Sweet Expressions

Guess What Flavor I Have In My Pocket?

Kota turned the heater on as soon as we were in his car and headed to school for the day. I placed my feet as close to the heating outlet as possible, seeking out the warmth. I shivered as my feet found the beginnings of comfort and pulled my phone out to see who had texted me last. Silas had been the unlucky one. I bit at my lip as I stared at the screen. I looked over the last text I had sent everyone, warning them that the next text would be dealt with harshly and sighed. This was one of those days that I wasn't sure what to do with the boys. There were so many of them and only one of me. It wasn't like I could punch them in the arm jokingly when they went too far, I had to find my own way to stand my ground. I scrubbed at my face, worried that I would be able to do that without backing down or going so far that they didn't feel like I was playing fair. I felt a pat at my knee and looked up to find Kota's kind green eyes glancing between me and the road as he drove.

"You okay, Sweetie? Anything else you still need to talk out? Or maybe you just need to punch something...or someone? I volunteer.I'll take one for the team if it makes you feel better."

I laughed out loud and put my phone away, putting both of my fists up to show him how ridiculously small they were in comparison to him. I jabbed a couple of times at the air.

"Even if I felt like it, and mind you, I don't...I couldn't do much damage with these. No, I'm afraid I'll have to find another non-violent way to vent my frustration. I'll be fine."

I lowered my fists and shrugged when Kota gave my knee another pat and then hesitantly put a pinky out across the seat. I took a glance down at his hand and raised my eyebrows at him, making his small smile falter when I didn't take the offered pinky right away. I shook my head and then leaned forward to rest my head on his shoulder. He stiffened, and then relaxed, a withheld breath escaping as he snaked an arm around me to hug me closer to himself. I played with the pearlescent button on his shirt as he drove, staying plastered to his side the whole ride to school.

****

Luke and North were waiting at the front of the school when we drove up, their book bags hitched high. Luke dropped his to the ground in a heap when he saw us and leapt forward to open my door before Kota had rolled to a complete stop. He lowered his head to peek in, looking at Kota first before offering his hand to help me out onto the sidewalk. I glanced at Kota and smiled, patting at my chest proudly at the little memento I had to commemorate our bet. He laughed and shook his head at me. I took Luke's hand and stepped out on the sidewalk, putting my hands in my pockets while Luke put his head back into the car to speak with Kota. I turned and looked North over. He squared his jaw and tamped down on the grass with his boots, looking down and clearly avoiding my gaze.I looked around for any evidence of the other boys, but they were the only two out here this morning.

"Where is everybody? Don't tell me they are all avoiding me after what happened this morning?"

North looked up sharply and finally looked me in the eye.

"We would never, ever avoid you baby. Some things have come up with the others. We're not sure if they are going to make it in time. You'll see them later, promise."

I stared at him skeptically while Luke looked up quickly from the car to watch us warily, probably worried we were going to fight. I nodded and shoved my hands deeper into my pockets. I didn't really want to argue necessarily, but I did want to make it a point to be on the same playing field with them. Luke looked back into the car and said something quickly before slamming the door closed and walking back up on the curb to us. He picked up his book bag just as Kota drove off. I gazed after the departing car and perked up when I saw Victor's BMW drive in right behind him. North grunted and lifted his arm to flag him over to where we waited on the sidewalk. His eyes seemed subdued as he got out of his car and approached us, his hands in his pockets and looking miserable.