Holly woke up in the morning and, this time, she actually did have a migraine. She felt so sick that she couldn’t get out of her bed.
“Holly, love, are you up?” Kim asked as she knocked on her bedroom door.
“I’ve got a migraine Mum. I feel sick.” She replied which had her Mum coming in.
Her bedroom was a square, but the door was in the area that was diagonal to the rest of the room. Kind of like it’s own little hallway.
Walking through the door, the closet was to the right, separated by a narrow wall that she had all of her reminders and photos pinned onto a cork board that hung there. Next to the closet was her own bathroom, with a shower. It was quite small, but big enough not to feel cramped.
Her double bed, was on the wall to the right, the light wood a nice contrast to the red walls. Holly had put up some white, long stem flower murals either side of the bed that reached almost to the ceiling, and another two on the wall to the foot.
Her vanity table that was called a dressing table back home, held a silk daffodil in a crystal vase, hers and her Dads’ favourite flower. Her full length mirror stood in the corner to the right of the dresser, next to the window. Holly loved her room. She would spend hours in there, looking through old photographs of her Dad. Some with both Holly and her Dad, and some that included Emily, her older sister.
Holly was nine when her Dad was hit by a drunk driver. She’d been walking with him when the driver had clipped the kerb and had headed straight for them. Her Dad, James, had pushed Holly out of the path of the car and was hit head on. He’d died instantly, leaving Holly screaming on the ground.
It had been her birthday.
The last thing her Dad had given her was a platinum necklace with a daffodil pendant that was a birthday gift that day. His last words before the car had hit…
”I love you, my precious girl.”
Holly wiped the tears from her cheeks as her Mum reached her bed.
“Oh, baby girl, what’s wrong?” Her Mum’s voice full of concern as she sat down and pulled Holly into a hug.
“I have a huge migraine and I feel like I’m going to be sick” She replied.
“That doesn’t normally make you cry though love.” Her Mum added as she stroked her hair.
“I was just thinking about the old photos I have of my Dad. I know it’s been years, but I still miss him so much.”
“I know you do love. We all do. He’d be so proud of you, you know. What you’ve achieved, where you are. The amazing things you have done to the garden, all by yourself. You’re so much like him, baby girl, and I see him in you every day.”
Her Mum leant down to kiss Holly’s forehead before standing up.
“I have to go to work, but you should stay home today. You’re just getting used to a new country as well as a new school. I’m sure the principal will understand you having the day off.”
Holly nodded as her Mum left, then got out her phone to send a text to Dev…
H: Huge, HUGE, migraine. I feel really sick so I’ll be staying home today. Will see you tomorrow. X
Dev replied instantly. The concern obvious in her text.
D: God! Are you ok? Do you need to see a doctor? My Mom could call in, if you want. She’s taken a day off today. Do you want me to send her?
Holly chuckled at Dev’s panicky message.
H: Thanks, but I’ll be ok. Probably just the stress of the move and new school. I’ll just stay in and rest. I’ll be back tomorrow. X
D: Ok. But let me know if you need anything. Oh, Alex says Hi.:)
H: I will. Tell him I said Hi too. :) X
Holly hadn’t met Alex, yet, but she was sure he’d be a good person, like Dev. He had to be if he were her twin. She’d meet the rest of the group Monday.
Yes, definitely Monday.
She’d give herself another day before including herself with the guys of the group, even if she had to go to lunch by herself. The girls would understand, because they knew Holly wasn’t used to hanging out in a large group, and they were ok with it. Even Dev had suggested they take the first week, by going to lunch elsewhere, to ease into it. They hadn’t tried to pressure her at all and she was grateful for that.
Holly had met one of the group, Ben, and he seemed nice. He’d spoken to her in A.Calc, when the teacher had introduced her, and he said that he was Alex’s, friend. He didn’t try to force any conversation and the little chat that they had, hadn’t been completely awkward. In fact, she actually felt quite comfortable with him.
I hope they’re all like him.
If Alex were anything like Ben, then she’d probably get along with him too.
Ok, maybe getting to know them all tomorrow may not be such a bad idea.
Holly pulled the covers over her head and went back to sleep.
Holly got to school early again and not long after, Dev walked into homeroom.
“Hi Holly! How are you feeling today? We were all worried about you. Alex asked me if you were ok.”
