Used To Be Me

Chapter 43: Peachy

Anna's Pov

"I've been thinking lately," David began, grasping my hand. "Maybe this could be our place."

"Definitely." I replied. I played with the blonde strands of his hair, mesmerized about the fact of how soft it is. Gosh, it felt like touching heaven.

"You look adorable." He poked my nose as he smiled in fond at my concentrated face.

David's head was currently rested on my lap with his legs sprawled across the couch. We had arrived at our accumstomed ice cream shop an hour ago, and there were only a few people still present. The blond lad and I were now seated in a spot towards the corner of the café; basically in our own little world.

This past week must have been the best time I have ever had in my experience in high school. Unlike the past, I was now never invisible in the hallways and always acknowledged in classrooms. Students waved and greeted me in the halls whenever I walked past them. Excluding Ava and her posse, it was as if the hatred towards me never existed. I seriously could not fathom the fact of how everything could change so instantly.

Louis was exceptionally quiet about the subject, but sometimes I could feel his gaze on me whenever we were present in the same room. Riley couldn't be happier for me, but we never spent as much time with one another like we used to do in the past. She constantly had a busy schedule; filled with church activities, family gatherings, dance lessons, school committee meetings, and her relationship with Jake. It was frustrating sometimes, but that meant more time with David, and I didn't mind spending my time with him at all.

"Of course I look adorable. If I wasn't, then Harry Styles wouldn't have tattoos and Zayn wouldn't have left One Directiom. So, if I wasn't adorable, the world would most likely be upside down."

David quirked an eyebrow at my smirking face, then huffed. "Wow, okay. Ruin a moment where I'm trying to compliment your beautiful face. But no, 'Harry this, Liam that. Niall is my toast! Liam is my lima bean! Louis is my hedgehog!'" He mocked in a high pitched voice.

"No matter how close and lovey covey we get, don't expect me to take down my posters."

"Wouldn't dream of it." He groaned sarcastically. He rolled his eyes and connected them with mine, then his face softened. He crossed his eyes, sticking his tongue out.

"Ew, get off of me you burnt potato." I scrunched my nose. Despite my statement, his usual pale skin has actually become gorgeously tan over the past week. I don't know why, but the vegetable is always so athletic with his athletic friends doing athletic activities and athletic sports like athletes do. He's constantly outside with boys from our grade multiple times a week.

"A burnt potato? You're an idiot."

"Well, this idiot is your girlfriend. And you kissed this idiot, asked this idiot out, warned the school about not touching this idiot, and is now hanging out with this idiot." I sassed.

"Well," the blue eyed boy imitated, "-and this burnt potato is your boyfriend. You kissed back to this potato, said yes when this potato asked you out, is now playing with this potato's fluffy butt hair, and is letting the baked potato use you as a pillow." He counted every aspect on each finger.

"I hate you."

"Hey, hey. Don't hate the player, hate the game." He raised his arms, the long sleeves drooping down his wrists just a bit. I subtly checked his wrist for any new or fresh cuts, but there were luckily no extras from the ones I had previously counted in sight.

"But you always win the game!" I pouted.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, you won my heart." He cheekily stated, pecking both of my flushed cheeks.

"You're so cliché." I playfully smacked his forearm.

"But you love it."

"Yeah, its adorable. Do you know what I love even more?"

"What?"

"You." I booped his nose playfully.

"Wow, and I'm cliché."

"I guess we can be cliché together then."

"Deal." He grinned. I gasped in surprise as he pecked my lips gently, staring at him in shock as he layed back down in his previous position. I could see a glimpse of his sly smirk, and I scowled at his relaxed figure while he pretended nothing had happened.

With every kiss, with every touch, it would still feel like the first; sparks flying throughout the air whenever we made contact. And I knew very well that I would never get used to the feeling.

***

"Go ahead and wait for me at the front of the school. I'll be there in a minute." Riley stated firmly, finally managing to open her locker. She started shifting through her items, grabbing certain essentials to shove into her light gray Jansport backpack.

I nodded silently, not questioning her demanding attitude. I knew she was beginning to become stressed with her occupied agenda, so I decided not to pry. I understood her position; struggling to balance between everything in her life was difficult, and I didn't wish to make it worse.

David currently had basketball practice afterschool and we had previously agreed to call each other to set up any plans for the upcoming hours of after Riley leaves.

I sauntered towards the fairly sized metal doors, only to be pulled back by a strong grip. I immediately turned around, fear and panic starting to rise.

I make eye contact with an unwanted hue of jade.

Louis.

"Let go of me." I snatched my hand from his grasp and started pacing away from the brunette, only to be forced to a halt once more when he held my arm deathly secured between his palm and fingers.

"Anna list-"

"Stop! Get away. Not just for my sake, but for yours." If David ever saw Louis and I at this close proximity (although we were a few feet apart) he would surely beat the crap out of him.

"Please give me a chance to expl-" Louis pleaded, only to be cut off.

"LET GO OF ME!" I raised my voice, yanking my hand out of his now excruciating tight grip.

Ugh, I thought. It was definetely going to form a bruise.

"Anna!" I heard a voice from around the corner, who I recognized as Riley's. "My mom is here!"

I glanced back to shove Louis away from me, but I was met with an empty presence of air. I exhaled out in relief; I was absolutely not in the mood to explain to Riley why Louis and I were together. And I was for sure on not telling David on what had happened. I was also not in the mood for David to pick up a fight, mainly because he was making progress lately. He has been incredibly happy lately, and I'm not intending to destroy his joyful attitude anytime soon.

"She's waiting for us in the parking lot." My best friend was now in front of me, gesturing for me to continue walking.

"Yeah, let's get out of here." I grabbed her hand and rushed out the door desperately.

"Are you okay?" She questioned once we were outside.

"Peachy." I timidly smiled. I tugged on my maroon sweater sleeve, covering the forming bruise.
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Hello loves! Has anyone heard about the "WMYB To One Billion" project? I really hope the fandom can manage to raise the music video to a billion views, but who knows. Thanks for reading!