Becoming "Forever Yours"

Ch. 5 Doll Face.

"Where the hell have you been?!" Gina all but cursed me out in front of everyone in the hallway. "It's been days since we've seen you!"

"When I got home the other day, my mom left a note that she would be away on business. Thought I'd take the opportunity to, you know, have some time to myself."

"You know how we feel about you being alone for a long time." Nancy wrapped around my arm as if to console herself. "Next time, call us."

"I know, thanks. I just.. needed it."

"We get it." Gina nudged me with a soft smile. "But you're going to have to treat to pizza since we got all your notes and assignments." She smiled mischievously.

"You devil, you." I smiled and allowed her to lace through my other arm. "I need to get my books.. No, no, no!" I whispered harshly. "Turn back around, turn back around.." I all but swung the girls off my arm in an attempt to abort mission.

"What the hell, Cole?" Gina nudged me with her elbow, wondering why I had immediately changed course.

"It's.. her." I couldn't say her name. I didn't want Gina and Nance thinking there was anything more than it was, being that I hadn't told either of them about our little run in days ago. "It's the Clay girl."

"Clay girl?" Gina glanced behind us.

"Don't!" I dropped my voice lower, "..look behind us.." I sighed. "She'll know we're talking about her."

"Since when do you care and when did she go from Gwen back to Clay girl?"

"Shh!" I shook her arm, "Stop saying her-" Just as I peered around to make sure she wasn't watching, we made immediate eye contact.

"Yo, doll face!" I couldn't deny her loudness if I tried.

"Oh, no.." I put my forehead against Gina's arm.

"Doll face?" Nancy jiggled my arm with a squeal, and I swatted at her.

"What's up? I haven't seen you around." She smiled at Gina and Nancy as a hello, before looking back at me.

I turned towards her. "Took a few days off. Needed a break from all the bit-"

Gina hit me.

I glared at her, but reworded my sentence. "Just needed to get away for a bit."

"Why? Were you looking for her for something?" Nancy pitched in. I wanted to strangle her.

"Wanted to see if you wanted a ride home, you know. To repay you for making you take the long way home." She bore that crooked-lip smile.

I could feel Gina and Nancy's eyes burning holes into the sides of my head.

"That was the long way home." I smirked. "Thanks anyways. Come on guys, let's go."

"I'll see you in class!" She called out behind me and I could hear the smile still in her tone.

I couldn't help but to smile too.

"What was that about?"

I sifted through my papers. "It was nothing, don't read too much into it."

"You're lying. You're not making eye contact with me."

"Ever thought it's because I have to turn in all these assignments?"

"Cole!" Gina whispered harshly at me. "Come on, spill it. Don't lie to your best friend."

"Ugh, I ran into her the day Margot and I.." I let that sentence drift off. "She was blocking my way, I was rude as per usual, and then we parted ways. That's all. Anything else?" I Cliff-Note versioned it.

"If that was all, how come you didn't tell me sooner?" She nearly squealed. "Did you not hear her offer you a ride on her bike or are you tone deaf?" She pretended to sign something with her hands.

"I'm deaf to everyone but you and Nancy here, and even you two are pushing it." I warned with my pencil. "Now let me study."

"Study that." She smiled, looking up as I brought my head up to follow.

Oh, God. What are you doing here?

Gwen slid her way in amongst the ruckus of the class and made her way towards the back, directly towards me. She pulled a chair from behind her and sat backwards in it. Dead center on the opposite side of my desk.

I openly stared at her, unsure of what to say.

"You're upset with me." She narrowed her eyes, but not in a manner to show anger. More so, to show her mind grinding that sentence over its gears.

"Don't think too hard." I poked the middle of her brows with the eraser side of my pencil. "You'll hurt yourself."

"You know, people here at Green Grove would kill for a ride?" She smirked at me jokingly.

"So go bother them." I looked back at my papers.

She tilted her head. "That's what you think I'm doing?"

"What?" I gave up, crossing my hands in front of me and looking back up at her.

She sat back in the chair, leaning an elbow on the desk behind her. That side smile returning to her face. "Bothering you." She nodded with her head toward me once.

For some stupid reason, I felt the creep of a blush start at the bridge of my nose, heating it. And if I wasn't so lightheaded by the simple gesture, I would've been sure I'd seen her glance briefly at my nose before looking back up at me.

"What do you want.. Gwen?" I leaned forward.

"Mm.." She mimicked me, her face inches from mine. "Let's be friends. I don't like the thought of you hating me, not like you do everyone else."

It was when Gina interrupted, that I sat back now aware of the entrancing moment I found myself to be in.

"She doesn't hate everyone here."

Gwen moved her light brown eyes over to Gina. "She holds her friends dear. Even old ones I assume." Her eyes flicked back over to me knowingly. "Why I'm wanting to be friends." She stood up. "Think about it, doll. I won't pressure you." And with that, the smell of very real leather was gone.

"If I had any panties on." Gina giggled. "They would be for her."

I couldn't help but to laugh. "You can have her arrogant ass if you want her." But I couldn't say I wouldn't admit the same.