Strawberries and cigarettes | vh

17

Alana

I can't believe how many people showed up for this. We can barely manage to get through the crowed without being stopped for pictures. Finally we get to the front and I show the badge I wore around my neck and they let me in.

"God that was exhausting." Kouvr sighs leaning on me. I hand her a bottle of water which she happily takes a few gulps out of. "Well I guess we can mingle a bit, there's still time for the event to start." Alex explains when my phone buzzes.

Vin:): you here yet?

Me: yep we just got here.

Vin:): come see me at the back area where the green rooms are.

Read

"You guys go ahead I need to find someone." They both mutter okays and leave. I quickly text Mona and Tati that I need to do something so I'll see them at the seats. I shut off my phone and go towards the back of the venue where they have green rooms for the contestants to rest.

I spot one that says 'V Hacker- TikTok' and knock. I hear a faint 'come in' and I open the door. "Hey." I lightly shut the door behind me. "Didn't think you'd come." He gives me a side hug.

"Well here I am. Didn't your parents come see you?" I look around expecting his family to be here. "They'll be here soon you're just early." He rubs a hand through his hair. "Well we had a miazilla on the lose." He chuckles lightly.

I take a seat next to him on the couch. "So why'd you call me here?" I've been wanting to know that since he texted me. "Honestly I don't know I guess I wanted to see you?" I almost melt at the spot. He pulls me closer to him and looks at me. "Did you know that your eyes are a really pretty shade of emerald?" I was not expecting him to say that. God I'm probably blushing like a lunatic.

Before he could lean in my phone went off. I quickly saw the unknown number and panicked. I just stared at my phone  as it ringed in a daze. "Aren't you gonna pick up?" Vinnie asks confused and I shake my head. "I'm pretty sure it's nothing important Vin." I ignore and suddenly getting clammy hands so I stand up to grab a water from the small table they've set up in the corner.

I hear my phone ring again. "I think you should honestly pick up." He suggests. "You really don't need to." He frowns at my answer. When it rings for the third time he got annoyed with it. "Okay that's it I'm answering." He grabs from the couch. "No Vinnie please don't-" but he does. His eyebrows furrow. "Who's this?" He seems confused then suddenly stands up to come near me.

He places the phone on speaker and signals for me to say something. "Hello?" I squeak. "I asked the boy to hand the phone to you." The same distorted voice speaks making my close my eyes and exhale a shaky breath. "Next time you better pick up the phone babe." A hand find mines and I see Vinnie mouth a 'what the fuck' to me.

I shake my head as the person continues. "Im watching you. Don't think that you're safe from me." The voice shudders. "What do you want?" I finally ask. "You'll know that soon. I'll tell you when lover boy isn't there to protect you. You'll know it when you're all alone crying for help." The person laughs and I feel sick.

The line disconnects and I have to control myself to not throw up all over the place. "What the fuck just happened?" Vinnie looks so mad. "I don't know." I manage to answer.

"How many calls have you received?" He doesn't beat around the bush going direct for answers. "Once before this." His expression goes dark like he's ready to actually kill someone. "Why didn't you tell me? Hell tell anyone?" His voice softens.

"I thought it was all just a prank so I didn't think much about it." He sighs pulling me into his chest. "What's going on V?" I whisper. "I dunno." He runs his fingers through my hair.

His phone buzzes and he checks the text. "My family's here." He informs. "Okay. I should go now. The events starting soon and your family's here and I need to find my friends." The words stumble out.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." He says. "Yea I know but I really should go." I open the door and walk out before he has to chance to say anything else. I make my way to the seat and find everyone already seated. "Hey! How have you guys been?" I give Mona and Tati each a hug. "Pretty good." Mona answers. "Better now I get to see Vinnie." Tati wiggles her eyebrows. I give out a weak laugh.

"Oh it's starting." Mia informs me from where she's sitting a row in front of me. They slowly call the names of the players for their weigh ins. Apparently they've got more security after the drama at the conference.

Bryce and Austin try to one up each other. When Vinnie's name is called out I try to pay a little attention. He finally discards his shirt flexing his muscles and stands on the weigh machine. He and deji face each other and I see him mutter something which chewing on his gum. They look like they're seconds away from making out in front of everyone.

After the weigh-ins are done they participants are sent back to prepare for their respective fights while the others engage in food and drinks.

"Alana!" Tati'a voice gets me to turn around. "You have to take us to meet Vinnie!" He squeals dragging Ramona with her. "Right now?" I ask confused. "No. After I go back home. Yea right now!" I quickly shot him a text asking if it's okay and he lets me know that it is.

For the second time today I find myself in front of the small door. I find Vinnie standing with a bottle of water in his hand and his hair in small braids. "Cute look." I smirk. "Mom made me. Said my hair would get in the way a lot." He laughs.

"She's right it would." Mona points out. It's then that he also notices the two girls that stand behind me. "Hi again." He greets them. "Hi Vinnie! Can I really quickly get a photo with you?" Tati asks. I send Vinnie and apologetical look. He just nods. "Yea sure."

Tati hands me her phone and I snap a few pictures of them. "Omg thank you so much!" She squeals and starts to type away on her phone.

"How long do you have left before yours starts?" I ask and he checks his phone. "Bryce's should be starting by now and mines after it." Tati almost freaks out at the realisation that she could miss Bryce's match and drags Mona out. I shake my head at her antics.

I didn't notice that Vinnie was now standing so close to me. There was barely any space between us. "So do I get a kiss for good luck?" He gives me a cocky grin and I almost laugh. I place my hand on his jaw and lean into his touch. His hands find their place on my hips pulling me closer.

When his lips almost touch mine I pull away slightly. "Win first and we'll see about that kiss." I place a small kiss on the corner of his mouth before pulling away completely. He lets out a groan "god you're such a tease." His hands slip under my shirt and pull me even closer.

His lips ghost over my jaw to my ear and he whispers "Better pucker up cause I'm winning out here." He places a light kiss under me earlobe which makes me shudder.

-
So I missed school today. It's currently 7:30am and my moms mad I didn't wake up.