Periwinkle

Bodhi had picked up the guys and headed over to Holden's. They hadn't been together for over four months. He was staring out the windshield, lost in thought."Dude. Are you okay? You've been smiling like a jackass this entire drive over."He looked in the rearview mirror at Jake, then back at himself. I wasn't smiling like a jackass. Was I? Truth is, he knew that he was. I'm going to see my Periwinkle after four months. Well, she isn't my Periwinkle, but I wouldn't mind if she were. Persephone is the most beautiful, intelligent, charming, beautiful... did I already say that? God, if only she would give me the time of day. I mean, at one point, I did have the go-ahead from Holden, for Christ's sake. The only thing in my way is... well, her. Fuck. I am so tired of all the useless sex. Just once, I want to make love to someone. "You look deep in thought. Are you thinking about Katie?""What? Huh?" Bodhi said."Not Katie? Then who? Tiffany? Please tell me you hooked up with Tiff!""I'm not thinking about anyone.""You lie," Lewis said, poking him in the leg."Fine. Yes. Katie." "DOG!""YOU HOUND!" Jake said fist, bumping Lewis."Why are you fist-bumping him?""You're driving. Keep 'em on 10 and 2, Bodhi.""Actually, Jake, it's 9 and 3 now.""Dude, you used to be so cool. Now you're so... responsible. This whole adult thing you've got going on doesn't look good on you," Lewis said.God, can these two just shut up so I can get back to thinking about Perri?"So, I like the new truck. Did Holden buy it for you?" Jake said with a laugh."I do have a job." Oh, who am I kidding? Holden gave me the down payment. God, this is so embarrassing. "Why did you get a white one? Is that the only color on the lot?" Lewis asked."I like the color white. Is there something wrong with that?""Is it a virgin thing? I bet it's a virgin thing. You do like your virgins.""No, Lewis. It's not a virgin thing. It's a color thing.""White isn't even a color. Like Vanilla isn't an actual flavor.""Jake, you are a bigger idiot than Lewis! White is a combination of all the colors in the color spectrum. It's only the absence of color regarding paint. AND Vanilla is the second most expensive of the spices, so it's actually the Bently of all the flavors.""How do you know this shit?" Jake had a look of confusion on his face."Periwinkle told me. She is really smart. Maybe you should read a book. You might learn something.""Why would I do that if I can just google it?"Lewis turned and faced him. "And who the hell is Periwinkle?"He felt his face get hot. The only people who knew he called Persephone Periwinkle were Holden and, of course, Perri. "There's that jackass smile again!" "Shut up, Lewis."He pulled into Holden's driveway. There were about fifteen other cars there. He saw Perri's, and he felt his chest go tight. "Ah. Dude. You getting out of the car?" Jake said."What? Oh. Yeah. Sure." "You think Annie is wearing that green suit? You know the one that rides up her ass?" Jake asked.He was almost drooling. Annie was a pretty girl. She had long blonde hair and a really lovely body. She was dumb as a sock. However, Jake was right. The green suit that rode up her ass was pretty fucking sexy. But Persephone is the twin Bodhi preferred. She didn't obsess about vapid things like her body or what other people thought of her. In fact, that's what made her so beautiful to him. That and when she would give him little tidbits of information. He won more than one trivia night at his favorite bar off-campus."Andromeda Athena James!" They heard Holden bellow from the backyard."I don't know what Annie did, but Holden is pissed!" Jake said, approaching the fence."Only one way to find out!" Lewis said.They made their way into the backyard. Holden was yelling at Annie. She looked equally pissed."Holden Pollux James Jr.!""You know he hates it when you call him that Bodhizafa.""Thank you, JACOB.""You know I hate when you call me that.""Sorry. Jacob Carl Edward Thorsell Jr. the THIRD." Bodhi grinned. What he hated more than his proper first name was his full name. Lewis just kept his mouth shut. The last thing he wanted was for one of us to say his full name. Holden thought Lewis had a really cool name, but Lewis didn't think the same.After getting the lowdown on how Andromeda was a total bitch to Perri, they went inside for a beer. Bodhi was really hoping to see her in the kitchen. But alas, she wasn't anywhere to be found. "Got to hit the head. My back teeth are singing Anchor's away."They shouted a brief conversation back and forth as he made his way down the hallway to the bathroom. Holden was right. He heard the shower running. Apparently, she was still using the bathroom. He looked down the hall to their parent's bedroom. He decided to knock so that Perri knew he was there. He didn't want her to hide in her room, then he