by Bella Street
“Shut up, Trent,” the blonde said, dropping her ladle into a pan of gravy, her face red with mortification.
“Who's the new girl?” the brunette standing next to her said. “I can't imagine what she sees in you.”
The bitter words gave Sera pause.
“Ignore them,” he said. “They're just mad about getting caught skipping school. The principal's making them help in the cafeteria for a month.”
“Oh,” she said, bewildered as they arrived in the mostly empty hallway. If everyone was warning her off him, maybe she be avoiding him instead of following him around.
He gazed down at her as they stopped in the hall. “You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen, Sera. You look like an angel.”
Empty flattery. She felt a stab of disappointment.. “Um, thanks.”
“And in case you're wondering, the answer is yes.”
Amusement gleamed in his eyes, but she wasn't sure what she'd missed. “To what?”
He released a resigned sigh. “Yes, you can be my girlfriend.”
Sera pressed her lips together to avoid a snicker of her own. “Uh, that's okay. I mean, it's my first day and all.”
He stroked his chin, nodding. “Okay, I get it. You're not ready for commitment. You want to keep it casual, keep your options open.” He seemed to come to a decision. “Well then, we'll just have to draw the line at kissing.”
Her smile faded. She'd never kissed a boy, and there was still some residual terror in the notion. “I was warned about people like you.”
His brow arched. “What kind of people?”
“About boys who talk like that,” she said, touching her J pull for comfort. “Who flatter girls because they're only after One Thing.”
He laughed. “Are you serious?”
She sent him a steady look to let him know she was serious. It was a shame, because he was awfully cute.
“So you've already been warned off me, eh?” He scrutinized her, a smile tugging one corner of his mouth. “Let me guess, your parents are very protective. I mean, you have this whole sheltered vibe going on.”
Sera wondered how she was so easy to read. “I guess so. I'm an only child.”
“So they're protective with a side of paranoia.”
She lifted her chin a notch. “My dad has had some health problems. My parents like to keep me close.” She bit her lip, wondering how much to admit. “This is my first time in public school.”
Trent's expression softened. “Is your dad going to be okay?”
She relaxed slightly. “I think so. My aunt is a doctor and she came up with an experimental treatment that seems to have helped. We don't know if he's cured, but he's been in remission a long time.”
“That's good.” Trent cocked his head. “So the fam tells you to avoid sweet-talking guys?”
She nodded. “But I have back-up my uncle taught me if that fails.”
“Back-up?”
“You know, self-defense, firearms, and such.” She smiled wryly. “I usually have my Glock on me, but he thought it might be against school rules or something.”
Trent blinked. “Whoa. Uh, are you packing anything else?”
“Oh, my shiv, of course.”
“Of course,” he said faintly.
Sera had to admit, she enjoyed his discomfiture. “But don't worry. It's weapons grade plastic so it won't set off any metal detectors.”
Trent swallowed. “I can see you're stronger than you look, Sera.” He suddenly grinned. “I promise to be on my best behavior around you.”
Her pulse jumped at his smile. Goodness, he was attractive. And he didn't seem repelled by her admission. Her mom told her boys wouldn't understand about her special skills.
That thought reminded her she was never supposed to mention those skills in the first place. Oops.
Well, he'd been warned.
Feeling very daring, she decided to call his earlier bluff. Surely it would come to nothing, if Amy could be believed. And it might give her an opportunity to get to know him better. “Um, I'd be open to reconsidering an arrangement with you, Trent.”
He looked surprised at first, then he quirked his mouth. “Let me guess, you have something charitable in mind, something for my betterment.” He leaned close. “I can tell you're a very kind person.”
She caught her breath at his proximity. “It does have to do with schoolwork.”
He rolled his eyes. “Aha, they were talking about me. Let's see, you're going to offer...say, a kiss for every test I pass.”
She took a deep breath, her heart pounding hard. “Only for teacher-verified A's.”
His eyes sparkled even as he groaned. “That's a hard bargain, Sera.” He reached up and twisted a lock of her hair around his finger. “I know you think you're off the hook. But I'm thinking I just might pass tenth grade after all.”
Her face burned hot. What had she gotten herself into? Lisa had said he'd been a decent student in the past.
She glanced at his mouth. A first kiss had to happen sometime, right? Even better if it was for altruistic purposes.
Maybe he'd only be able to manage B's.
Trent took her hand in his warm one and regarded her with a caressing gaze.
Her heart triple-timed at the contact. Whoa. Flattery was one thing. This boy's touch was another.
“I'm glad we met, Sera. And I hope you're prepared for a serious scholastic turnaround.” He tipped his face close, his breath fanning her cheek. “Because you and me? I think it's gonna be epic.”
THE END
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Other titles by Bella Street:
Tennessee Waltz Series
Kiss Me, I'm Irish: Book One
Kiss Me, I'm Yours: Book Two
Kiss Me, I'm Home: Book Three
Retro Romance Presents: Time Travel By Design Series
Mid-Century Mayhem: Book One
Thanks for reading!