Mayhem

by Catharina Maura

  “Emilia?”

  I turn around to find a tall blonde guy calling my name. He looks familiar, but I can’t recall where I know him from. I frown and smile at him politely. He freezes and cups his neck awkwardly.

  “You don’t remember me, do you?” he murmurs. I blush and shake my head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He sighs and looks down at his shoes. “It’s Anthony. Tony, from down the block?”

  I look at him with wide eyes. “Tony?” I repeat, in complete disbelief. He chuckles at my expression and nods. “I— wow. You… you look different,” I stammer awkwardly. He used to be really small, and to be honest, really snotty. “I didn’t recognize you. I’m so sorry.”

  He shakes his head and smiles at me, his cheeks tinged pink. Tony has lived near me for years, and every once in a while he, Kate, Carter and I would hang out at the nearby playground. I haven’t seen him in a while though. He definitely doesn’t look like the snotty little kid he used to be.

  “We aren’t in the same grade, so we don’t share any classes, but I see you occasionally. Every time I see you I want to say hi, but you’re usually so busy,” he murmurs.

  I frown. Tony and I go to the same school? How did I not know that? It makes sense, because why else would he be standing in the school gym? Besides, our town isn’t exactly big. We have a grand total of two high schools to choose from. I don’t think I’ve seen him in the halls even once though. I suddenly feel even more embarrassed and stare down at my shoes awkwardly.

  “I’m here to pick up my sister. Layla?”

  I look up at him in surprise. “Layla is your sister?” I murmur. “How come she never mentioned it?” I say more to myself than to him. Layla is even more of a wallflower than I am. She’s quiet, but she’s an incredibly good dancer. I don’t think I’ve ever even had a real conversation with her. Even when she was younger she never liked going outside so we never really played with her growing up. We rarely even played with Tony, come to think of it.

  “Ah, well yeah, she’s my sister. I usually wait for her outside, but I saw you standing here and I just thought I’d come in and say hi.”

  Tony smiles shyly and I can’t help but blush in return. He’s acting all flustered and cute, and I don’t know how to respond to that at all.

  “I thought maybe we could catch up at some point?” he says, his voice so soft I barely even hear him. I nod and glance back at Kate, but she’s so caught up in Gabby that I can’t catch her attention.

  “Maybe we could go see a movie or something tomorrow?” Tony says, and I blanch. Is he asking me out? I thought he meant he wanted to catch up with both Kate and me. My surprise must show, because his cheeks turn bright red and he looks away.

  I subconsciously look at Carter. How would he respond if I agreed to go out with Tony? I grit my teeth when I realize that all of his attention is on Gabby. My stomach twists uncomfortably and I’m instantly enraged. I turn back to Tony and look up at him.

  “Yeah, sure. Why not?” I say. Tony grins and exhales in relief. “Okay, great,” he says. “I’ll wait for you after school, and we can just leave together.”

  I nod, suddenly a little flustered. This is a date, isn’t it? My first date ever.

  Chapter 12

  Carter

  I turn the shower off and inhale deeply. Why do I smell Emilia’s sweet perfume? It’s faint, but it’s there, and it definitely wasn’t there when I got into the shower. She’s either been in my room while I was showering or she’s still there. What is she pulling now?

  I grin to myself and wrap my towel around my hips before walking out of my bathroom nonchalantly. She doesn’t move quickly enough and I clearly see her dive behind my bed. I’m sure she thinks she’s moving like a freaking ninja though. Too cute.

  Now, what should I do? I could lie down on my bed and give her another one of those shows I know she loves, but I’m not sure I have the courage to do that. It’s different when she’s right there and I think it’d be more awkward than sexy. Instead I walk around my bed, and Emilia clumsily crawls underneath it to hide from me. How does she even remotely think she’s being stealthy? She’s quiet, but not so quiet that I wouldn’t notice her.

  I bite down on my lip to keep from laughing and sit down on my bed. I sit on my knees and lean over the bed just enough to grab her legs. I pull her from underneath my bed and she squeals.