That was nice of him to ask; considering he hadn’t met her yet. Well, she was a friend of his twin sister after all.
“Yeah, I’m good actually. I really needed the rest though. I slept until the afternoon.”
Holly had actually slept that long. It was 12:30 when she woke up and she only got out of bed because she really needed a shower, and her stomach was complaining of starvation.
“I was thinking…maybe I could meet the others today. I’ve already met Ben anyway, so maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Besides, I have the weekend to recover” Holly said with a chuckle.
“Damn! That would have been awesome! Alex told me, this morning, that they were going to go out today too. You know, because we were. I could text him and ask him to change his plans…” Dev said as she reached into her bag for her phone.
“No it’s ok. I don’t want them to change their plans just because of me. We’ll wait until Monday. Anyway, I’ll probably see your brother later, when I go to your house.”
“He usually goes to the gym on Fridays so you may see him just before he leaves.”
“Ok, well, I’ll see him then.”
Mrs. Carter walked into the room with a stack of forms and gave them out to the front of the class.
“Hand these out please.” She said to Jake.
Jake went round the room handing out, what looked like a letter, and winked at her as he placed hers on the table. Holly heard a snort coming from behind them.
Stacey.
She must have seen what Jake had done and was making her distaste known.
“Ignore her” Dev whispered. “She gets jealous when guys pay attention to any girl that isn’t her.”
Holly just shook her head in disbelief and picked up the letter.
Dear students
As you know, the faculty has decided on a schedule change. We believe that the previous system was a little outdated and, at times, confusing for some students. The changes in place are as follows:-
All student chosen studies are numbered in the spaces. See the diagram for an example.
Number 1 is AP Calculus; Number 2 is AP Biology etc. Therefore, number 1 on the schedule is at 11:40am Mondays and Thursdays. If any student has none of their chosen studies in a time slot, congratulations, you have a free period. Use it wisely.
For the remainder of the regular classes, they will be grouped together. Previously, we had three groups who had their English classes on different days and times. Now, they will be all at the same time, but split into three groups. Some subjects require a short test to determine the designated group for you.
Due to these changes, last semesters grades, and test scores will be used to determine your group. The results will be given out on Monday morning, during homeroom.
We hope you enjoy the change.
Good luck.
P. Lawson
Principal
That was just great. Holly knew that this could potentially put her into more classes with Hot-guy. She’d only had one class with him that week, and already she was a mess! She couldn’t even imagine going into class on Monday morning with him there. She wouldn’t have an escape if her heart decided to burst from her chest like an alien.
Maybe she was overreacting. It wasn’t as if he could just sit next to her and strike up conversation…Or was it?
Holly began to breathe a little quicker than usual. Her pulse racing.
“This could be fun.” Dev said from beside her. Unaware of the emotional turmoil that Holly was going through.
Yeah, she was overreacting a little bit…a lot.
“We could end up with more classes together! That would be so great!” Dev was excited for the changes, but Holly couldn’t think about it right now.
At least she had the weekend to prepare herself.
I have to get through today first.
When homeroom was over, Dev said goodbye to Holly and left for her A.Bio class as Holly walked in the other direction for her social studies class.
As all of the students were walking ahead of her, she could just about see through the mass of bodies. She felt a shiver down her spine before the group directly in front of her changed direction to go into a room.
Holly immediately saw him.
Hot-guy was standing next to the lockers, and he looked as if he were looking around for somebody. Thinking that he wasn’t going to notice her walking past and embarrassing herself by blushing, she continued heading for her class.
Holly glanced up at him just as he made eye contact with her, and was full of panic as she saw recognition there. Hot-guy stopped looking around and stared at her for a few seconds before he began walking in her direction. He’d been looking for her!
Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God! She thought to herself, over and over again.
Holly didn’t know what to do as she couldn’t go back because she’d be late for class, and the door she was trying to get to, was a few feet ahead of him.
Holly dropped her head and moved her feet as fast she could, without falling on her face, to avoid him. She realised when he had gotten closer to her when she heard his voice.
“Hey Holly”.
Holly let out a strangled “Hey” as she carried on walking.
“Are you ok?” he asked as he rushed to catch up with her.
Holly took a deep breath as the sound of his voice floated over her, sending tingles to the depth of her very soul.
Holly meant to say yes, but her tongue was currently having a seizure.
“Um…I…I…” she took another breath. “Gotta go” she managed as she gratefully turned into her class.
