Page 31 of #Lovestrong

Lena

Declan and I are painting his parking spot today. It's a Senior tradition at Lakeview High, and since I don't drive, he's asked me to help him paint his. Sitting in the passenger seat of his car, I feel better than I have in a long time. It's Friday, my grandparents don't need help at the shop this weekend, and I aced my first quiz in my German class yesterday afternoon. This is the most ‘me’ I’ve felt in a long time.

"I think I'm going to try out for soccer," I say, looking over the flier he'd given me after school yesterday. "You're right, I do miss it. And Lord knows I need to get my butt in shape."

"You're shape is not why I suggested it. You're gorgeous. And smart as hell. I’m the envy of every male at this school with a pulse," Declan says, reaching over to lay his hand on my leg.

Sex has never been on my agenda, but with Declan, I want things I shouldn't. Like to know what his bare skin feels like against mine. When he kisses me, it takes all my willpower not to put my hands under his shirt and skim over his abs.

"I know you didn't, but I did," I say with a smirk.

He gently squeezes my leg and glances over at me. "I'm serious, Lena. Inside and out, you're the most beautiful person I've ever met."

My cheeks heat and I'm sure they're a deep red. A smile spreads across Declan's face as he finds a parking spot in the main parking lot where Juniors and Sophomores park. As soon as he cuts the engine, I undo my seatbelt and climb over the center console of the car and into his lap. His eyes go wide and I grin before leaning in to kiss him. Making out is a new thing, but I get why Camilla used to spend all her time sucking face with whoever she was dating— it's exciting and fun.

It dawns on me, in the midst of being lost in the feel of Declan's tongue with mine, that his hand has moved up my thigh and currently sits only inches from the crotch of my pants. I lay my hand over his and gently push it pack down my leg, trying hard not to hurt his feelings. Every inch of me wants Declan in every way, but I know I'm not ready to go there yet.

He pulls away from me softly, and we're both trying to catch our breath. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

I laugh and shake my head. "It's okay."

"I've never wanted anyone the way I want you, Lena. I have no idea what the hell this feeling is."

I kiss him softly and lean my forehead against his. "Me either."

He wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my hair. He smells like summer, that tropical scent you get standing on an island beach or something. I really like it. I don't know if it's his body wash or cologne, but Declan always smells wonderful.

"Come on. Let's get to homeroom before I end up doing something impulsive."

I burst out laughing as I climb off his lap and back into my seat. Outside the car, as we're walking toward the building, Jackson and a pretty red haired girl catch-up with us. Jackson's Senior parking spot is right next to Declan's, and this is the first day I'll be spending any real time around his best friend.

I actually feel bad that it seems like he's spending more time with me and less time with his friends. They were here before me and he shouldn't blow them off just because we're dating.

"Lena, this is Candice, my girlfriend," Jackson says as we're walking.

She smiles and reaches across the guys to shake my hand. "It's nice to see Declan dating someone with something other than air between her ears."

I smile, glad she seems to be friendlier than the other people I've met so far.

"Are you helping D with his parking space today? I was kinda praying I won't be the only girl in the testosterone-fest."

"You're in luck. He begged, like literally on his hands and knees, but I finally caved and agreed to help."

"Damn, dude, you been dating her like ten seconds and she already got you begging like a bitch," Jackson says, playfully punching Declan in the arm as Candice and I laugh.

"I’m not ashamed to say I’d happily beg for her. Unlike you, Jackson, who thinks grunting like a caveman is what your girl wants to hear."

"Oh, he uses his big boy words now, D. We're improving. It's only taken two years, but I figure by the time we graduate college, he'll be using full sentences." Candice rubs Jackson's chest the way a mother does a kid, with a faux expression of pride on her face.

"Yeah. If I get into college," Jackson says seriously, looking down at the ground.

"You'll get in," I say. "Don't stress it."

"Easy for you to say, Ms. 4.8 GPA. Yeah, D told me you're smart as a whip with a full ride. If I don't pass this stupid foreign language class with at least a low A, I can forget it." He kicks the ground as he walks.

"Spanish would've been easier, Jacks. I tried to tell you. Both of us suck at languages. I barely made it past Spanish I last year, and this one decides to take German."

My eyebrows shoot up. "Jackson, I can help you. German I, right? Piece of cake."