Page 18 of #Lovestrong
Declan
Ipull into my freshly-paved Senior Year parking spot, marked by a bright yellow number 8. They repave this lot every summer because during the second week of school, each senior gets to spend an entire day painting their parking spot however they want. It's a pretty cool tradition, and they take pictures and put them in the year book.
I cut the engine and go to open my door until Lena grabs my forearm and squeezes so hard it actually hurts. I look over and she's staring at the school, her body shaking, eyes wide as dinner plates.
"I can't do it," she says softly, digging her nails into my skin.
I place my free hand over hers and gently pry her fingers off my arm. Her breaths start coming in heaves like she’s panicking, so I twist and grab both her hands in one of mine and cup the side of her face, coaxing her to look at me. Her eyes are filled with unshed tears and my chest tightens.
"Deep breaths, baby. Listen to my voice." She stares directly into my eyes, and her fear is palpable, taking up all the space in the car between us. "You can do this. I won't leave your side, okay?"
Pulling her hands free, she unbuckles her seat belt and practically leaps into my arms, wrapping herself into me like someone drowning does when you throw them a life preserver. My arms go around her like they belong there and I'm perfectly okay skipping the first day of school and sitting like this until I have to take her home.
Lena in my arms feels natural. Perfect. Like she was always meant to be here. With other girls, cuddling and public displays of affection were always uncomfortable for me. It’s always forced. With her, it's as easy as breathing. To her, I'm not the Senator's son or the town football star. I'm just Declan. She's the only person I've ever met who doesn't give me a title— she just uses my name.
Something loud hits my driver's side window in rapid succession. Lena doesn't move, only adjusts herself to turn her face away from my window, snuggling more into my chest. I keep one arm around her and hit the button to roll down the window with the other.
"D, my man! Getting fresh on the first day! Who's the babe?"
Instinctively, I tighten my arm around Lena. "‘Sup, Jackson? Back up some so we can get out, man. You're like hugging my door."
He holds both his hands up, laughing, and takes a step back as I roll the window up. Lena sits up between me and the steering wheel, her hair hiding her from Jackson and the few others trying to peer into my car. I cup both sides of her face softly.
"Ignore their comments, okay? I'll stay by you, all day. You can do this."
She nods her head and before I can move, she leans in and kisses my cheek. "Thank you."
As she moves back to her seat and fixes her ponytail, I'm rooted in place. She just kissed me. And now I really don't want to go into school. It takes me a minute to recover, but when I finally look over at her, she has a shy smile on her face and the tears and cloudiness are gone from her eyes.
"Your friends are gonna be jerks, aren't they?" She isn't angry. Her voice is knowing and almost playful.
"Knowing them, by the end of today you and I will be dating, sleeping together under the bleachers, and all other manners of kinky shit." I roll my eyes, and to my surprise, she laughs as she reaches for her door handle.
"There are worse rumors they could spread."
My mouth drops open as she pulls the handle and flings the door open. As I open my door, a wave of whistles and "oh damn" comments sound from my group of friends.
I get out of the car and stand up straight, pinning them with a stare that would make bigger men cower. "Hey, stupids, knock it off."
They all go silent, trying not to smile as Lena walks around the front of my car and stands next to me. I open the trunk and grab my bag, and then walk back to her, holding my hand out. She laces her fingers with mine and I smile down at her.
"Ready, baby?"
She nods her head and smiles back at me.
God damn, I want this girl.