Holly sat in her seat and looked down to her desk, not daring to look in the direction of the door.
Alex was left standing in the hallway wondering what the hell had just happened. He stared at Holly, who’s face was turning pink, as she was looking down at her desk. She didn’t look back at him, but there was nothing he could do because the teacher chose that moment to walk past him into the room. He turned to close the door, stopping to look at Alex who was still standing there. Then slowly closed the door in his face.
Alex walked to class wondering what he could’ve done to make Holly act that way with him. Dev had said ‘Holly says Hi’ when she was texting her yesterday, when she was ill.
He’d been worried something was wrong when Dev had told him that she had a migraine. If she had told him ‘Hi’ then why was she acting that way now?
Ben had said that she was cool and Dev liked her a lot. He wondered if it were just him that she didn’t like, because she always seemed to be running in the opposite direction to avoid him.
Alex had told Dev that he and the guys were going to go out of school for lunch that day. That wasn’t true though. He’d said that, on the chance that the girls would stay in school, in case Holly was going out of school to avoid him.
I’ll be meeting her for lunch. Then, I can find out what’s going on.
“Dude you’re late” Ben said as Alex took his seat next to him. “Where did you go?”
“I…uh…waited for Holly. I just wanted to say ‘Hi’ and see how she was after being ill yesterday.” Alex replied, not looking Ben in the eye.
“And…?” Ben asked, a little smirk playing in the corners of his mouth.
Alex blew out a breath of frustration.
“She wouldn’t talk to me. I asked her whether she was ok, and she just said ‘I gotta go’ and then walked into her class. She didn’t even look at me when I spoke to her.”
Alex felt a little sick himself then. He had no idea what Holly thought or why she was acting that way.
“Maybe she’s just shy” Ben said with a shrug.
“Yeah, well, she talks to you.” Alex practically spat. He didn’t like feeling jealous of his best friend, but right then, he did. He’d gotten to speak to Holly in A.Calc class.
“Not much though. I only said hi to her and that I was your friend. I asked her how long she’d been here, and she said almost four weeks now. She lives with her Mom and Step-Dad, but I guess Dev already told you that. Anyway, she wasn’t overly conversational. She was still pretty shy. Maybe it’s just you, dude.” Ben grinned.
“What do you mean? I haven’t done anything!” Alex whisper shouted.
He didn’t want to attract any attention to himself in the class. Stacey was already shooting him some serious ‘fuck me’ eyes and he wanted to vomit. He didn’t want her to overhear him talking about Holly.
“It’s not what you have done, it’s you. You are the resident beefcake round here. Maybe you just scared her off.” Ben snorted a laugh that he couldn’t hold back and Alex narrowed his eyes at him.
He secretly hoped Holly liked him, but the way she avoided him didn’t make sense if she did. Ben leant on his elbow and faced Alex, giving him a little ‘stare down’.
“What?” Alex said when Ben pursed his lips to stop himself from smiling.
“Nothing, dude. Absolutely nothing.” Ben replied before turning back to the teacher.
“I think she’s avoiding me because she doesn’t like me” Alex said suddenly as they got to their next class.
“Are you still on that?” asked Ben, shaking his head.
“Why else would she avoid me? I mean, I spoke to her, and she took off. She practically ran away from me.”
“Yeah well, she’s a tiny thing. Maybe your towering over her freaked her out.”
Alex knew Ben was just being a smart-ass. It was a running joke with them, Alex’s height, because he was two inches taller than the other guys, and he seemed to be more muscular too. So he tended to look bigger all over. Ben was closer to his size than Ryan and Kyle, but still a little smaller.
“You’re so funny.” Alex said sarcastically as his so-called best friend cracked up laughing. “I told Dev that we weren’t going to our table for lunch today.”
“Why did you do that?” Ben asked, confused.
They’d always eaten lunch with the girls, until Holly started. Dev had told him they’d been going out because they wanted Holly to feel completely comfortable with the girls first, before introducing her to the boys.
“Because if Holly is avoiding me, then if they think we’re not going to sit with them, which we are, they won’t have to leave.”
“That’s not cool, man.” Ben said with a little shake of his head. “What if it goes completely wrong and she freaks? Did you think of that?”
Alex was ashamed to admit that he hadn’t thought of that. The only thing going through his head was that he wanted to know what was going on. If she were there, at the same time as he was, he could find out. Now, though, he felt like an ass.
