boy but then you just kissed me in front of everybody!” He said with a hand on his chest.
Holly could see that Alex was trying hard not to laugh.
“Oh my God!” Holly squealed. “It was not just me!” She said with a shocked laugh. “Ok, I might have started it, but you kissed me back at the same time.”
“Yes. I did.” Alex said as he leaned towards her. His voice in a low tone that made Holly’s hairs stand on end. Her cheeks flushed, and her breath hitched. She swallowed.
“Don’t do that.” She said quietly.
“Why?” He said in the same tone as before.
“Stop it Alex.” Holly said, but her breathy tone didn’t sound convincing.
He grinned.
“This is interesting.” He said as he saw her cheeks flush even more.
All he had to do was talk quietly and closely, and she was gone. He loved watching how she reacted to things he did. Text messages that got a little personal, winking at her from across the room. Even just smiling at her, he could sense a change in her. He had noticed them before, but he was so blind to her feelings that he dismissed them.
Alex watched Holly’s eyes as her pupils dilated. She was as turned on as he was. That, however, don’t mean that they were ready. They hadn’t been on their first date yet, plus, didn’t know how she would feel about being a couple. That thought reminded him about what happened in homeroom. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out…
”Dev said you were my girlfriend, and I agreed.”
Oh shit!
“Huh?” Holly replied, seemingly coming out of her own trance.
Alex cleared his throat.
“This morning, in homeroom, Dev told her you’re my girlfriend and I agreed with her. I should have said something earlier. I don’t want you to think I’m just assuming, or rushing you.” He said quickly. He wanted to explain to her before she could say anything.
“Is that want you want?” she asked. Her question threw him for a second, and he answered truthfully.
“Of course. More than anything. But, we haven’t been on our date yet.” He looked to her for some reaction and all he saw was her beautiful smiling face.
“Does that matter to you?”
“No. But I thought it may matter to you.” He said. Holly shook her head. Alex was relieved.
“So… You’re my girlfriend?” He smiled, eyebrows raised with anticipation. He just wanted to confirm that Holly was his, and he was hers. Even though she owned him the first day she walked into his life. Holly sighed.
“It’ll be hard but if I must, then ok.” She giggled as Alex choked on air at her reference, then laughed.
He reached out his hand to her face as she leaned in, pressing their lips together. Alex let out a low growl.
”Football, baseball, soccer, cricket…” Holly hid her mouth behind her hands as she chuckled.
Alex took a deep breath and stood. He shook out his legs, as did Holly. They walked hand-in-hand, into the building, for their cold showers.
“How was your run?” Dev asked Holly as the group met outside the changing areas.
“Actually, it was very informative.” Said Holly as Alex walked up and took her hand.
His hair was wet from the shower, freshly mussed and sexy. Holly wanted to run her fingers through it.
“A run informative?” asked Dev, confused.
“Yes. You can ask my boyfriend. I think he would agree.” Holly said with a huge smile. She looked up at Alex, and he was beaming down at her.
“Officially?” Squeaked Dev.
“Yes.” Alex said with pride in his voice as he pulled Holly close to him. His strong arm held her tight.
“Eeeeee!” Dev said in a high pitched tone of excitement. “That is soooo awesome!” She said with her hands on her heart. “But what do you mean informative?” Trust Dev to get back to the details.
Alex leant to whisper in Holly’s ear and she gasped in shock.
“Do I really want to know?” asked Dev.
“Um…I’d rather not say” Holly said as she chewed on her lip, her face flushed.
Dev narrowed her eyes at Alex, and then turned to inform the others that they were officially a couple.
“What’s the matter babe?” Alex asked, innocently.
“I can’t believe you said that!” Holly whispered.
“What?”
“You know what, mister.”
“I just said I know how to get you hot.” He said as he stifled a laugh.
“Exactly!” Holly said, trying to keep her voice down.
“I meant running. Running gets you hot. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do for Phys.Ed?” He smiled.
