How I Wish

Chapter Eleven

Walking into school today felt different, and not just because the event committee went overboard with the decorations. The walls were covered in red and white, including the ceiling tops. Most people were wearing red and white. I was wearing an skin tight bright red jeans, and a white crop top with a black cardigan and wedges.

Regardless of who I spent this day with, I wanted to look hot. My first Valentine's day not spent reading. I'm excited.

"Hi Leigh"

Hearing his voice sent shivers down my spine. I turned and smiled at Trent. I wanted to laugh, he wasn't joking about that yesterday... and the touching...

His arm rested on my bare hips and his fingers grazed over my bare stomach.

"I hope you brought something else to wear" his voice was low. I watched his fingers roam freely over my skin causing it to tingle. I took a deep breath. He was trying to make me happy... I smiled at him.

"And why is that?" I whispered. I ran my finger over his bottom lip

"I don't enjoying seeing your body exposed for the world to view" He took my hand in his and kissed my palm

"Too bad it's not up to you"

"Do you like arguing with me?" his voice still in a whisper, his hands on my hip gripping more firmly.

"My valentine" I felt my hand beginning pulled. In a matter of seconds, I was in Sean's arms. "looking sexy as always" he smiled.

I laughed and hugged him. When I pulled away, I was in-between the both of them.

"Hey" Sean smiled at him. I chewed my lip nervously. Sean turned back to me "I bought you this" He handed me a heart shaped box full of chocolate. 'Happy Valentine's Day' written on top in bold letters.

I blushed. "You really are sweet" I said to Sean, looking up into his brown eyes. "thank you"

"Where's my kiss?" Sean smiled

"I think you should get to class. come" Trent took my hand in his. I quickly kissed Sean on the cheek before I was dragged down the hall behind Trent.

"I'm still early" I whined

"What was that?" he demanded "do you just go around putting your lips on anybody?"

"It wasn't even that serious. At least he cares about me" I proclaimed as I walked fast, trying to keep up with his pace

"A box of chocolate isn't a declaration of love, Leigh."

"It's more than you've ever done"

We stopped outside of my class door "How do you know where my class is?" I asked

"I have friends in here too, you know". He still held on to my hand, the other pushed his hair back. "No more kissing, of any kind, with anyone. And I mean it Leigh, don't push me."

"You can't tell me what to do" I whispered looking over my shoulder. Anywhere but at him.

He places his thumb under my chin, and rubbed my bottom lips with his finger. "The next person you kiss... I'm gonna kick their ass"

He wasn't smiling or smirking. He couldn't be serious. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Why do you even care? I'm not your type remember"

He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again. "I might have mistook your innocence for ignorance... and maybe..."

He pulled me closer and smiled down at me. He leaned his lips closer to my ears. I could feel his breath on my ear. My heart began to pick up speed. "...your attitude ... turns me on" he placed a kiss on my ear.

I blushed and placed my head on his chest trying to hide my face. "You do like when I argue with you then"

"I didn't say I liked it, it's very frustrating. But I like that fact that I can always trust that its the truth your telling me. Most of the time it's about how you truly feel... and I guess... it's sometimes refreshing to have someone talk to me the way you do... makes me realize I'm not perfect."

"Trent, our class is this way." his blond called

"I gotta go. Later, maybe?" he smiled

"Yeah" I bit my lip, pushing myself up closer to his lips. He kissed my forehead and winked at me.

"Thanks for the red rose by the way" she cooed when he got closer to her.

"Don't mention it" he said, putting his arm around her neck.

What red rose? He didn't even give me a hug but he gives her a rose? What the hell, am I getting played?

I narrowed my eyes at them as they walked down the hall. Even though I wanted to be completely pissed off at him, I couldn't. His words still rang in my head. Damn it!

I entered into History class and took my seat beside Jessie.

"Are you guys dating?" she asked

"Me and Trent? No."

"You would tell me right... because I've been watching Trent for years now and he doesn't walk girls to class. He walks with them to class if they have the same period but..."

"Jess, there is nothing. I'd tell you"

She smiled at me and turned her attention to the front of the class. Before the class began, a girl with bright pink hair entered into the class with a basket full of red roses and began handing it out to the girls in the class. When they read the paper attached to it, they started to squeal to each other.

Every girl got one, except for me. I wasn't disappointed. I was use to the exclusion on days like these.

"Omg, Leigh. Where's yours?" Jess asked

"I guess no one sent any for me. It's nothing big."

"Well I guess you're right about there being nothing between you and Trent"

"Why's that?" I asked uninterested, mindlessly scribbling on my notebook in front of me

"Cause these roses are from him."

My head shot up. I took the red rose from her hands and read the same typed paper strip attached:

Happy Valentine's Day, love. Trent.

I passed her back her rose and slapped a poker face on. Explosions were going off in my head But I turned them off... until I saw him at lunch.

Every senior girl had one. In Spanish, I noticed that a few of the juniors did too. Why not me? Yes, I wanted a red rose. Was that bad?