“No I didn’t. Look, if she’s doing it because she has something against me, then I won’t say any more about it.”
Ben pulled his lips between his teeth as if he were stopping himself from smiling, or laughing. Alex sighed and dropped his head down.
“Go ahead”
Alex knew Ben was wanting to say something. Something that would potentially piss Alex off, but Ben would find amusing.
“I was just going to say that you want her to have ‘something’ against you.” Then, Ben snorted a laugh, earning him a glare from the teacher.
Alex’s eyes snapped to Ben in surprise.
That’s exactly what I want
Alex’s hormonal teenage brain was completely breaking out from it’s dormancy.
Well…shit
As the class came to a close, and lunchtime was upon them, Alex’s heart rate increased at the chance meeting with Holly. He was to be disappointed though. He, and Ben, walked outside to see Ryan and Kyle sitting there…alone.
“I think your plan backfired dude.” Said Ben and Alex turned to scowl at him.
He’d lost out now, but he would get his chance again. Even if he had to ditch class. Alex had wondered where those thoughts were coming from, as ditching wasn’t an idea that he would have entertained. He tried to tell himself that it was because he just wanted to know what was going on, and he would be ‘over it’ soon.
Yeah right.
He had a strong feeling that he wouldn’t. Besides, Dev had said it was just for this week and, of course, he would see her in class on Monday. Even with the changes, they were both in advanced English so their class together wouldn’t change.
Dejected, he took his seat at the table, earning stares from the guys.
Holly and Dev met up with Riss and Kayla in the parking lot of the school.
“Let’s go to the café a couple of blocks away.” Suggested Riss. “They have the best cheesy fries I have ever tasted in my life.”
Riss’s enthusiasm for her ‘fries’ had Holly laughing.
“I’ve never seen somebody so passionate about chips before” she giggled.
“Chips? No they’re fries.” Riss corrected her.
“Sorry. In England, we call fries ‘chips’ and potato chips ‘crisps’.” Holly explained.
“Ohhhh.” Said Riss as she understood Holly’s wording.
“Anyway, you’ll love them.”
“Settled. To café ‘cheesy fries’!” Holly said in an American accent, sending the girls into fits of laughter.
Once at the café, Riss and Kayla took a quick bathroom break, leaving Holly and Dev alone at their table.
“Ok…spill.” Said Dev, resting her elbow on the table. “And I don’t want to hear ‘nothing’” She added with a raise of her eyebrows.
“Spill what?” Holly tried to sound indifferent, but it wasn’t getting past Dev, at all.
“I know there’s something up. I may have only known you for a week, but you’ve gotten this…look…and it’s been getting gradually worse every day. I’m getting the feeling it was the main cause of your migraine yesterday.”
Wow, this girl was perceptive! Scarily so. Holly’s stress levels had been increasing each day. Every time she saw Hot-guy, her pulse would be racing so fast, it could rival a humming birds, her face would flame and her skin would break out in goosebumps and send tingles to her ‘parts’.
Holly let out a huff and told Dev all about the guy she said was cute and how he had been looking for her that day. She left out the parts about how he makes her feel, and how he renders her tongue useless.
“Do you know his name yet?” Dev asked as she leant forward, keeping their conversation private.
“No. I haven’t heard anybody call out to him either, so I have no idea who he is. I’ve had one class with him so far and, If I’d come in yesterday, we would’ve been in the same class again.” Holly said quickly as she saw Riss and Kayla come out of the bathrooms.
“Ok, well, if you see him around school, point him out and I’ll tell you if I know him.”
Holly nodded her head as the girls came to sit down.
Riss was right. The café had the best cheesy ‘fries’ she had ever eaten, and Riss had a huge smile on her face, knowing she was right.
When the girls got back to school, Holly had a free period. Not all of them were for Spanish class though. She had them twice a week, but today was free. Since her free period was at the end of school, she was going home. A few new saplings were going to be delivered today, and Holly was eager to get them planted around the covered outdoor seating area in the garden. Plus, she’d promised to go food or ‘grocery’ shopping with her Mum too.
“I’ll be over at your house at four.” She’d told Dev, as she dropped her back at the main entrance to the school.
Alex walked to class, in a bad mood, and met Dev as she sat in her seat.
“What’s up Alex? You look pissed!” Dev said as she scanned his face.
