Baby

| Friends |

Chapter Ten - Friends

Baby snuggled into her fluffy bedsheets, lips parted and puffing soft snores. It was way past 7AM and she was late for school. Again.

“Louise!”

The girl was shaken from her sweet dreams by a shout that sounded much too close for comfort.

She curled into her bedsheets and groggily lifted her head to find the sound.

Her lips parted and she squealed when she saw Percy standing at the foot of her bed. With lightspeed, she had pulled her covers over her head to hide from the boy in her room.

Percy fought a smile at her behavior and spoke, “You're skipping school with me today.”

Baby's voice was muffled by her blankets, and Percy tilted his head in confusion.

“What was that?” He asked amusedly.

The girls head popped up from underneath the bedsheets, her chubby cheeks red and her lips in a pout, “Skipping school is wrong,” She frowned, “How did you get in?”

Percy laughed, "You're late anyway, no harm done.” He shrugged, “The front door was unlocked.”

Baby blinked at the boy and felt her heart race because of his intent stare on her. She had never ever had any other boy besides Collin in her bedroom, and she had never ever even considered skipping school.

She bit the inside of her cheek, “Where will we go?” She murmured.

Watching the small girl from where he stood, he knew she had reservations about doing anything remotely bad so when she asked this, he was pleasantly surprised.

"Anywhere you want.”

Baby nodded slowly, “Okay, then... We can skip school.”

She hoped that she wouldn't regret the decision.

♥️

The pair ended up at the strip mall. Baby tugged at the strap of her dress self-consciously when Percy glanced at her for the umpteenth time since the two had settled into a booth at the restaurant Baby picked.

Percy sighed into his palm when Baby avoided his gaze again.

The two of them made an odd duo, Percy was tall and intimidating, wearing all black and a sour look. Baby was small and had a sunny expression in her pretty purple sundress.

That's what people saw as they went around to stores, Baby buying a few new dresses and Percy a new pair of shoes.

Maybe that was why the two had barely spoken; only exchanging brief looks and shy smiles, they were too different.

“What would you two like to order?” A waiter gave them both a smile.

Percy looked at Baby first, noticing her lip trapped between her teeth, he looked at the waiter and forced a smile, “Could we call you over a bit later? Need a little more time to decide on what we want.”

The waiter gave him a nod and walked away.

Turning to his companion, Percy let out a sigh, “What's wrong?”

Baby shook her head and pouted.

Slightly frustrated with the way their day had fared thus far and now with Baby's silence, Percy frowned and leaned back into the booth.

“Do you want to go home?” He asked, his hostile tone effectively getting a reaction from Baby.

She let out a breath, “No,” Her pout made an appearance again as she considered whether she should tell Percy why she was whiny, “I feel bad.”

Percy raised a brow, “For what? Skipping school?”

She shook her head and sighed, "Well— you're nice to me... And I like that. But, Collin told me that I shouldn't engage, cause I don't know you,” Her cheeks puffed out as she tried to continue without getting distracted by Percy's pretty eyes, “But you're nice. But I didn't tell Collin why I wouldn't be at school today. I tell Collin everything.”

The tall boy sat ramrod straight in his seat and tried to keep his eyes from rolling each time Baby said the name Collin. Percy smiled at Baby genuinely, “That's why you haven't spoken to me all day?”

Baby nodded speedily.

Percy sighed in relief, “Well if that's the problem, don't worry,” He grinned at the jittery girl, “When you met Collin, you didn't know him, now his your friend right?” He tried not to frown at Baby's eager response to the mention of her friend, “It's the same with me, I wanna be your friend. So you don't know me yet, but the more time we spend together, the better we get to know each other.”

Baby smiled, her dimples making an appearance, “Then we all can be friends.”

Percy forced a laugh, “Sure.”

____

Definitely not edited.