I didn't care who he was with or what they thought of me. I entered the Cafeteria and marched up to his table. He was sitting on top of the table with his feet on the bench. And yes, every girl there had their rose. What the f**k was this? The bachelor? was I the one getting dumbed?

I stood in front of him and his eyes found mine. He smiled, flashing his pearl whites. My hand folded across my chest and... I lost my words. Every time! I couldn't just walk away now... I'd look like an i***t. I stood my ground and folded my arms, saying nothing.

As I continued to scowl at him, his expression changed almost one hundred times.

"What's wrong with her?" I heard one girl ask

"Mind your business" I snapped.

"Why are you here? Go somewhere else, preferably far away." another one dismissed.

For some strange reason, tears started to build up in my eyes. I tightened my jaw, I refuse to cry.

"Is this happening right now?" another one laughed

"Stop" Trent ordered. "Leigh..." He reached out to touch me but I moved my arm. I wanted to leave but I didn't want to run out. They would win whatever this was.

I could hear Xavier's laugher behind me. Why was this funny to them? I felt his arms wrap around me from behind and I breathed, my anger and embarrassment washing away.

"You guys can never stop fighting, huh?" I felt his breath on the back of my neck. "Let's go eat"

I turned, avoiding questioning eyes, as we made our away across the cafeteria.

"I hate him" I whispered

"You don't mean that. If anything its the opposite" Xavier reasoned

"Did you know what he did? The whole f*****g school, except me. If it was from someone else that I didn't know I wouldn't care but I didn't expect it from him"

"Leigh, calm down"

"Are you taking his side? Really X?"

"I'm not supporting what he did but maybe he has a reason."

"There is none. And I don't care anymore. He had the nerve to tell me not to kiss people but here he is giving out roses to girls"

"Leigh..."

"No, stop. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's move on." I turned in my seat and rest my head on the table.

"What do you want for lunch?"

"I'm not hungry" I murmured, still fighting back tears.

He disappeared from my side and reappeared with yogurt and water "eat"

"Xav-"

I looked into his face "I wont tell you again"

I signed heavily but sat there eating the yogurt for the whole lunch. I placed my earphones in my ears and put the volume on much high. I avoided eyes as I walked into class and took my seat. I rest my bag on my table and rest my head on top of it. Class will start soon, I reminded myself.

I felt someone tap my shoulder and I ignored it. They continued to tap until I finally looked up. He signaled for me to remove my ear buds but I went back to resting my head on the desk. He began to tap again. Pissed off, I pulled my ear buds out.

"What do you want?" I snapped

"We need to talk" he had a look on his face that I've never seen before. He looked gloomed and anxious

"Please, just leave me alone. Everything is fine." I didn't want to have this conversation. I was beginning to get hungry.I hadn't eaten anything all day, lunch was now over. My brain was so overloaded that it couldn't sync with my stomach during lunch.

"I can't do that. Just tell me what the problem is and I'll fix it"

My headache was starting to get worse.

"Trent, please."

"No"

"Who's being stubborn now?"

"If that's what I need to do."

Now I know how he feels when I choose to be stubborn. I sighed.

"I just felt left out when everyone got a rose and I didn't. I didn't even have a right to be. If you don't want to give me a rose then its your choice but I was going to ask why at lunch... but then I lost my train of thought... and then your little girlfriends started attacking me..." I was just feeling emotional today. I haven't seen Sean the whole day and he was suppose to make me feel included.

I guess things never change.

"Babe, I tol-"

"I'm not in the mood for this. One minute you have me on cloud nine and then the next I'm falling in a black hole. Let's just end this rollercoaster ride right here, okay? No hard feelings. We can be friendly with each other... or you can go back to telling me to watch where I'm going in the hallway. You're free to choose. It's been a long day, I'm emotional, I'm hungry, I'm tired, and I just want to get through the rest of the day and go home." I breathed.

I placed my ear buds back in my ear and laid my head back on the desk. Grateful, he didn't disturb me. He even got up and went back to his original seat. When the teacher came in, I breathed and started taking notes.

When I got home, I hurried to the fridge. Empty. I groaned.

"MOM!" I bellowed.

"What's wrong?" Nate asked from the living room

"I'm hungry" I told him

"You hungi? Me make food?" He offered

I laughed and searched the cupboards. "It's okay baby. I'll make food for both of us"

"I not hungi" he informed me

"No but you will be."

"What is it Honey?" My mom appeared from downstairs with laundry.

"The house is empty"

She shook her head at me "I might have not cooked, but I went grocery shopping after work today. I'm trying to get things done before I leave, the least you can do is make yourself dinner"

I was shocked "I guess I'm not the only one having a bad day." I turned back to the cupboards and decided on mashed potato and deep fried chicken wings. Nate loved mashed potatoes, chicken wings were finger food, and it's fast. I'm starving!

"Sorry, Sweetheart. I'm just really nervous about tonight"

"You must really like this guy" I smiled

"I do."

"Nate, you wanna help me cook?"

"Shaw" (Sure)