“Where were you at lunch?” he asked, not answering her question.
“We went to the café, a few blocks away, why?”
“Because me and the guys were going to go out, but I changed my mind. We went outside, and you weren’t there.”
“I told you…” Dev reminded him “…that we were going out this week. Actually, we would have had lunch with you guys, Holly even said she would, but you already told me you made plans to go out yourselves. So…we went out.”
Fuck! Stupid stupid!
His plan had backfired on him and had bitten him in the ass for good measure. Knowing that Holly was going to be there, and he’d said that the guys weren’t, so they’d gone out anyway.
Idiot.
“Look, Alex, I know you haven’t met Holly yet, actually I think only Ben has, but you will.”
Alex looked at Dev in confusion. He had met her. Why would Dev think that he hadn’t?
“She doesn’t know who I am?”
He thought that was better than coming out with ‘I have met her, but she keeps avoiding me’.
“I don’t think so, because she hasn’t mentioned you, other than saying ‘Hi’ in my text. I’m pretty sure she would have said she had.”
Maybe that’s why Holly had been avoiding him! She probably thought he was just some other guy trying to harass her rather than her friends’ brother just wanting to say Hi. Yeah right. Just Hi. Of course. Not the fact that you want to touch her face, kiss her sweet lips…
Alex ran a hand over his face as his overactive mind was picturing him with Holly…Her eyes looking into his…Her mouth moving to his…
Alex realized he’d been zoning out when he heard Dev say
“…Anyway, she’ll be over after school, about four.”
“Over where?” he asked as he hadn’t caught anything of what she’d said previously.
“Our house. I’m helping Holly with her Spanish, and she’s going to help me with my algebra.”
Alex’s stomach flipped as his insides were doing a crazy happy dance.
Holly’s coming over to our house? Today?
He instantly knew that he wouldn’t be going to the gym now. He wasn’t going to mention anything to Dev, because he didn’t want her to know that he felt something for Holly. He’d only unofficially met her a few days ago and he was confused about his feelings enough as it was.
Once class was finished, Alex and Dev drove home. Ben had gone to help his Dad so it was just the two of them.
Once in the house, Alex sent the guys a text, as they were all supposed to be training together. He didn’t want to group text, incase Ben decided to mention a certain someone… So he sent the same message to the three of them.
A: I’m not going to the gym today. Decided to stay at home. See you tomorrow.
B: Does this have anything to do with a certain tiny girl?
There it was. He wouldn’t hear the end of it if Ryan had gotten that text.
A: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
R: Are you giving us a chance to catch up to your guns? :D
A: Dream on XD
K: No worries. See you tomorrow.
“Have a good workout” Dev said as she went up to her room.
“Thanks” he called back as he walked into the kitchen.
He reached into the fridge to grab a bottle of water when Dev came back, bouncing in as Evie, their Mom, walked in.
“Oh Mom, Holly’s coming over soon to study.”
“Ok honey. Make sure you leave room for dinner.” Their Mom said as Dev grabbed some chips and drinks.
“I will.” Dev disappeared from the kitchen and ran upstairs again.
“Cómo estuvo la escuela hoy, cariño?” His Mom asked.
“School was good. We’re getting our schedule changes on Monday, so that should be interesting.”
Alex froze and then felt rapid flutters in his chest as the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” He said, before walking out of the kitchen to the front door…
Holly pulled up outside Dev’s house. It was beautiful! It was a similar style to Holly’s.
The house was two stories high with grey siding covering the majority of the front of the house, with two yellow brick walls to the left of the front door. White framed Victorian style windows and two white columns either side of the covered front porch.
The large garage was to the left of the house, as you faced it, and had wall lamps lighting up the front.
Holly immediately looked across the front lawn. The grass was green and lush, small shrubs lining the pathway and under the windows. It was simple, but effective.
Low maintenance, which suited a family of two doctors and two high school students.
Holly got out of her car, grabbed her bag, and walked up to the front door. She felt a little nervous about going inside Dev’s house and possibly meeting her family, but she knew it was a case of ‘ripping off the bandaid’ as Mrs Carter had said in class.
The door opened, and Holly froze in shock.
“Hi Holly” Hot-guy said with a smile.
Holly’s throat felt tight, her heart was pounding out of her chest and her face felt like it could melt an iceberg.
