The Clearing: Origins

Chapter 30

Victor pulled the car into the school parking lot, shutting off the engine before beaming at his passenger. His heart skipped a beat when the genie grinned back.

"Ready, love?" he asked, smiling when she nodded. He held up a warning finger. "Remember?"

Kristy released a mocking sigh. "Okay. I won't touch the door."

He slung both backpacks over his shoulders and exited the car, proud that Kristy waited until he came around to open her door. He extended his hand and helped her from the car, pausing to kiss her forehead. "I'm impressed. Two weeks official and you've only forgotten once." Victor closed the door, and with fingers entwined, the two strolled toward the back door.

"If I'd known we'd hold hands, I wouldn't have protested."

He chuckled.

The last two weeks had been perfection. So far, his first exclusive relationship was everything he'd dreamed of. When he'd told his family the news, they too were thrilled. Still, Lovedae sat him down for a chat, and he prayed it wouldn't concern teenage intimacy.

"Victor, we should talk about teenage intimacy," she said, her tone determined.

He groaned. Called it!

"Mum, my views haven't changed. Going steady doesn't mean shagging her. I'm happy just being her boyfriend." Victor held up a finger. "We've snogged, but that's it. I know Kristy isn't ready for... that either." 

"Kissing at some point will become less satisfying," said Lovedae.

He took his mother's hands. "Mum, I'm not ready for... that."

A giggling Rosetta popped up from under the dining room table. "You mean sex?"

The conversation ended as he chased the laughing little girl upstairs.

The first time the two walked into school holding hands, people stopped to comment or congratulate them. Nick and Ton had given them their A-Tón-Nick salute, Misty, a surly but approving nod, and Mary Harper accused Kristy of taking the spotlight away from her and Maddox, who still hadn't looked her way.

But Tammy outshone them all. On the half-day before spring break, she presented the couple with a gaily wrapped box that included two black t-shirts. When Victor read the print on his, he laughed, knowing how much Tammy loved werewolf romances.

"Touché, Tams." He chuckled, holding up the t-shirt with 'ALPHA' printed in big white letters.

But a confused Kristy frowned as she held up the shirt with 'LUNA' printed on the front. "You spelled my name wrong."

Tammy threw up her hands in disgust. "I am so done with you, Kris."

Victor drove Kristy home after school and left the car idling as he exited it for one last hug. His hands pushed back stray tendrils of pink hair. "I'll call you later."

"Don't forget." Kristy ran a gentle finger around his ear and down his jawline.

He couldn't help but blush at her display of affection even as he worried about her. Despite her claims that all was well, Victor knew better. He cupped her face and asked, "When will you share what's bothering you, love?"

Victor sighed when the girl froze, her entire demeanor guarded. "Alright, I'll back off," he muttered, determined to approach the subject with purpose instead of springing it out of the blue. "Made any headway with Aoife?"

Kristy frowned. "I've tried talking to her when we're gearing up. She snarls one-word answers, then moves away like I'm the plague."

"Ally keeps an eye on her. She says Aoife weirds her out." Victor ran a hand through his curls. "She's worse with me—like I stole her bloody binky. I'm almost positive she's Birgit, and she's just biding her time."