Cavities on a Stick

118 Coffees

I walked down the corridor on my way to English, trying my best not to drop the books I held in one hand, the strawberry crumble cupcake in the other or the phone I had squeezed between my right ear and shoulder.

"Like the time I told coach Uraz I'm not working with Laura." Ann said. "What was he gonna do? Force me?"
"My couch doesn't listen to us." I replied taking a bite of the cream cheese frosting.
"Does she not listen, or do you say nothing?"

I stopped to recall what was actually going on P.E. "I did tell her I'm not feeling well." I said. "But I don't think I sounded convincing..."
"Do you need me to stop by and talk to her for you?!" She demanded. "Just tell the woman you're feeling lightheaded."
"She..."

I caught sight of Justin leaning against the locker next to mine, in his Lions uniform, gym bag in hand.
Why do boys carry their gym bags like it's an elite accessory?
"I'll call you later." I said. "Someone just strike another nerve."

"What do you want?" I called, hanging up and
placing the phone on top of the books.
"Word's been around," he said throwing an apple into the air and catching it. "You nearly marched after me."

I bite the inside of my cheek.
Boy, these two are close. I thought.
If one bought beer the other was seen with a can, if one heard something, the other was bound to know of it.

Some days I wondered if Taylor was Justin's personal guard.
But even Victor wasn't this keen.

"I wouldn't say marched." I replied.
"Then what would you say?" He asked stepping away from the locker.

How'd he know that was my locker?
"Are you finding it hard to stand the sight of me eating?" I asked. "Wanna steal this as well?"
"No, I'll politely hold it for you." He said. "So you can access your locker easily."

I placed the cupcake down on my books with a sly smile.
With my now free hand I opened my locker.
Justin peeked over my shoulder as I put in the pin and I was far too mousy to tell him not to.
I'd just change it later.

I had never been invisible despite my great desire of being so. It was hard to go unnoticed when you always had a comment to pass during lectures and you walked around with a hot "step cousin" by your side.
But neither had I ever been the centre of anyone's attention. Anyone besides Victor, of course.

I could feel Justin's breath on my hair. His presence right behind me.
It made my head swim, the hair on my neck stood up.

He reached over my shoulder and put a cup of coffee on my locker shelf.
Dear me.
"What's this?"
"Flirting with you," he said behind me.
Fuck you, Zoey.

"No, thanks." I muttered turning to face him.
I met his gaze, absorbing his wide smile. His sweet smile that assured he was harmless.
But harmful people seldom looked vicious.
Mostly they looked beautiful and warm and tempting, and I was most certainly tempted to touch him.  To feel if the necklace he wore was warm or cold. To watch him for hours, but can you ever watch enough with just two eyes?

"Take it." He said reaching for the cup again and giving it me. "To owe is woe."
I took a deep breath and reached for the cup.

Salted Caramel white mocha cold brew. Read the sticker label on the side.

"I don't like mocha." I said, handing him the cup so he'd leave me alone. So he'd leave before I make a fool out of myself.

But instead of leaving he reached into his backpack and took out another cup.
"Oh." I breathed, taking the cup from him.