lovely |k.k|

VI

The next morning went as well as usual. I got to school earlier than I expected, spending the time looking through my locker and at my schedule when a familiar face came through. I felt his prescience almost immediately, but stayed quiet as I waited for him to say something.

Knowing at least one thing about Kevin, I figured he would like me to acknowledge him pretty quickly. I didn't, so he spoke up,

"I didn't know you painted." I raised an eyebrow, looking at my hands to see if I still had any dried up oil paint on them.

I didn't, and remembering yesterday, I brought my gaze to his shit-eating grin,

"You were spying on me." I deadpanned, placing my books in my bag and looking at him incredulously.

"Good morning to you too, Cooper." He simply smiled, leaning on the locker with one arm with his backpack over the other shoulder, "And no, not spying, more like... admiring." I held back the urge to scoff, simply closing my locker and facing him,

"Are you taking photos too or is that for next time I'm painting in the middle of the night?"

"If it drives you crazy, maybe I'll be on the lookout so I can take a good one. A photo lasts longer, doesn't it?" I rolled my eyes, a furious laugh leaving me. It shocked me how much it sounded like his,

"You're unbelievable." I turned to walk away, and heard footsteps beside me and shuffling as Kevin adjusted his bag,

"And yet I'm still here. I'll walk you to class, sweet cheeks." I could hear the smile in his voice and sighed, realizing I couldn't argue with it as I glanced at him,

"You do understand that other people exist in this school, right?" He nodded, his eyes meeting mine before he looked ahead of us,

"Yes, and they're all too put-together to mess with. You like me, Cooper, it makes things more fun." We turned the hall and I stopped in front of my class door, clutching my backpack strap with white knuckles,

"Why is that?" I asked, clenching my jaw as I waited for the response,

"Because," He leaned closer, whispering into my ear,
"It shows you're fucking crazy." Just as the words left his lips, the bell rang, and he pulled back.

He gave me a slight, playful wave, with a beaming smile before turning around and walking towards whatever class he had next. I sighed, rolling my eyes and heading into the room.

Whatever defense I had towards Khatchadourian, he was avid to chase it down. I rolled my eyes, slumping down in my chair. As students began to file in, a boy sat beside me who I didn't really recognize.

I must've had anger written all over my face as he glanced at me and spoke,

"Doesn't seem like you're having that good of a morning." He said jokingly, leaning his head on his hand, "What was it this time? Did your dog eat your homework? Was the snooze button not working correctly?"

I couldn't help but chuckle, especially since the humor was so light. I tried to get the angry look off my face as I turned to him, rubbing my temple softly,

"Some boy problems, I guess." He nodded, as if he understood, and then held out his hand,

"I'm Sam, it's nice to meet you. You're new here, right?" I nodded, taking his hand and shaking it. His skin was rather warm, which fit the freckles on his face rather well.

I felt like opening up to him immediately, for some strange reason,

"Yeah, my name is Dove, I moved here last week." He raised a brow, pulling his hand back and reaching into his bag,