Beyond us (all of us #3) 18+

E L E V E N

C H L O E

"Watch where you're fucking walking kid, you almost got glitter on me." Gio looks down on Marina like she's an eye sore, yet he doesn't try too hard to look away. Huffing out hard irritated breaths I'm sure she's able to feel hot on her face.

Before he'd spoke, Marina tried to breeze past Gio, but as usual it didn't work. He practically charged at her like a horned bull, ready for whatever standoff they're about to have.

This is the daily routine. You can expect at least one Gio and Marina bickering match just as much as you can bet on me and Diesel having a solid hallway make out session that almost gets us detention.

It's LCH Friday. The first Friday of the new school year, which doubles as a spirit day. The halls are full of jerseys, navy blue La Cadena High t-shirts, and all of the cheer squad is expected to be in uniform.

I glance down at my stark white pleated skirt before making eye contact with Diesel as he comes to a stop in front of me. Leave it to Diesel Cooper to be one of the handful of kids who aren't wearing their school spirit. Maybe if the school colors were black and dark black, he would. 

"Ooh, I'm a big bad jock afraid of a little glitter," Marina mocks him, seeming to boldly come an inch closer despite his flaring nostrils. "You shouldn't be. It might finally convince everyone that girls actually touch you."

Gio sputters out a laugh that almost makes him lose his gum and he crosses his arms making his biceps bulge under the sleeves of his jersey. "Maybe if you didn't look like a sparkly piece of chewed up bubblegum, guys would actually want to touch you."

"Alright, I'm not in the mood for this," Diesel cuts in, yanking me into his side with his arm around my hip. "It's too fucking early for the Marina and Gio shit-talk show."

She rolls her eyes, her mean little pout deepening when she turns away from him.

I don't get him. He talks about her like she's not the cutest thing ever. She always looks so pretty and put together. Her hair is sleek and shiny, pinned back perfectly. She smells sweet, like cotton candy, and the glitter is only an added touch. It's so subtle, you'd have to be staring hard to catch it, which makes me think--

"Where's Trenton?" she asks, the words tumble out of her mouth in a way that I can only describe as impulsive.

But what isn't when it comes to the huge crush she has on him? It's a miracle she hasn't found a way to tie their hands together at this point. I'm not sure I even like Diesel as much as she likes Trenton Laguna.

Who am I kidding? I'm totally obsessed, but I'm better at hiding it.

"Here we fucking go," Gio speaks under his breath, but barely. Like he wanted to be heard.

Diesel and I exchange a look and simply turn away so they can continue the banter they clearly want to get out of their system.

"So, anyway," he says with a wolfish grin, pulling me into him. His hands clasp behind my waist and I lean into his chest, inhaling his scent. "Did I mention how much I fucking love this little skirt on you? Damn."

I giggle knowing I've only heard him say it every single time I have my uniform on. "You may have."

"Meet me at our spot after school?"

I stare into his eyes, so full of desire for me, I can't believe it. The hottest guy at school, and he wants me? It's like a dream I'm trying so hard not to wake up from.

Another thing I can't believe? How I've managed to go this long without giving this boy my virginity. With Todd it was easy, I just didn't want to. Clearly.