"Hey, Miss Pear!" Alex chirped, waving at her excitedly from the back seat.
Emma's gaze flickered from the eager child to the dark, imposing figure behind the wheel. "Oh, I don't know, I don't want to hold you guys up. Are you sure...?" Her voice faded, thin in the cool afternoon air. She clutched her books tighter. Being a bother was the last thing she wanted, especially to someone like Blake. He wasn't exactly known for spontaneous acts of kindness. Why on earth would he even consider helping her?
While Emma was lost in her hesitant wonder, Blake was thinking, Was this girl deaf, or just playing hard to get? He was making an effort, a rare one, to help her out—something he absolutely did not do for random people. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face. Why was he bothering today? Was it just Alex?
Blake opened his mouth to deliver a sharp retort, but Alex, oblivious, cut him off. "I told him to bring you with us!" Alex announced, beaming with self-importance from the back.
Told him to? Blake suppressed a groan, rolling his eyes unseen. He hadn't "told" Blake anything. But he decided to let the kid have his moment of glory this time.
"You shouldn't walk home by yourself wearing that skirt, plus it's cold outside," Blake said, his tone a little gruff, though a flicker of genuine concern softened his eyes for a split second.
Emma instinctively looked down at her legs. Her skirt was well past her knees, far more modest than what most girls wore. She was bundled in long sleeves and her coat. There was nothing wrong with her outfit. She pulled her coat tighter, a defensive gesture against the unspoken judgment. Blake leaned across the middle console looking out the window, his voice softer now. "Listen, umm, what's your name?"
She looked around for a brief moment, a blush creeping up her neck, before her eyes darted back to him.
"I'm Emma." He gave a curt nod as she finally stopped walking, and his car glided to a halt right beside her. "Emma, come on and get in the car before you freeze to death. And you better hurry up before I change my mind." His voice held an edge of impatience, daring her to argue.
A short, humorless laugh escaped her. She crossed her arms, a stubborn resistance rising in her chest. Who did he think he was, bossing her around? She got enough of that at home; she certainly didn't need it from a complete stranger, especially one who seemed to radiate a "don't mess with me" aura. She huffed, cheeks puffing slightly, and glared at him, an unspoken challenge in her wide eyes.
Alex, sensing the stalemate, leaned further out his window. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, though it was still loud enough to be heard. "You better get in! He's usually not this nice to everyone... Come on, get in, Miss Pear!" He flashed her a wide, disarming grin as Blake, with an exasperated sigh, reached across to unlock and open the passenger door, then settled back facing forward, clearly done with the waiting game.
Slowly, her curiosity outweighing her pride, she walked closer, leaning inside the car. "Are you sure? You really don't need—" he turned his head sharply, quickly sliding his dark shades up and pushing a stray strand of dark hair back from his forehead, his bright green eyes locking onto hers.
The sudden clarity and intensity of his gaze stole her breath, a sudden, unexpected jolt. She quickly snapped her mouth shut, her arguments dissolving.
"Get in the car, Emma." He didn't have to tell her again. The dark leather seats looked inviting, a promise of warmth. She climbed inside, the soft material yielding beneath her, and closed the door with a quiet click. He quickly started the car, the engine rumbling to life, and cruised smoothly down the street.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He simply gave a slight nod, his gaze fixed on the road.
She looked around the interior of the car. It screamed him. The sleek black leather, the subtle, rhythmic pulse of low-thrumming music from the speakers.
The air was a mix of expensive cologne and a lingering hint of cigarettes, a very masculine scent that, surprisingly, she found herself liking. Her eyes drifted to his hand resting on the gear shift. Silver rings adorned each of his long, veiny fingers. A sudden, unexpected blush heated her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, feeling a wave of shyness wash over her, fixing her gaze on the passing scenery.
"So, what's your address?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence, his voice flat. She turned to answer, but before she could, Alex, a whirlwind of energy, leaned between them from the backseat. "Wouldn't it be so fun if she comes with us to Sonic, Blake?" His voice was brimming with hopeful innocence.
What was this kid trying to do? Blake shot a look at Alex in the rearview mirror, one eyebrow raised in silent question. Alex just returned a wide, goofy smile "No, no, no!" Emma quickly interjected, shaking her head vigorously and waving her hands in protest. "I'm sure you guys don't want me around, messing up your guy time or whatever."
Alex's face fell into an exaggerated pout.
"Are you busy or something?" His sad voice tugged at something in her.
She looked down at her lap. Honestly, she didn't have anything else planned for a few hours. She had to get to violin practice around 6 PM, so she actually had a few measly hours of precious freedom. "Wellll, no, but..." she mumbled, trying desperately to conjure a believable excuse, but nothing came.
Alex's pout vanished, replaced by a triumphant grin.
He leaned back into his seat with a thump. "It's settled then! To Sonic, my good man!" he declared, adopting an overly dramatic, surprisingly accurate British accent. Well, it seemed Alex had officially made up his mind on the subject. Honestly, Blake didn't mind the girl's presence. Girls usually wanted his attention and were all loud and overly which annoyed the hell out of him. But she seemed different. She was quiet, shy, and didn't act like she knew him.
"Fine," he said simply, turning the wheel and heading towards Sonic.
Emma's eyes widened. Was he for real? Was she dreaming? He was willingly agreeing to spend time with her. A giddy sensation bubbled in her chest. This was the best day ever!
"I don't have any money," she blurted out, suddenly remembering, her fingers nervously picking at the end of her skirt. She mentally cursed herself for not having a job, for not having her own money. Her parents had strictly forbidden her from getting a job, claiming it would "take too much time" from her precious extracurriculars.
"I got it," he replied, his gaze still on the road. He really was a man of few words, a quality Emma found herself surprisingly drawn to. But why was he doing this? Was it really just because of Alex? She couldn't figure it out. It's not like she was popular, or overly pretty. She was just... normal.
"This is technically kidnapping," she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eye, glancing at him from the corner.
He let out a short, humorless laugh, a genuine, albeit small, smile gracing his lips as he slid his dark shades back in place. "Well, go ahead... call the cops on me." she didn't say anything else, content to watch his profile. His beautiful smile faded from his lips, his expression returning to its usual stoic mask. As they raced towards Sonic, all she could think was: What did she get herself into?
(Mia note:Alex you little matchmaker lol)
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