wouldn't be able to see her. Just as he raised his hand to knock on the door, he heard a loud moan coming from inside the bathroom. Bodhi pressed his ear to the crack of the door.Was she in there with someone? No. There is no way Holden would let her do that. He continued to listen and heard her moan again. Holy shit! He started to grow hard, pushing against the fabric of his shorts. He pulled at them, trying to adjust himself. Then he heard it."Oh my God. Yes, Bodhi. Yes." He covered his mouth and thought his eyes were about to bulge out of his head. Whatever she was doing, and let's be honest, he knew exactly what she was doing, she was thinking of him. God, why wouldn't she show me the slightest hint of interest when I talk to her? He knocked softly on the door. "Periwinkle? Hey. I was just wondering how much longer you would be in there?"The water was immediately turned off. Ugh. Why did I interrupt her? Fucking idiot! She may have said your name again. I really like the way my name falls from her lips. It was so fucking sexy. He pulled at his shorts again. He was trying to adjust himself but he had grown so large it was no use. He thought she sounded annoyed when she told him to go use the bathroom in her parent's room. He made his way to Mr. and Mrs. James' bedroom. Now he needed to do a lot more than take a piss. If he was lucky, he would be able to pee the rock-solid erection away. Mr. and Mrs. James' bedroom was enormous. It matched the rest of the house. He had never been in their room before. He had never been in Perri's room either. Bodhi always wondered what it looked like in there. He envisioned walls lined with bookshelves full of old textbooks, a king-size four-post bed with a white comforter, and a bunch of pillows. Maybe a stuffed animal or two. He bet the mattress was super soft. He wouldn't mind finding out firsthand. He knew what Annie's room looked like. Not from being in there for any particular purpose. It just seemed like her door was always open whenever he was there. She would be painting her nails or dancing around in her shorts and tank tops. He thought the girl tried too hard. She couldn't seem to accept the fact that he was never going to be interested in her. Much to his dismay, the piss didn't help the solid bulge in his khakis. There was no way he was going to jack off in Mr. and Mrs. James' bathroom. I could jump in their shower and turn the temperature to ice cubes. Splashing some cold water on his face, he did his best to control his hormones.Continuously readjusting his raging hard-on, he made his way out of the bedroom, not paying much attention as he stepped into the hallway. He couldn't react in time to keep Perri from slamming into him. It was like taking a headbutt to the chest. She was in nothing but a towel. The thought that she was completely naked under the fluffy white cotton did nothing to help decrease his hard-on. He needed to readjust himself but couldn't draw attention to it. She had been coming fast down the hall with her head down, looking at her feet. When he saw her, he thought it was Annie for a moment. Perri was always beautiful, but now she looked stunning. She looked healthy. Her skin was glowing. Beads of water were sliding down her body. He wanted to touch a piece of long, fiery red hair that was in front of her face. He liked the color choice. Without even thinking, the words just popped out of his mouth. "Holy Shit! Periwinkle? Is that you?" Real smooth Bodhi. Looking at her, his eyes were drawn to her mouth. My name crossed those lips in a moment of passion. What I wouldn't give to look into her face as she said my name. He noticed her face turning a shade of pink, which would be best described as blush and bashful. He wanted to kiss her so badly. What if I did? What if I just came out and said, Perri, I am going to kiss you are you okay with that? We had come close a couple of times. At least, I think we did.She was going on apologizing profusely for the little accident.He complimented her on her new look, but she seemed reluctant to take the compliment. She had never taken a compliment, not once, since the day they had met. ************************************************************They met when she was a kid. Then again, he was a kid too. A kid with an insane crush. When he met Perri, she was eleven, and he had just turned thirteen. He was the youngest in his class, and Holden was the first person he met when he moved to Kennedy. He had invited him over the summer before they started eighth grade at Kennedy Jr. High. She was going into sixth grade, and he got it; it's kind of creepy liking someone so young. I mean, come on. He was a teenager, and she was barely into her double-digits. He came over to go swimming. It was different having a friend whose parents were so well off. His family had