Blake pulled his car into his usual spot in the busy school parking lot. Through the tinted window, Emma watched the other teens rushing around, laughing, talking to friends, and heading into the building with their bookbags. The school was a bustling hive of activity, and it only heightened her anxiety. She let out a sigh as Blake cut the engine, turning in her seat to face him. He did the same.
"Wanna talk about it?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. She knew he was talking about why she had been so upset when he picked her up. She still didn't want to tell him the real reason: that her mother was completely ignoring her and was unwilling to accept him like her father had. She didn't want him to blame himself for her mother's childish behavior.
"I was just upset because I realized I'm not having any classes with you this year," she whispered, playing with her fingers and not wanting to meet his eyes.
He grinned, shaking his head slightly, making her bite her lip and feel a pang of guilt for lying. "Well, it's okay. We'll still have lunch together, and I live right down the road." He reached into the backseat to grab his bookbag. Emma looked back out her window as the anxiety of returning to school really sank in. He sat his bag on his lap, his gaze fixed on her.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine," he said, grabbing one of her hands. She turned her head, looking at him. "You ready? We still have a few minutes until the bell if you want to chill in here until it rings."
She shook her head. It wasn't like she could avoid this forever; she had to go inside at some point. Plus, she wanted to get to her locker and put her stuff away before classes started. "Let's just get this over with."
He laughed softly before sliding a pair of dark shades on, hiding his beautiful green eyes. Opening his door, he slung his bookbag over one shoulder. For a moment, Emma admired him: his dark leather jacket—the one she bought him for Christmas—over a white long-sleeve button-up with the first three buttons undone, his hair slightly blowing in the breeze.
She realized she was unintentionally matching him, wearing the leather jacket she had basically stolen from him over a uniform white button-up with the school mascot hidden by the jacket. They were unintentionally a "couple matching" at the moment, which would definitely draw more attention to them.
Opening her door, she climbed out of the car, already feeling the stares of most of the student body. She swallowed, looking around as everyone turned to watch them. Blake paid them no mind, walking around the car to her side and throwing an arm over her shoulder to lead her toward the school.
Emma could clearly hear the whispers around them "Oh my god," one girl squeaked to her friends "Are they together?" another group of girls giggled. Then she heard a guy whisper, "Is she new? I've never seen her before. She's hot." A group of jocks laughed while leaning against their cars.
Emma turned her head to the side and stopped walking, noticing Reina climbing out of her car, looking slightly less put together than normal. Even from afar, Emma noticed the dark circles underneath her eyes. She didn't look too long before turning back forward. Heather and Raven climbed out after Reina, looking toward Emma and Blake "Isn't that Emma and Blake? Oh my god!" Heather said loudly, looking at Reina's angry face.
"Do you think they're together or something?" Raven whispered softly to Reina, who quickly turned to face her.
Reina let out a cold, snotty laugh before crossing her arms and glaring at Emma's back. "Are you kidding me? Of course not. He's probably just using her." Heather and Raven laughed behind their hands, nodding in agreement.
Emma and Blake finally made it to the school's entrance. He stopped walking, turning her toward him. He slid the sunglasses up on top of his head, pushing back his long hair. "How about we give them something to really talk about?"
Before she could question what he meant, he leaned down and kissed her hard. Her eyes widened slightly in pure shock. The chattering and whispers of the entire student body came to a jarring halt, replaced by a sudden, stunned silence. Someone dropped a binder, and the loud clatter echoed in the quiet air.
Emma felt dozens of wide-eyed stares on them, a mix of disbelief and envy. This wasn't just Blake kissing a girl—it was the school's "loner bad boy" kissing the "nerd," and the whole unspoken social order had just been turned on its head.
Her initial shock melted away, and she slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning into his warm body. She hummed softly against his lips as his hands wrapped around her waist, squeezing slightly. For a moment, she forgot all about the snotty kids around them; it was only her and him.
"Alright, alright, break it up kids! Go get ready for homeroom," a teacher said, coming out of the building and pointing a finger at them.
Blake slowly pulled his lips away, leaving Emma breathless and holding a hand to her chest. "Sorry, sir, we'll get going right now." He grabbed her hand, pulling her past the teacher and inside the school. He had a cocky grin on his lips as he pulled her through the halls.
"Have you no shame, Lake? Half the student body just saw us making out," Emma whispered, her cheeks bright red as she pulled her schedule out of her pocket.
Her eyes scanned the paper as he stopped them in the middle of the crowded hall. People walked left and right around them. "Why would I have shame when I have the best girl in this whole damn school on my arm?" he said with a goofy grin.
She was unable to hide the smile that spread across her lips. She playfully hit him in the chest with the schedule. "Shut up... you're a dangerous guy with that kind of charm, Blake Black. I can't have you talking like that around other girls; they may want to take you away." She smiled before turning and walking toward her homeroom class.
He called out to her after she was a few feet away. She turned to face him, his hands in his pockets, and he shrugged. "You don't have to worry. I'd never go... you're it for me, Pear. See ya at lunch."
He grinned before sending her a wave and turning to walk toward his class. His comment left her frozen in place, her heart pounding. Once again, Blake had left her speechless.
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...
