Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Three

Joe turned to find Sal admiring the girl, as he waved his hand in front of his face, gaining no response from the boy, who was head over heels for the girl. He sat at the table, his head resting in the palm of his hand, in a little world of his own.

"Sal, stop daydreaming man!" Joe shouted, shaking at his shoulder. Sal was knocked out of his daze, as he looked around the group, being met with a concerned glare from each of them.

"W-What?" He asked, being oblivious to his actions.

"It's like Brian stalking after Beth all over again." James commented, as Beth's eyebrows furrowed, a sly grin pulling at her lips. She turned to face her boyfriend, coming to find his cheeks flushed, as he glowered at his friend. A sweet giggle passed her lips, as she playfully hit at his chest.

"Is that true?" She queried, as Brian stumbled over his words, his pubescent voice cracking hard.

"I-I...erm, n-no, no...um." He stammered, the embarrassment evident on his face. Beth excused herself, standing from the table to leave the boys to it, not before placing a soft kiss to Brian's cheek. He interlinked his fingers loosely with hers, bidding her goodbye, watching, as she strolled away from the group. As soon as Beth was out of sight, Brian turned to the boy, scowling at him. "Nice one, James!" He hissed.

"Sorry..." James cowered, as Brian huffed frustratingly in his seat.

"Anyway..." Joe announced, turning his attention back to Sal. "How's the girlfriend?"

"Shut up, Joe, she's not my girlfriend." Sal muttered, his eyes falling down to his lap, as he ran a hand through his dark curls of hair.

"Oh, I know that. But it's pretty obvious that you have the hots for her, Dude." Joe chuckled, hearing a deep sigh pass from the boy's lips.

"We're just friends." Sal responded, as the three boys all arched their eyebrows.

"Yeah," Brian laughed. "For now you are."

"I could never get a girl like that...even you guys said it yourselves." Sal sighed. He pulled his schoolbag up onto the table, pulling out his copy of Deadpool. "She's incredible, she even had a copy of Deadpool."

"You're kidding me." Brian stated in awe. "A girl...who likes comic books?"

Sal nodded, letting a smile play on his lips, as he pictured Bryony in his mind. He got lost in his thoughts once again, his mind constantly replaying her smile that he had already fallen for. He came back down to Earth, being met with his friends all staring at him.

"Looks like our little Salvatore is in love." Joe teased, ruffling his hand through Sal's hair, as his hand was batted away.

"So what if I am? She's perfect." He gushed. The sound of a female voice came from behind him, as he froze in his spot, turning to follow the soundwaves, coming to find Bryony and Beth stood behind him.

"I'll ask again, whose perfect?" Bryony questioned, as Sal gulped, his cheeks blushing wildly. He stared at the girl, his mouth agape, as his words became lost in his brain. He didn't know how to respond, she had clearly heard him. Joe went to answer for him, when Sal finally found an answer to give her.

"He was talking abo-"

"Wonder Woman." Sal stated simply. "I was talking about Wonder Woman."

Bryony moved to take a seat next to him, as his gaze followed her. She faked a smile, feeling her heart crumble within her chest. She wanted it to be her that he was talking about. Even within the few hours of attending the school, Bryony had fallen for the chivalrous boy, entering a new territory in the whole talking to boys chapter of her life.