  “Oh shit!” she shouts. Emilia jumps out of my grip and turns towards the door, but I pull her back before she can make a run for it. She stumbles and falls into my arms. Before she has a chance to flee, I turn her over and pin her down on my bed.

  “Now what do we have here?” I whisper, leaning over her. Emilia laughs and squirms underneath me. Her movements make her dress ride up and I’m hard instantly. Emilia stills when she realizes what position we’re in. I’m leaning over her, my body on full display, while she’s flat on her back on my bed.

  Her eyes roam over my body hungrily and she gulps. She tries to drag her eyes away but she doesn’t last more than a second before they’re back on my chest again. Her cheeks redden rapidly and her breathing accelerates. Looks like my little Minx is affected by me. I’ve suspected it for some time, but I’m still secretly thrilled.

  “What did you do, Minx?” I whisper. She grins wickedly and I grab her hands. I pin them down above her head and lower my body on top of her fully. She gasps softly and looks at me with wide eyes. “You…You’re..” she whispers. My hard on is pressing against her stomach shamelessly. Instead of pulling away she tilts her hips up to better align with mine. Does she realize what she’s doing?

  “I’m what?” I murmur, my face hovering above hers. Emilia arches her back subconsciously and presses her chest into me. Her eyes darken and the way she looks at me does funny things to my heart.

  “Carter,” she whispers. My name sounds like a plea on her lips. I didn’t think I could get any harder, but I was obviously wrong. I subtly grind my hips against Emilia’s and a small moan escapes her lips. She parts her legs just slightly to get me closer, and I doubt she’s even conscious of her movements.

  “Tell me what you did, Minx.”

  She blinks, as though she doesn’t know what I’m talking about, and I grin. Looks like my little Minx is struggling to focus. I wonder how she’ll react if I tease her a little more. I rotate my hips against hers and her eyes fall closed. She lifts her hips just slightly and I push against her. Emilia moans softly and blinks, her eyes hazy with lust. Looks like the little shows I’ve been giving her have turned her on as much as they have me. Her body melts against mine.

  “Not telling,” she whispers.

  I chuckle and shake my head. I lower my face to hers until my lips are hovering just above hers. I want to kiss her so badly. What would she taste like? Would she be as sweet as she smells?

  “Hmm… I guess I’ll have to torture the information out of you. What should I do, huh? What kind of prank could you possibly have pulled on me this time?”

  Emilia shakes her head vigorously and grins victoriously. She hooks her leg over mine and pushes against me, as though she wants to push me off. I panic slightly, worried that she wants to get away from me, and I let go of her.

  She laughs and pushes against me until she’s got me on my back. I’m surprised when she straddles me, sitting right on top of my dick. I’m so hard that my towel is tenting up ridiculously and Emilia giggles.

  “Oh, Carter… who would’ve known that the devil had a sweet spot for me?” she whispers. I bite down on my lip and look at her. Her dress is bunched up around her waist and I can just about catch a glimpse of her black underwear. Her skin is flushed and her eyes are flashing with passion. She’s teasing me, but I suspect she’s just as turned on. I can’t believe she’s being this bold, but I freaking love it.

  “Well, baby, who says I don’t respond like this to every girl that sneaks into my bedroom while I’m in the shower?”

  Emilia’s expression drops and a hint of insecurity replaces her fo
rmer bravado. I regret my words instantly. My hands move to her hips and I hold her gingerly. She looks away and sits in my lap, frozen. The moment broken. So it bothers her to think that my reaction to her isn’t exclusive to her, huh? I sigh and run my hand over her back.

  “So, what did you do, Minx?” I whisper. She blinks as though she’s only just remembering what she came here to do in the first place, and she laughs evilly. Whatever she did, it’ll be a good one.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she says, grinning. I’m relieved to see the smile back on her face and put my arms behind my back. I lie back contentedly while Emilia sits on top of me like it’s the most normal thing in the world. She’s far more brazen than I thought she’d be and I freaking love it. She doesn’t even seem to feel self-conscious because of my hard on. If anything, she seems to revel in it.

