Love Is a Losing Game // Joel Pimentel

15 | Touch

Chapter Fifteen

Joel's POV

The day after the coffee shop study session, Blu came to school with her hair in its curls, black jeans, a gray long sleeve, and her Vans. She had her glasses on today which was different from her usual look.

I walk over to her locker and send a greeting her way, "What's up?" She smiles and shrugs, "Not much, kinda tired. What about you?" I nod to agree but just as I'm about to do see I see a ribbon fall from her wrist.

The ribbon I threw out before.

She goes to pick up at the same time as me and we both tug which in turn causes the ribbon to rip. Her face falls completely, her body grows still, and I see her hand tremble slightly.

"Shit, I'm sorry Blu. I didn't mean to, I'll get you a new one?" I begin to apologize profusely.

"You can't replace it," she mumbles as she wipes her face quickly. "It's fine, don't worry," she breathes out. I frown and pick up my half of the fabric before placing it in her palm.

"Why is it so special?" I question as she returns her focus to her locker.

She looks down before saying, "It's the last thing my mom gave me before she died." Blu glances up at me and the expression on her face tugs on my heart. Her eyes were glossy and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Damn, I'm so sorry. Is there a way I can make it up to you?" I offer just as the bell rings.

She shuts her locker and shakes her head, "It's cool. See you later?" I nod and just as I lift my hand to touch her cheek she turns around and goes to her class.

***

When I see her again I notice she still seemed pretty down and I begin to scavenge my mind for what could cheer her up.

Wait. I know her best.

She once said her comfort food was chicken nuggets with sweet and sour sauce so I decide that after school we will stop there before heading to my house to work on the project.

I walk over to her and sit in the nearest seat available. "Hey, I have a surprise for you after school," I try a smile. She nods numbly and tugs her lips upwards as a response.

My heart deflates and I plop down to her level, "Hey, what if I go to get it repaired?" She glances up at me with those green eyes and she shrugs before placing the ribbons in my hands.

"I won't let you down," I smile.

***

When we get home she plops down on my bed and happily munches on her nuggets, smiling to herself. "I see that you liked your surprise?" I chuckle. She nods and gives me a huge grin. "I'm thriving," she smiles.

I steal one from her and she offers some sauce to me. I carefully dip it and plop down next to her on the bed, tugging on one of her curls.

"Thanks," she says as she smiles at me while we chew on our food.

"For?" I ask confused. Blu looks over to me and leans down to where I'm at. "For cheering me up," she says softly. I move my head to look over at her and smile, "Of course."

***

"You did not say that to your sixth grade teacher," she shakes her head.

"I did," I laugh as I pop a strawberry into my mouth.

Blu smiles and laughs for the first time since I've met her and my whole body buzzes with warmth at the beautiful sound.

Her teeth were pearly, and something told me that she had braces at the sight of her beautifully straight teeth. Her mouth curves upwards in the most heart stopping way.

She is gorgeous.

She catches my eyes and our laughter leaves us. I see her glance at my lips and I look towards hers, biting my own.

I inhale a breath as I walk around the counter and we stand close together, our chests almost touching. Up close, I can see her dilated pupils, the redness of her lips, the thickness of her eyelashes.

I slowly bring my hand up and she flinches a bit as my fingers caress her cheek gently. She leans into my hand and I wrap an arm around her waist, pressing her against me so I can feel the way her heart beats against my chest.

Her eyes close as my lips brush against her soft cheek and I whisper, "Please don't be scared of me."

Her lips curl up into a smile once more, leaving me breathless yet again.

"I'll try," she breathes out as I move my hands so I can feel and touch her every curve and edge. My chest rises and falls with her each and every breath, my heart beating against hers, our hands slowly exploring.

I look into her eyes, marveling at the color before licking my lips and taking a step closer, seeing the slight fear in her eyes.

But then it's gone as I nudge our noses together, the gap between our lips slowly closing. Then it's like nothing else matters besides the fact that her hands are on my neck, and that she's vulnerable to my touch before me, and that she might place her lips upon mine.

Our breathing stops and I brush our lips together ever so slowly, making my eyebrows furrow together at the pain of not being able to kiss her till we don't know our names.

It happens slowly, her lips pressing against mine, feather like and then the interruption.

"Joel?"

I want to push her against the wall, I want to kiss her breathless, but as I move forward, she moves back. Blu touches her lip once, swiftly with a dark look in her eyes and then jumps away from me.

"Ah. There you are Jo-why is she here?"

My Dad frowns at the sight of Blu standing awkwardly in front of the counter and she looks at the laptop then back at me.

Typing the report.

"We were just typing up our project. That's all," I plaster a smile onto my face.

He nods once and leaves his gaze on Blu for longer than is needed.

"Carry on then."

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a/n

lowkey don't like this book but. ALSO DOESNT THIS FIT THE PLOT PERFECTLY I MEAN