“Uh…I…I…Um.”
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!
Great, she still couldn’t control her mouth and her inner monologue was having a seizure too!
“Dev’s upstairs, come on in.” He said as he opened the door further, stepping back to let her past.
Holly couldn’t remember how to use her legs.
“Hey girl, don’t just stand there, come on in!” Dev squealed as she grabbed Holly’s hand. “I see you’ve met my brother, Alex.”
“Yeah, we have English class together.” He said as Dev pulled Holly into the hallway.
His voice, coupled with his smile turned Holly’s insides into a complete mess as her skin prickled with goosebumps and heat surging through her veins. She felt a pang, low in her stomach, before it descended into the ‘don’t even go there’ area.
“I thought you were going to the gym?” Dev said to ‘Alex’ as Holly now knew who he was, whilst he continued to stare at her.
“I decided to take the day off.”
Holly dropped her head to look at the floor, away from his deep, chocolate brown eyes…
“Well then…we have stuff to do, so, see ya! Let’s go Hol.”
“Maybe I should go.” Holly said, so quietly it was almost a whisper.
“What? No! You just got here! Come on…” Dev said as she pulled Holly to the stairs and up to her room.
“What’s the matter? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost!”
“He’s your brother?” Holly asked nervously.
“Yep. The one and only.” Dev smiled but her smile dropped when she saw Holly’s expression.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing…” Holly replied, trying to take in a deep breath to steady her nerves. “…Forget it.”
Dev cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes, staring at Holly for a moment.
“Oh my God…” She suddenly said, her eyes widening “…Is Alex the guy you were talking about?”
The look on Holly’s face must have said it all, and Holly was not amused when Dev burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry” Dev said.
“Maybe he just wanted to introduce himself as your brother.” Holly interrupted, trying to make sense of why Alex was looking for her at school. “Oh my God, I’m so embarrassed.” She said with her hands over her face.
“Well, he already thought you knew who he was.” Dev said as her laughter subsided.
“What?”
“Yeah. He really thought you did. He looked confused, actually.” Dev told Holly the conversation she’d had with Alex in Math class, after lunch.
“Well, he knows who I am, obviously. The teacher introduced me to the class, and he called me by my name.” Holly said as she waved her hands, trying to fan her face. “I guess he just took me by surprise.”
Holly tried to dismiss it, but she could tell Dev had an idea that there was more to it than that. After all, she’d said that Dev’s brother was ‘cute’.
“Let’s get to studying. I have provisions.” Dev said as she pointed to the snacks and drinks.
Thinking that they were safe in the confines of Dev’s bedroom, Holly relaxed a little and got her books out of her bag.
Holly helped Dev with some of her algebra work.
“You explain this so much better than our teacher.” Dev said with a huge grin. “I actually understood what you were showing me.”
“I think they just like to over complicate things sometimes. More than necessary.”
Dev completed a few more problems, under Holly’s guidance and she was grateful for Holly’s help.
“Ok señorita, vamos a trabajar en su español” Dev said.
“What?” Holly hadn’t understood what Dev had just said.
“I said, ‘Ok, miss, let’s work on your Spanish”
“Oh” Holly got out her book and pad of paper.
Alex had been listening in his room for a while. He hadn’t gone up to his room straight away, just in case the girls suspected he was spying on them. He intentionally left his door open so that he could hear them talking.
His room was opposite Dev’s, and her door was slightly open, allowing him to hear the girls talking. He knew he shouldn’t be listening in, and if he heard any ‘girl talk’ he’d promised himself that he’d shut his door and not listen.
He could hear Dev asking Holly some questions and there was a pause before Holly answered. He loved the sound of her voice, her accent too. God, he could listen to her all day! It made his body go all…’funny’.
He imagined what it would be like to have her in his room with him…
Where are these thoughts coming from?
He’d never had a single hint of wanting a girl in his room before. Now, he was imagining Holly there. Alex pulled himself out of his haze and listened in some more.
“Me llamo, Holly.” He heard her say.
“You can also say “Mi nombre es.” Dev said.
“Ok. Um…Tengo una hermana.”
Oh my God, she’s so adorable!
Alex grinned enormously.
“Dónde está…um.”
“Come on, Holly, you know this!”
Alex put his hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing. Not because Holly didn’t know any Spanish, but because he was so happy.
