"Oow, you're a cutie, such a sweet little thing," Alessia murmurs a few seconds after my monologue, staring at me with sparkling eyes and a slight pout on her mouth. I frown in confusion because I have no idea where the f**k that came from but before I can say anything the girl lets go of my arm, wraps her arms around my waist as if I've given her f*****g permission to touch me and slams herself against my body, burying her face in my chest, "You want to be a lion but you're just a kitten."
I stiffen with my arms flying to my sides to keep from touching her. Her arms curl around me without any hint of shyness, her skin feels warm, so much so that it's like it's burning me over my shirt.
I have a momentary urge to take it off to feel her better on my body.
After a few seconds of discomfort I relax my arms and place my hands on her back. She feels small and weak, but I don't dislike it that much. I take a breath because I actually like the way she feels. I press her against me even more.
I don't even remember when was the last time someone hugged me like this, so tightly and for so long. I don't even remember if anyone besides my mom has given me a hug in the last few years.
"When was the last time someone hugged you, Kitten?"
"That's none of your business," I reply, getting annoyed again, and I push her away from me, "I don't know why you did that, but now I'm sure you don't know when someone can't stand you."
"You can't stand me?" she asks dropping her arms slowly, making a low, soft voice and looking at me in an overly manufactured 'sad' way, like she knows how to use it perfectly.
I'm not an i***t, I'm not going to fall for it... but then I remember that I have to be her friend, no, her best friend, and telling her that I can't stand her isn't going to help me much.
"I do," I blurt out. Alessia raises her eyebrows, surprised. "I mean, um, I do like you but... you're kinda weird. You know that? Who goes around hugging people they don't know? I could be a dangerous killer for all you know."
{ Alessia }
I swallow the urge to laugh and keep making that face that could get me away with murder. Even this tough guy is already hesitating because he feels guilty for making me feel bad.
"I know you from school and now it turns out our families are friends. But don't worry, I'm always overly friendly and I just... I just thought you needed a hug. I'm sorry," I let out in a hushed voice, lowering my head and turning to leave his side, walking away like a sad little girl. I know he'll be behind me apologizing.
Jude curses but I don't stop, I just smirk as I hear his footsteps behind me. He touches my back lightly to make me turn around.
I put my pitiful face back on as I turn to him.
"I'm sorry, Alessia," he says quickly, looking away, as if apologizing is the worst thing in the world. We're standing under a lamp and I have the perfect view of his jaw, tense as always, and when he looks down I can see his long eyelashes light up and his eyes on me.
This guy is ridiculously gorgeous.
"I didn't mean to be a jerk, it comes naturally to me. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," I shrug, trying to stop myself from hugging him again or touching his face. It's more than obvious that no such movement is going to be appreciated, but he’s just so sweet and pitiful, the urge feels very strong, "Should we head back home?"
"We've only been out for five minutes," he says, forcing his body to relax, "If we go back now, my mom will make me go out with you again, and this time she'll send some of the guys with us... let’s stay here another while."
We sit on the sidewalk and stay silent for several minutes, because we don't know what the hell to say. I'm nervous because his leg brushes against mine every time he moves it and my stomach vibrates every time that happens.
"So you don't talk much, huh?" I ask him to kill the silence, because being quiet is no fun.
"No," he replies, curtly. But this time I don't think he's being an arrogant son of a b***h, this time I think… well, this is just the way he is.
And I really start eating it up. A big, hot guy with a rough exterior and mushy insides? I’m very into it.
✖️ ✖️ ✖️ ✖️
Ansel opens the door for me like a gentleman and helps me out of the car. It’s still early so there’s a lot of people outside the school and everyone stops what they’re doing at that moment stare at us. All of them. And they're not even discreet about it.
Jude gets out of the car looking extremely handsome, he hands the keys to the guy parking the cars and comes to my side to put his hand on my back so we can walk up the stairs together.
I think I hear someone gasp.
How is this bitter guy so popular if he doesn't want to talk to anyone? Poor thing, no wonder he always has that annoyed look on his face.
The moment we pass the doors and Jude bends down to whisper in my ear to wait for him at lunchtime to eat together, my gaze lands on two equally tense bodies and two equally surprised faces.
"Alright, see ya," I tell Jude with a smile before rushing over to my best friends who still aren't moving. "Hey, girls."
Nedime flinches a little and her mouth snaps shut, causing her jaw to clench.
"One thing, Alessia," she says, still with her jaw clenched. Yamin continues with her mouth slightly open, "We ask one thing of you: don't go near that fucker. And what's the first thing you do? Do you want him to..."
"No. Nedi, relax," I interrupt her, "Let me tell you what's going on and then you can hate me if you want to."
"No, no, no. No explanation is valid for fraternizing with the enemy," Yamin spits, “What the hell was that?”
"It turns out that no matter how dangerous and evil he is according to you, my dad and his family are friends and, apparently, very close friends. We had dinner together yesterday, I met all of his siblings, and then his mom insisted that Jude and Ansel pick me up,” I explain, and they relax their bodies a little, understanding, but still not looking happy, "So… are you guys still in love with Judas, is that why you're upset? Are you jealous or are you just worried about me? Because, trust me, I know he's hot and all, but if you guys tell me that..."
"Are you kidding me?" Yamin interrupts, raising her hand at me to shut me up. "We are not in love with him, okay? Yes, we had a thing for him two years ago, but that was back when we didn't know what he was like and the things he’s done and his pretty face had us blinded. I’m angry because I know you’re a little naive still and he's not a good person, Judas is... I-I can't tell you, but please, just stay away from him.”
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can do that. My dad loved the carpool idea, he wants him to pick me up and take me home every day. And he told me I can only go out if it's with him, his brothers or you guys."
That makes the girls look at each other and have another one of their telepathic conversations.
"If your dad said that... I guess he trusts him," Nedi mutters, looking quizzical, "I don't understand... but, anyway, we're going to be late. Just understand that we love you very much, and under no circumstances are we still in love with him."
I don’t really believe that last part, but I’ll pretend I do.