My Precious Darkling

Chapter 2

She smiled back at me. Butterflies almost made me convulse with how tightly packed they were inside of my stomach and slowly moving up my chest. My heart pounded hard against my chest and then I felt my cheeks burn hot. K, short for Kelly was a girl that's become very close to me - really close...

"Hey there handsome." She giggled playfully. Her eyes were aglow with the sunlight, as if her eyes were stealing the sun's light. Her caramel skin was shiny which complimented her golden brown eyes. Her hair was shoulder length and dyed red, which seemed to really fit everything together. What she decided to wear today was a dark blue v-neck and a sweater that had a fluffy hoodie, with tight jeans and finally, her favorite shoes; a pair of black converses.

"What a coincidence to see you here. Come here often?" I winked flirtatiously.

"I do actually. What about you?"

"In fact, I do!" We softly laughed at our small interaction. We would always play around like that and I still don't know why. I've never had a friend like her, someone to play around like this with. It just wasn't me, I'm more of a small talk type of guy; she made me feel more social. Suddenly, the bus doors opened to let in a few more students; some I recognized. Jackson, Misty, and Finley were among the small group of teens. As they saw me and Kelly, they smiled and waved and Finley even winked at me -- which meant she wanted me to get with Kelly. I rolled my eyes and turned towards the window. We were a few blocks away from the school, I recognized the local bagel shop all the students would go to before school to grab a bagel and some coffee. I felt Kelly lean against me and she wrapped her arms around my arm because the cold wind raced through and took hold of her. She shivered against me and I felt my body go red hot despite the intense chill of outside. I acted as if nothing happened or at least attempted to. I kept my eyes on the window but I was consciously aware that she didn't release my arm from her tightening grip, even after the doors closed tight. Fighting back the cold bite.

I tore my eyes from the window and the fast moving buildings and cars. Mechanically, my eyes locked onto her; the top of her head was visible and I could smell her lavender shampoo. I deeply inhale but try not to make it obvious and close my eyes gently, taking all of her in. I feel her muscles relaxing as she begins to pull away from me and I feel the physical detachment. The bus slows to a complete stop in front if the school building. Kelly and myself are the first ones up and out of the bus.

"Bye Ms. Evans!" I turned and gave her a tiny smirk. She returned the smirk and watched everyone walk out of the bus. I turned back to see Kelly watching me curiously and with a mischievous grin across her cheeks.

"Flirty with our bus driver, huh?" She winked at me and I softly huffed in response. She only giggled and lightly pushed me to the side. I followed her into the building and we both stopped at the staircase; she turned to me a little and waved goodbye before bolting up the staircase to the third floor where her Math class was. I watched her until she disappeared from view before I went down the right hallways towards my English class. The bell rang as soon as I entered the classroom; I took my seat in the second row and waited for the teacher to arrive. Finley arrived shortly after me and gave a huge smile my way.

"Hey there Stephen! So, how's it going with Kelly?" She attempted to wiggle her eyebrows -- which was an utter failure, but she didn't care. "I saw how she leaned on you in the bus. So what's the four-one-one!?"

"Really?"

"Don't judge me!"

I rolled my eyes. "Silently judging you." I laughed and shook my head at her. Nothing was between me and Kelly, and I don't even know if I want there to be. "Kelly and I are just friends Fin. Don't try and make out something that isn't there."