The Promise of You and I

11. Everything Has Changed

Edited by: @grecya

11. Everything Has Changed

~~~

Lips.

They are beautiful, really.

The simplicity of Cupid's bow.

The tempting ark of the lower lip...

The way they can softly caress another's. The way they can form a gorgeous smile. The way they form words and sounds.

So what made Steve's so special? Is it the way he bites his lower lip before he smirks? Or maybe the way his dimple forms as the corners of his mouth turned up? Perhaps it's the way they feel against my own.

Soft, yet commanding. Kind, but forceful in a fantastic manner.

"What are you thinking about?" his soft voice caresses my ear.

"You," I practically pant out with my heart filling my throat. My gaze on the sky quickly snaps to the ground as blood rushes to my cheeks.

Steve smirks at my response as he pulls away from my ear. Peering back up at him, I see him nodding and glancing around the parking lot while trying to hold back a smile. When I make accidental eye contact, I force my eyes back to the pavement. "Thought so," he chuckles.

I take a step back, allowing clear thoughts to enter my head. He has never even talked to me before, so why is he all-of-a-sudden so touchy? Why is this parking lot completely barren of people?

"Um... Let's, uh, let's go inside, yeah?" my words stumble out while I turn back towards the school's main doors. I don't look back to see if Steve is following because I can hear his feet begin to move after I take a few paces. I speed up in order to put more space between us so I can think rationally.

Rational.

That is everything these past 2 weeks have not been. From the skating incident, to Steve, to the movie night; nothing has been normal.

I yank my phone out of my pocket and see 6 notifications. My mother called twice while I was sleeping last night, then texted me twice this morning. Taylor texted me asking where I was three minutes ago. And, finally, there is the text from the unknown number from last night.

UN: You looked adorable tonight, Mills.

Mills... Only two people call me that: Steve and Cory. And both were present last night.

But that doesn't make sense. Neither of them have my number. Neither of them has talked to me outside of our childhood and last night.

Problems for another time.

I begin swiping my thumbs quickly across my phone screen to answer my mother and Taylors concerns.

Mom: Are you doing okay? I called and you didn't answer! I'm going to have to take a business trip. More details tonight. Love you.

Me: I'm fine, mom. Sorry I didn't answer, I was sleeping. Talk later. Love u 2.

Taylor: Where r u?

Me: See u in class

As I stare at the text message from the unknown number, a lightbulb goes off.

"Steve," I start as I turn to face him.

"Yeah?" He looks back at me and shoves his phone in his front jean pocket. His eyebrows raise in concern, forming a small crease in his forehead.

"I was... I was wondering..." I trail off. Wondering what? What am I supposed to ask? Hey Steve, what's your phone number? Why? Oh, because I think you are the one texting me weird compliments from a random number.

Yeah. I'm not doing that.

"Nevermind,".

"Tell me,"

"It's nothing," Lie.

"Mills, come on," Steve keeps prodding. I need to think of something to say. Fast.

"Why are you talking to me all of a sudden?" Why did I just say that?

"Uhhh," Steve pauses, looking shocked. "I, well, I uhh..." He opens and closes his mouth but no words come out. His green eyes seem to search my face. The intensity of them make my cheeks flush and my eyes shoot downward.

I slowly turn around and take a step forward. Almost inside. Fumbling with my phone, I think of a new plan.

As a new one begins to form, I inwardly smile. Lifting the screen closer to my face I begin to type a message to the number:

Me: Who is this?

I glance back at Steve only to find him staring back at me. I see a flash in his pocket where his phone must be.

Oh my God.

It has to be him.

I want to demand an explanation. Why couldn't he just say it was him? Am I angry it's him? Happy? I'm confused. That's what I am.

"Wh-"

BRRRRRIIIINNNNNGGGG

I'm cut off by the bell, yet again, signaling that we are both officially late.

"Later, Mills," Steve almost whispers as he breezes past me into the school leaving an ocean-minty trail that dares me to follow.

I don't.

But, dear God, I almost do.

~~~

AN: 

HI GUYS!!!!! I am so sorry this chapter is kinda boring (and short) but I hope you enjoyed it! I think it is super important for Lec to figure out things (so she thinks) at this point. 

As always, any form of art you make while thinking of this story SEND TO ME!!!!!!!!

Also, super sorry about how long it takes to update these. So, for those who are still reading, I LOVE YOU! You all really make me so happy :))))

Don't forget to like, vote, and comment! (Maybe share it with a friend or anyone really!)

XOXO

Syd