  “You do this often, Minx?” I murmur, an annoying thought crossing my mind. “Climbing on top of guys that are half naked and rock hard?”

  Her cheeks turn bright red and she looks at me with wide eyes. I bite back a smile. I’m enjoying this far too much.

  “I mean, if you want, I can always remove the towel.”

  I didn’t think she could get any redder, but she does. Emilia looks flustered and shocked, but why doesn’t she look repulsed? She glares at me half-heartedly and I wrap my hands around her tiny waist. She’s so beautiful. It’s unreal.

  I shift on my bed and feel something underneath me, almost like a marble. I frown and reach under my back, only to find that whatever it is, it’s underneath my sheets. Emilia grins and jumps off me as I reach underneath my blankets. My fingers wrap around something that feels an awful lot like an insect and my heart drops. She knows I fucking hate insects. I raise my hand to my face with wide eyes and a pounding heart. My panic must be obvious because she bursts out laughing and makes a run for the door.

  I’m so shocked by the cockroach in my hand that I can’t even stop her from leaving. I drop it in fright and stare at it in horror. Emilia’s phone camera flashes from my peripheral vision and then she’s gone.

  I stare at the horrendous thing on my bed in utter shock. It takes me a full five minutes to realize it isn’t even real. I pick it back up with trembling hands and shake my head. This girl…she’ll be the death of me.

  Chapter 13

  Emilia

  I rush out of the house, munching on my breakfast bar with half my books still in my arms instead of in my bag. I know that damn devil is going to leave me behind if I don’t hurry up. He’s done it to Kate before and I don’t doubt that he’ll do it to me too if I ever give him the chance. Ever since he got his license and his car last year he’s become even more insufferable. I know he’s going to want payback for the cockroach prank too. I’d be a fool to give him an excuse.

  Carter is leaning against his car, arms crossed and his eyes on his watch. He’s wearing dark jeans with a black tee that looks far too good on him. My eyes roam over his body and linger on his crotch. I blush immediately, my mind flashing back to the way I sat in his lap yesterday. What was I even thinking? I can’t believe I behaved that way. I just can’t think straight when it comes to Carter.

  Ever since we were suspended together I’ve turned into a nympho of sorts. I can’t stop thinking about Carter and the way he touched himself. I can’t help but wonder what he’ll feel like against me and what he might feel like in my hands. I keep peeking into his bedroom like the pervert I’ve become. In the weeks since our suspension I haven’t seen him touch himself the way he did then, but he keeps forgetting to close his curtains and walks around half naked all the time. It’s a sight I enjoy far too much. Would he be embarrassed if he found out I’ve been watching him? Would he think I’m weird? I can’t look at him without my thoughts turning indecent.

  Carter glances up from his watch and I snap out of it.I jump into the car and glare at Kate, who’s occupying the back seat. “I don’t understand why we can’t both sit in the back,” I snap, reviving our daily argument. Carter leans over me and his cologne washes over me. Whatever he’s wearing smells delicious on him. My heart starts racing and I blush when he grabs my seatbelt and buckles me in.

  “For the last time, Minx. I’m not your damn driver. One of you is sitting in the front or neither one of you is coming with me.”

  I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. Kate puts her hand on my seat and leans in as far as her seatbelt allows her to. “So, are you excited for your date?” she asks. My head whips towards her and I look at her with wide eyes. I shake my head frantically to indicate that she needs to shut up, but she glances at me and then at Carter with a wide smile on her face.

  “What date?” Carter asks, his tone sharp.

  I shake my head and sit up straight. I look out the window and try to hide my crimson cheeks. “She’s kidding,” I tell him. I see his hands tighten on his steering wheel and I bite down on my lip. He can’t find out. If Carter finds out he’ll find a way to ruin the first date I’ve ever been asked on. I can’t let that happen. Most of the girls in my class have done far more than date, and I’ve never even been kissed yet. If it’s up to Carter, I never will be. I’d be okay with that if for just a single second I thought Carter wasn’t dating either, but I know there’s just no way that that’s true. I know he kissed Jennifer. My stomach twists uncomfortably at the thought of the two of them together. If Carter gets to do stuff like that, then so do I.

