Just Us

(3) I'm Anxious, Not Flirty

I hitched my backpack on my shoulder and started heading out of my room. Dani was following closely behind me.

"Mom!" I called out. She poked her head out from the back door, looking at me with her doe eyes that I mentally cringe. Shaking my head, I ignored my thoughts. "I'm going home. I'll see you and the dimwit by Saturday."

Pouting, she nodded. "Alright. Call me when you get home," she replied and squeezed her small frame through the door and hugged me tightly. The strength this small woman had was beyond me, especially when she managed to lift Dani off his feet when she embraced him.

Sighing, I tapped mom's shoulder. "Mom, let him breathe."

"Oh dear! I apologize!" she exclaimed and let him go. Dani wobbled on his feet and I shot my free hand to keep him steady. He sent me a grateful smile before bidding goodbye to my mom.

"I'll be leaving with her. I had to pick up some groceries for the week," he said, a smile seemed permanently etched on his face. "It was nice meeting you, Lauren." He shook my mom's hand and she took it happily.

"Of course! You're always welcome here!" My mom recited her usual line to every single person she had ever met.

The three other boys came into the living room where we were and I scowled when Martin and Jay whispered whilst keeping their gaze on me. What the fuck. Greg was still glued to his phone until he heard Dani bid goodbye to the other two.

"Dude, what about me?" Greg interjected, a bit annoyed.

Dani's eyes widen slightly. He scratched the back of his neck and looked back at me. "Can we-"

A loud laugh boomed and we all turned to Martin. "Don't worry, man. We gotcha. We'll be off, auntie. See you tomorrow!"

Martin and Jay dragged Greg, and every one of us waved back to my mom. I headed straight to the garage to start the car. I could hear footsteps behind me and I need not look to know it was the annoying duo.

Without looking up, I said, "What do you need?"

Laughter ensued and I ignored them. I continued putting my stuff in the back seat when they decided to tackle me. I fell forward the seat and grunted. I turned around half of my body and was about to scream my head off when I came face to face with Dani.

Holy motherfucking shit of sweetcorn.

His face was inches away from me and he was biting his lips. I could clearly see his brown orbs sparkling from the light outside. He leaned in, I moved closer, and we-

No. I was fucking kidding. Those shits only happen in my novels. Feeling the urge to kiss someone you just met was called perversion, not fucking love. Like what Queen Elsa said, "You can't marry the man you just met," or in this case, you cannot sexually harass them just because they were hot.

So I did what people should actually do in situations like this, I pulled back. With a poker face, I put my hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him." Can you get off me?"

He scrambled away from me, carefully doing so to avoid touching me. Which was a good idea since I was tempted to punch him if he so touched the tip of my finger.

"I'm sorry! They, Martin, they just," he stuttered as I crawled back outside. Martin and Jay were smiling sheepishly while Greg was there looking dumbfounded.

I glared at the two and they ran away. Literally. They had Greg locked under their arms as they sprinted away from our house. Dani and I were left alone and I told him to get in the car. My mood dropped a hundred feet below freezing point by now and all I could do was think of preparing a chamomile tea for me when I get home.