Knock, Knock (Lenny Pearce/Justice Crew Fanfic)

Chapter 4: Lovesick Puppies

* Lenny’s POV *

“Hey! I’m really sorry. I’m so bad with the time lately.” Ava apologised when she saw me inside Vanilla Bean, waiting for her. “Did you wait too long?” She smiled, guiltily.

“It’s fine, Miss Ava.” I assured her that it was worth waiting, never mind that I’ve actually been here for twenty minutes already. But no, I’m fine with it. At least, she didn’t back out or anything. No complaints.

I stood up and helped her sit across from me, before heading back to my seat. “Thank you, Kind Sir.” She uttered as I laughed. Hearing it sounded so sweet, but it actually made me a bit uncomfortable with the nickname. But then again, a part of me hoped that I was the only guy she called that name.

“Can we drop the name? You can just call me Len or Lenny, whichever you like. But if you want to continue with the nick, that’s fine too.” I babbled, and mentally slapped myself numerous times for embarrassing myself in front of her.

She giggled as I expected, though, for different reasons. Not because she was ashamed that she was with me, but more of how entertaining I was apparently. Well, I’m glad I could be a laughing stock, or rather be that guy who can make her laugh and still get to hang out with her.

But what if she only likes me as a friend and nothing else? Oh snap.

“Sure, if you drop the Miss.” She uttered. “As far as I know, my birth certificate only had Ava as my first name.”

I nodded. “Okay M-… Ava.”

“Way better.” She smiled, before covering her face with the menu, perhaps checking what’s good in here. Once she was done, she folded back the menu properly and had set it aside.

“I’ll just have a sandwich. What about you?” She asked, and it took long before I could respond, only because I was glued to watching her smile that maybe I was even blinded by it.

Len, calm down. Stay normal, please. For the sake of your heart. For the people who’s counting on you, and for the sake of proving to the others that I can do this.

That I, Lenny Pearce, can unlock the code for Ava Wright’s heart.

“Len?” She giggled, sending shivers to my spine. Is this even normal? How come I’ve never experienced this with any other girl I’ve been with? I feel like a lovesick puppy.

“I’ll have a sandwich too.” We ordered and talked on and on anything under the sun.

She asked me about Justice Crew, my family, interests, among other things. And in return, she told me about her family, business, interests, and friends.

“So you mean you were born in this town?” I asked and she nodded, telling me more about their old house and why they left. To be honest, learning that she was from here surprised me, only because when I met her at the deck, it was the first time I’ve known who she was.  

Which got me thinking – where have I been all this time? How come I’m the only person who didn’t know who she was?

“Yeah, but my dad and I moved to Melbourne when I was 7. My parents divorced, and then my dad remarried.” She explained.

“Oh I’m sorry about your parents-“

“It’s fine. I mean, it was better than hearing them fight all day. They’re okay now. I guess some people are better off as friends, no matter how much common interests you have with one another.” Oh no. Why am I nervous all of a sudden?

“Why didn’t you…?”

“My dad and mum fought for custody and in the end, dad won. But I still have communications with my mum. She lives nearby, and I spend time with her on most Sundays while I visit my dad during the holidays.”