“You know the words to some Pitbull songs, for Christ's sake.” Dev was giggling at that point.
“Yeah, but I have no idea what I’m saying!” Holly replied.
She was just too cute.
Alex knew that Holly would probably be leaving soon, and he wanted to catch a glimpse of her now and before she had to go. Maybe he should knock…He got up.
Dev opened the door and Alex saw Holly sitting on the floor, legs crossed, looking down to her writing pad. She looked up at him but as soon as their eyes met, she quickly looked down again. He thought that he could see her blushing so he turned his attention to his sister.
“Can I get you guys anything?”
“Holly do you want anything?” Dev turned to ask Holly.
“Um…No…thanks” she almost whispered.
“Nah we’re good, but thanks for asking.” Dev said with a smile as she caught Alex looking at Holly. “Did you want something?” he heard the amusement in her voice.
“No…I’ll see you at dinner.”
Dev shut the door, tight.
“Sorry about that.” He heard Dev say, through the door.
”No worries”
Alex didn’t know whether Holly meant that it was Ok that Alex had interrupted or that he’d been a pain in her ass and Dev was apologizing for it. His head was messed up. Five days! He’d known her for five days, not even had a full conversation and he was in a mess over this girl. He took a deep, calming breath and went downstairs.
Holly couldn’t help the butterflies in her stomach. Alex had been there, right at Dev’s door, asking whether they’d needed anything. He’d also looked right at her.
Holly could feel the heat travelling up from her neck to her face, yet again, as thoughts of Alex’s eyes, his lips, his voice…
”He normally just shouts through the door if he wants to ask me something. He’s behaving strangely.” Dev shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “Let’s get back to it.”
Holly was relieved to have the subject, of Alex, changed. She’d heard footsteps going down the stairs, and she relaxed more knowing he was gone from outside the door.
“I need to get going now. I told my Mum I’d be back at six.” Holly packed up her books, preparing to leave. She was nervous as Dev opened her door incase Alex was there.
As they had come up the stairs quickly, Holly hadn’t noticed Alex’s room. It was opposite Dev’s. The door was closed, and she wondered what it was like inside.
“You ok?” Dev asked as Holly didn’t move forward.
“Yeah, just thinking about school.” She replied, hoping Dev would accept her answer.
“I’d rather not.” Dev laughed as they began to walk down the stairs.
When they got to the bottom, Holly could hear Alex’s voice coming from another room as he was talking to someone. She began to walk to the front door when a woman walked into the hallway.
She looked like an older version of Dev. High cheekbones, brown eyes, and flawless olive skin. Her dark hair was tied up in a loose knot, and Holly thought she looked very much like a doctor. A supermodel-turned doctor.
Are they all so tall in this family?
Dev was only a few inches taller, Alex was…huge…their Mum, she assumed that’s who she was, was taller than Dev but not much.
“Hey Mom.” Dev said.
Holly could only think of how she was going to get out of the front door.
“Hey sweetie. You must be Holly.” She said.
“Hello, Mrs. Valencia.” Holly said shyly.
“Oh call me Evie. Would you like to stay for dinner? We have plenty.”
Holly felt a shiver just before Alex walked into the hallway. Her knees weakened, and her throat felt dry. The heat creeping into her cheeks.
“I…have to go home, but…thanks…Evie.” Holly managed to say, averting her eyes away from Alex so that she could speak. Evie smiled at her, seeing Holly’s discomfort.
“Ok well, maybe next time.”
“Yes, I’d love to…thanks.” Holly glanced at Alex, and her stomach flipped. “I have to go.” She said to Dev, turning for the door.
“Bye Holly.” Evie said with a wave.
“Bye Holly. See you at school” Alex said to her, making Holly pause for a split second as she nearly melted into the floor.
Dev walked out with Holly.
“Text me when you get home. See you tomorrow and, thanks for your help.”
As Dev and her Mum stood at the door, watching Holly get into her car, she noticed Alex watching her from the front window. She released a deep breath before starting the car, waving to Dev and driving off.
Holly started to relax now that she was on her way home. She really had a serious problem when it came to Alex. She couldn’t speak when she looked at him. To hide her obvious attraction, she had to look away as it was the only way she’d been able to string a sentence together. She didn’t know why she was acting that way. She was never nervous around boys before. She’d never been attracted to any of them, though. Maybe that’s why she hadn’t had any problems communicating with them at all.