  Besides, it’s both his and Kate’s fault I agreed to the date in the first place. Kate is hanging out with Gabby later, and I can’t seem to get Carter off my mind lately. I don’t like it at all. Every time I get lost in thought, I wind up thinking about him. After the way we were yesterday I feel a bit conflicted about going on a date, but that little moment in his bed probably didn’t even mean anything to him.

  “What date?” he repeats, his voice low and dangerous. I know that voice. He only ever sounds that way when I’m really, really close to snapping his patience. I bite down on my lip and stare out the window. If I just refuse to answer he’ll eventually let it go. He knows from experience that I’ll only talk if I want to.

  “Oh, Tony asked her out. I can’t believe it took him this long to finally freaking ask. He’s been crazy about Milly for years now, but she barely realized he even existed. I’m so excited!” Kate says. She bounces in her seat, ignoring the death stare I’m giving her from the mirror. She leans back into her seat, looking pleased. I shake my head, shocked by her betrayal. How could she do this to me? She knows Carter is going to fuck this up for me now.

  “Tony who? Tony fucking Andrews?” Carter says. He looks at me, his eyes blazing. I shrug. “None of your damn business,” I reply, fuming. Carter clenches his jaw and stares straight ahead. It’s eerily silent for a couple of minutes.

  “No,” Carter says eventually. I frown and look at him in question. “You can’t go. I forbid it,” he says angrily.

  I burst out laughing. “You forbid it?” I repeat, my shackles raised. This asshole. “Who do you think you are, Carter? You’re not my dad. I’m going, whether you like it or not.”

  “No, you’re fucking not, Emilia,” he yells. He looks furious, which is really unlike him. Carter has his dad’s patience. He never gets mad and he never even really snaps at me, but it looks like he just can’t help it today. The idea of me going out with Tony really pisses him off.

  “When?” he asks. Kate looks from me to him with wide eyes, as though even she didn’t expect his anger. “Catherine, when?” he asks, slightly calmer. She hesitates and then answers him truthfully. “Uh, today, after school,” she murmurs.

  I cross my arms over my chest and ignore both of them the rest of the way. Carter sighs as he parks the car and leans over me to undo my seatbelt, but I slap his hand away.

  “I’m not a fucking child, Carter. I can do it myself,” I snap.

  I storm out of the car and then walk back petulantly a minute later. Carter holds up my bag with an infuriating smile on
his face and I snatch it from him. I glare at him and then turn, storming off all over again.

  Kate runs after me and I ignore her. “Come on, Milly, don’t be mad. I’m sorry.”

  I stop and turn around to face her. “How could you do that to me, Kate? You’re supposed to be my friend. My best friend. You know he’s going to ruin my date now, you know he will.”

  Kate sighs and pushes my hair behind my ear. “I wasn’t thinking... I just figured he’d find out one way or another. I just thought it’d be good for him to know that you’re into Tony,” she says.

  I look at her, confused. “What?” I murmur. I’m not even that into Tony, and she knows it. I only said yes because I’ve never been asked out before and I thought it might be fun to catch up with Tony. I guess part of me did want to see how Carter would respond though. Kate shakes her head and smiles, but her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

  “It’s nothing, Milly. I’m sorry. Come on, we’re going to be late for class.”

  I nod and she takes my hand as we rush to our classroom. I sit down in my usual seat feeling totally out of it. I’m not even sure why I’m feeling so disgruntled.

  Mr. Fields goes down his attendance list and eventually asks for our homework. I jump and grab my bag to find it. I spent all night finishing it because I totally forgot about it. If not for Kate, I would’ve definitely come in empty handed today.

  I frown when I can’t find it. I know I put it in my bag, I’m a hundred percent sure. I even double checked this morning.

  My mind automatically replays this morning’s events and I grit my teeth just as my phone buzzes. I take it out of my bag and check the text message.