“You did not mean that and you know it.” She said, shaking her head but smiling with disbelief.
He leant right in, his lips so close to her ear she could feel their heat.
“No. I didn’t, babe.”
“Oh dear God!” She squeaked, and saw that everybody had turned to them.
“We were going to congratulate you, but we can see you’re a little busy.” Said Ben.
“I think you need to stop whatever you’re doing Alex.” Laughed Ryan. “Holly looks like she’s going to faint!”
“Leave them alone, Ryan, or…” Said Riss and she whispered something in his ear.
“Sorry.” He said, immediately and made the motion of zipping his mouth.
“Congrats dude” Ben said as he walked alongside them. “I’m happy for you both.” He said as he clapped Alex on the back.
“Thanks, Man.”
“Ok, let’s blow this joint!” shouted Kyle as they left the building and entered the parking lot.
Students were standing around talking and pointing…at Holly’s car.
The windscreen had been smashed, the tyres slashed and the word ‘Bitch’ scratched into the bonnet.
“What the fuck?!” Shouted Alex. They walked to the car to see the full extent of the damage.
“I’ll call the police” Said Dev.
Holly was in shock at what had happened to her car.
“Babe, I’m so sorry.” Said Alex. “This is my fault.” This woke Holly from her frozen state.
“How? How is it your fault? Don’t blame yourself for the actions of a psychopath!”
Alex looked as though he had tears in his eyes. Holly was furious seeing what this had done to him.
“You couldn’t have known.” She said, putting her hands on either side of his face. “She was delusional, yes, but I don’t think anybody knew she would do this. Even Cerise walked away from her.” She said as she looked into his eyes.
“How can you be so calm?” He asked.
“Because I’m not letting her win. She thinks damaging my car will suddenly break us up?” Holly asked.
“That’s not happening, ever.” Alex said.
Holly was relieved. Nothing was going to separate them. It hurt even to think about it.
“That’s good, because I’m not going anywhere.” She smiled.
He tightened his arms around her. The principal came running out of the building as the police showed up.
"Holy hell!” Said Mr. Lawson. “Holly, are you alright?”
“Yes sir, I’m fine.” She said as she was tucked into Alex’s chest.
“I’m sorry this happened, Holly. We have CCTV so we’ll see who was responsible.”
“Thanks sir. I’ve got a pretty good idea though.”
The officers walked over to Holly and Alex.
“We’ve been informed that this is your vehicle miss.” Said the officer. He was almost as tall as Alex, about forty-ish with a no-nonsense air about him.
“Can you tell me the events leading up to finding your vehicle in this condition?”
Holly, Alex and Dev all recounted the incident in homeroom. When Stacey’s name was mentioned, the officers looked at each other in recognition.
“She said ‘you’ll pay for this’?”
“Yes sir.” Said Alex.
”One of my staff have just viewed the CCTV footage.” Said Mr. Lawson as he put his phone away. “It was Stacey Scutter.”
“We’ll need to view the footage. Said the officer.
“Certainly, this way.” Said Mr. Lawson and he led the officer, along with Holly, Alex, and Dev, inside the building.
“I can’t believe she did this.” Said Dev as she walked along the hallway.
Alex had his arm around Holly’s shoulder, and her arm was around his waist. He squeezed her, gently, closer to him.
“I’m going to get a protection order for all of us.” He said. “I don’t want her anywhere near either of you.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Said Dev. “With her doing this, I doubt she’ll be allowed back here. We won’t know where to look.”
Listening to what they were saying, Holly felt as if she were coming apart. Her breaths were becoming short and quick. Her heart rate was increasing. The thought of Stacey coming back and going after Alex…
“Holly!” Said Alex.
“Shit!” Said Dev as she looked at Holly’s face.
Holly knew it would be white. That’s what happened when she started to panic.
“If she…hurts you…” She said. “I can’t…I won’t…” Holly’s breaths came faster. “…I don’t know…” more erratic breathing. “…What I’ll do.” Holly began to hyperventilate.
