The Battle of The Bad Boys (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 3: Lipstick Kiss

Duck and roll, Leila. Duck and roll. I hear a low chuckle from outside my window and I hastily throw on my navy 'Geek' t-shirt that I managed to grab in my retreat. Turning to glare at Hunter, I am met by a cocky smirk as he looks at my bare legs approvingly.

"Are you from Jamaica? Coz Jamaican me horny." He jokes, my scowl making him laugh even more. Angrily I slam my window shut and close the curtains. Wait, why was my window open?... Ugh I'm too tired to think about it. I poke my tongue out at Hunter as he pouts adorably. Wait no, annoyingly.

"Aw, don't be like that babydoll! C'mon it's not even ten o'clock - I know some better ways you could spend your night." Clutching the pillow over my head, I turn off my lamp and clamber under the covers, surrounded by all my stuffed bears that he made fun of earlier. I feel my eyelids drooping and I fall asleep pretty quickly.

THUD! My eyes fly open as I hear a loud noise coming from my window. Confused and half-asleep I check the time. 02:00. Who the hell is at my window at two in the morning?! Looking desperately around me for a weapon, I settle for the can of air freshener on my bedside table. Don't judge, it's that or a stuffed bear. Taking deep breaths to steady myself, I pad across my carpet with images of an axe murderer running through my mind, preparing to attack. The last thing I expected to see when I swing the curtains back was Hunter. Perched on my windowsill. Shirtless.

Holy shit! I was right, his muscles are totally lickable.

"Lickable eh?" He teases, tensing his abs. Shit did I say that out loud?! Okay just kill me now. "Enjoying the view?" He persists, prolonging my torture as long as possible. "And what's with the air freshener? Spring cleaning?" Finally finding my tongue (I think it was hanging out of my mouth at this point) I exclaim,

"What the HELL are you doing at MY window at TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING?!" He shrugs, swinging himself across the threshold and landing lightly on my floor..

"I couldn't find my toothpaste. Haven't unpacked yet. So I came to borrow yours. Where's the bathroom?" Rather than answering him, I narrow my eyes and shove him back towards the window.

"Leila what the fu-"

"Shut up, you nearly gave me a fricking heart attack!" My breath's still shaky and tears are forming in my eyes. Wait, what? I never cry. It must be that time of the month.... Hunter shuffles awkwardly, looking at his feet, his confident facade stripped down by a few tears.

"Oh shit, I really scared you, didn't I?" I nod, a few tears escaping. "I'm sorry," he says sincerely though I'm sure I heard a stifled laugh at some point.

"It's okay." I mentally face palm at my PMT.

His signature now smirk back in place, he quickly sweeps my room with his eyes. Finding the bathroom door, he jogs past me. I hear a few bangs before he emerges, a tube of toothpaste clutched in his hand like a trophy.

"Get your beauty sleep." I hear a husky voice. "You look like you need it!" And with that he darts to the window, but not before I chuck Mr Cuddles at his retreating figure. Ugh, boys... And with that I drifted back to sleep.

*~*~*

"Leila!" I open my eyes to find two bright blue ones staring back at me.

"Sam... why are you in my room..." I grumble.

"I'm here to help you get ready babe!" And with that she pulls me out of bed and proudly presents the array of outfits she has spread out on the floor. I have to admit that they're pretty cute, outfits I would wear everyday if I could be bothered.

"Sam, just let me at least brush my teeth first." Reluctantly she lets me go to the bathroom. Groggily looking in the mirror, I see a small kiss-shape drawn in lipstick in the corner. Damn Hunter. It's kinda cute though. Returning to my bedroom it looks like the backstage of a freaking runway show. Sam drags me over to the vanity and begins working on my hair, which at the moment resembles that of a swamp monster. Meanwhile I grab a pen and start copying up her Calculus homework, which she has already laid out for me in front of the mirror. She's such a lifesaver!

Sam gently teases the knots with a hairbrush before grabbing the straighteners. When she's done I look like a completely different person compared to this morning. My usually unruly raven curls have been tamed into sleek, shiny perfection, my brown eyes have been accentuated by eyeliner and a good coating of mascara and my lips are covered in a shiny pink gloss.

"Omg, Leila you look amazing!" Sam croons as she walks me over to the outfit section of my room. Not wanting to go fully into the deep end with a tight fitted crop top and denim shorts, I choose the floaty, mid-thigh blue skirt and a white vest with a sweetheart neckline accessorised by some gold bangles and black heels (only 2 inches).

By the time Sam has finished playing dress up, we don't have time for breakfast. See, this is why I don't make an effort in the morning. Rushing out the door, I blow a kiss at mom and dad, who share a knowing smile.

"Well done Sam!" they shout as we leave, laughing.

*~*~*

When we arrive at school, I can feel people staring. I can't blame them, even my parents were surprised by my transformation. Who needs Extreme Makeover when Samantha Davis is your bestfriend? Blushing a little at the attention I'm getting, I link arms with Sam and we walk to my locker. As I'm getting my books out, I hear a familiar whistle behind me.

"Looking good babydoll," I turn to see Hunter, flanked by the rest of The Badboys, smirking at me. Sam raises an questioning eyebrow at me but, thank god, stays quiet.

"Hunter. Good to see you've made some friends," I roll my eyes as they look me up and down, taking in my new appearance. Chase sends me a flirty wink, laughing when my cheeks redden. Tyler steps towards me, smiling,

"I see you've recovered from your fall yesterday."

"Erm.. yeah sorry about that." I laugh awkwardly, remembering how I had run into him. Literally.

"No worries," he replies smoothly. "Let me walk you to class." He grabs my bag and I see Hunter stiffen slightly behind him.

"So how do you know Black?" Tyler asks me, slinging an arm casually around my shoulders. I look back for Sam, only to see that Jordan and Derek had picked her up and were carrying her, Queen style, to class. She didn't seem to be objecting.

"Black?" I ask

"Ohh, sorry, Hunter."

"You guys call him Black?" Wow, he makes friends fast; nicknamed already?

"Yeah, we always have done," seeing my confused look, Tyler elaborates, "we know Black.. erm.. sorry, Hunter, from way back. We all went to elementary together before he and his mom moved away."

"Oh, cool. I met him yesterday - he's my new neighbour," I reply, turning back as I hear Sam squeal as she is almost dropped by the boys. Hunter is standing by them, looking at me with a look I can't pinpoint... it can't be...jealousy?! No, that's must be my imagination, Hunter does not strike me as the jealous type. A player, definitely, but not jealous. We reach my classroom and Tyler walks me to my desk, depositing my bag beside me. Jordan and Derek then parade Sam in, putting her down next to me, laughing and blowing kisses as they leave the classroom. Chase and Hunter then come over, completing the list of the Badboys to have visited our desk this morning. Wow, good thing I'm not a Kitten; I would have whiplash from all the hair flicking by now. I notice every girl's eye in the room glaring at Sam and me. The boys tell us that they will pick us up for lunch after Calculus. Just as they leave, we see Jessica and Amy getting up from their seats. This can't be good...

Hey Guys,

I'm enjoying writing this story so so much and hope you are liking it too.

Love all my readers,

Charlotte Hope <3