City to Sticks

Chapter Ten

10—Jake P.O.V.

"It's about time you two got together. When did it become official?" Sage asked, as Holly and I arrived at school on Monday. I was holding Holly's hand as we entered the building.

"Oh, we're not official." Holly said stiffly.

"Like hell we're not." I snapped.

Holly glared at me, "To be official, you would have had to ask me to be your girlfriend and since you have not done so, then no we're not official."

"Trouble in paradise already?" Granger chuckled.

"Shut up, Dude." I told him and rolled my eyes as I asked her, "Holly Gomes, will you be my girlfriend?"

"No." She said without thought.

"No?!" I bellowed.

Holly glared at me, "If you wanted me to be your girlfriend then you would have asked me without needing to be coaxed into it. The fact that you asked me now, only after being prompted, takes away the sincerity."

I looked to the ceiling, "Lord, help me find patience."

"This is some funny shit." Granger said, elbowing Davis who smirked quietly, but couldn't take his eyes off Sage. Did my shy friend have a crush on Granger's cousin? I'd have to pay more attention to that, but right now I had bigger problems. I debated about what to do. Holly wasn't like other girls I knew. She had her own way of doing things, so I'd have to tread lightly. Forget that, I decided a moment later, and bent at the waist, putting my shoulder to her stomach, and lifted. I'd warned her that she brought out the caveman in me, well she was now witnessing it firsthand. She shrieked as I began carrying her down the hall, looking for a private spot.

"Jake, put me down this second! You're making a fool out of me. You're making a fool out of yourself. Everyone is looking at my butt." That last tidbit, had me putting her back on her feet and glaring at everyone in the halls, making several people laugh. I rolled my eyes and when I saw that Holly was about to let me have it, I cupped the back of her neck and pulled her lips to mine. At the same time, I backed her into the nearest classroom, shutting us inside, and gently pushed her against the wall.

She instantly fisted her hands in my shirts, trying to pull me closer. I bent and lifted her, pressing her back against the wall as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I wanted nothing more than take her against that very wall, but that wouldn't be appropriate. One, we were at school and someone could walk in at any moment. Two, Holly deserved more than that.

The door suddenly opened and in walked the janitor. Earl Edwards had worked for the school since as far back as I can remember. He was a good guy, but I didn't know what he'd do finding two teenagers necking in a deserted classroom. He froze upon seeing us and we both stiffened, waiting for him to give us a hint of what we should do. Earl shook his head, chuckling as he said, "Don't mind me. Proceed. I was young and in love once myself."

"Oh we're not in—"

"Babe, if you say we're not anything right now, I swear I will spank you in front of Earl and anyone else wanting to watch." I growled. "We are a couple, do you hear me? Because I want us to be, not because someone pushed me into asking you to be my girlfriend. So will you, be my girlfriend, because I love you. There I said it. I'm in love with you, Holly Gomes. I don't care if anyone says that we're too young and it happened too fast. Fuck them. I. Am. In. Love. With. You."

Her eyes widened and her body went limp. I slowly lowered her feet back to the floor, but kept ahold of her so she wouldn't collapse. She looked around the room, her eyes darting around nervously. Crap, I knew it was too soon to say it, but she just pushed my buttons so easily that I found myself blurting out things that I should hold off on. Finally her eyes met mine and I could see that hers were watery. I was about to apologize. I don't really know what I'd apologize for, but I didn't want her upset.

"I love you too." She whispered, so softly, I wondered if I heard her correctly.

I smiled, "You love me?"

She rolled her eyes, "Don't be so smug about it."

"And you're my girlfriend now?"

"Yes." She sighed.

"Good." I said and gave her a quick peck, before winking at Earl, taking her hand, and pulled her out of the room. Several people gave us knowing looks and I wanted to smack them. What did they think they knew? What business of it was theirs?

Granger smirked, "Well, did you two settle your differences?"

"Shut. Up. Dude. You're not helping me here. I've got a cranky girlfriend on my hands." I wrapped my arms around her, from behind and pulled her against my chest, kissing her neck, to take any sting out of my words. She shivered and tilted her head, giving me better access to nuzzle her neck. I grinned against her skin. She'd called me smug before and I was definitely that. Holly Gomes was mine and I was never letting her go, not if I could help it.