“What’s happening?” asked an officer.
“Panic attack.” Said Alex. He was frantic with worry. He picked Holly up and carried her quickly down the hallway and through the doorway into the principals office. He sat her into a chair and kneeled in front of her.
“We need to get her to control her breathing.” Said the officer. “Have you dealt with this before?”
“Yes.” Said Dev. As Alex kneeled in front of Holly, his hands cupped her face.
“Holly.” He said, gently. “Baby…breath.” Holly was gasping for breath, her hands grasping the arms of the chair, knuckles turning white. Tears were starting to roll down her cheeks.
“Oh my God.” Said Dev and Alex saw that she was tearing up too.
Alex rubbed his thumbs across Holly’s cheekbones.
“Shh, babe. Breathe for me. Take deep breaths.” He said quietly. Alex was on the verge of a panic attack himself. Holly, his Holly had gotten so upset because of Stacey. She did this to her.
Holly saw the worry on Alex’s face, and she finally started to find her breath.
“That’s it babe. Deep breaths.” He said.
As her breathing evened out, she let go of the chair and raised her hand to stroke down Alex’s face.
“You had me worried.” He whispered.
“If she touches you, even one strand of hair…” Said Holly. Thoughts of Stacey hurting Alex had sent her into a full blown panic attack, and Alex had somehow brought her out of it… again.
“She won’t, babe. I’ll get the order, and she won’t be able to come near us again.
“Here’s the footage.” Said Mr. Lawson. They all turned to the screen and sure enough; Stacey appeared with a golf club and what looked like a switch blade.
First, she stabbed all of the tyres.
She walked around to the passenger side of the car and then swung the golf club down onto the windscreen. Glass exploded everywhere, and Stacey’s head snapped to the side as if she’d been hit. She then walked to the front of the car and, with her switch blade, scratched ‘BITCH’ into the bonnet.
Stacey picked up her golf club and ran off. “It’s a wonder she didn’t try to disguise herself.” Said the officer.
“We had this system installed at the weekend. Students were not made aware of the external CCTV.” Said Mr. Lawson.
The officers asked for a copy of the footage and contact details for Holly and Alex. They were going to have a team sent to take photographic evidence of the car and then transport it to a garage for repairs.
The atmosphere was tense on the ride home.
“If she touches you, I’ll have to hurt her.” Said Holly.
“Me too.” Said Dev. “She’s completely lost it. Who the fuck does that?”
“Crazy people.” Said Alex, coldly. “How did I not see this coming?” Alex was so frustrated.
Stacey had been chasing and harassing him for the past two years, since she started at New Haven. She’d moved one from another school after moving from San Francisco and made a play for him straight away. She’d been through the football team within the first six months and that was just what people knew about.
“Nobody knew, Alex.” Said Dev. “We thought she was obsessed with you, yes, but we didn’t think she’d do this.”
“But look what happened! Look what she did to Holly’s car!” He said, raining his voice. He took a deep breath to try to calm himself down. There was a long silence in the car.
“Guys…” Dev said gently, sitting herself in the centre seat, leaning into the space between the front seats. “Please don’t let this split you up.”
Alex and Holly turned to each other.
“Never gonna happen” they said at the same time and they smiled as they held hands.
“Thank God! You guys love each other way too much to let her win.”
Alex noticed when Holly’s eyes widened at what Dev had said. He thought that Dev had spilled his secret but had she spilled a secret of Holly’s too?
Does she love me? No, she can’t…Can she?
“Oh shit.” Dev whispered. “You guys know that’s just a figure of speech, right?”
“Yeah.” Said Holly.
“Yeah, sure.” Said Alex as he quickly glanced to the side at Holly. She turned to look at him. He squeezed her hand and gave her a wink.
Holly masked her smile by biting her lip as she looked away. She adjusted their hands so that their fingers interlocked and squeezed him back.