lived on peanut butter and food stamps. The James family took him in. Holden's parents used to be home all of the time. He had some of the best days of his life inside that house. As he got older, his parents were at home less and working more. Holden took on a parental role to the twins. Bodhi became the big brother. Though the way Annie always hit on him, the last thing she thought of him as was a brother. But the way she felt about him, he felt that for his Periwinkle. Bodhi:⚡I stepped foot in the backyard with my Tennessee Vols towel and matching bathing suit with my knobby knees and skinny frame. I was already 5'9, and my doctor told my parents I would be 6'3 by the time I turned sixteen. My bones ached constantly, and I could eat like I had a tapeworm, at least when there was food in the house. I came over for a Bar-B-Que and a swim. I knew he had sisters, but I was hooked when I saw Perri's pretty face for the first time. Yes, she was a twin, but I could definitely tell them apart. Perri's smile was different than Annie's. She moved differently. While Annie strutted and peacocking, Perri glided and tried to make herself invisible. "Hey! Bodhi!" Holden ran over to me. He was dripping wet, and his skin was wrinkled from being in the water for so long already.They shared their secret handshake. "Hey Holden. Umm. My mom told me to say thank you for having me. But I was going to say it anyway. So, thanks for having me.""Sure, buddy. I want you to meet some of my bros.""I thought you had sisters." Bodhi looked confused."No. My bros. Like my friends." He smiled. "LEWIS! JAKE! COME MEET THE FOURTH MUSKETEER!""I thought there were only three musketeers.""Actually, the original three musketeers are Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. However, in Dumas' novel, the central character is D'Artagnan, who met the three and became the fourth Musketeer. So I guess that would make you D'Artagnan."I turned around and saw a young girl with two French braids. She was looking down, swiveling her body side to side, and grasping her hands behind her back."I never knew that. You're pretty smart." "Thanks. I'm Persephone. People call me Perri." "Perri? Like Periwinkle?" I asked.She smiled. "No. Periwinkle is a pretty purple flower. I'm just Perri. Plain old, nothing special, Perri."I looked into her eyes. "Well, I think you are very pretty."Her cheeks burned. "You must be confusing me with my sister."With that, Annie came over with Lewis and Jake. She had been a flirt since she discovered how to. She bumped her sister to the side. Perri stumbled sideways, backed off, and went into the house. Bodhi watched her walk away. He wanted to talk to her more. He found her very interesting."Hi. I'm Andromeda. You can call me Annie. This is Jake, he's a dork, and this is Lewis, he's a dork too.""Annie, why don't you go braid your hair or something?" Holden said.She stuck her tongue out, turned, and walked off in a huff."I need to go to the bathroom." I looked towards the house."Oh. Sure. Go in that door. It's the third door down the hall to the left."I went into the house through the patio door. I couldn't believe how nice the house was. The kitchen was so large it was almost the size of my whole house. At least, that's what it looked like to a thirteen-year-old kid. I wandered around like a normal kid in a new place would. While I was looking at some pictures hung in the hallway, I heard the sound of someone crying softly. When I entered the living room, I found Perri curled up on the corner of an uncomfortable-looking couch."Hey, Periwinkle. Are you okay?"She looked up and smiled. She liked that he had given her a nickname. She liked him. She had never liked a boy before. She wiped her eyes.She looked up at him. "I'm okay.""Are you sure?" I sat down on the couch next to her. With my towel, I wiped a tear off her chin.She smiled and nodded. "Bodhi?""What?""You're very tall. Like as tall as my dad. How old are you?"I smiled and let out a little laugh. "I just turned thirteen. My birthday was last week. My dad is really tall. My mom used the word genetics when I asked her why I was taller than everyone in my class. I think I look weird.""Hold on a second." She got up and ran off."Is it something I said?" I was left alone in the huge living room.After a minute, she came running back in with her braids bouncing. "Here. Happy Birthday."She held out a beat-up paperback book. He took it from her. It was a copy of The Three Musketeers. "Wow, thanks. I don't know what to say." I ran my hand over the book. I opened the cover and found it full of hearts and stars. The name Persephone Hera James in bubble letters. "It's okay. It's just an old book. Nothing special. I just thought you would like to have it.""No. It's really special." Bodhi turned the book over in his hands. "I didn't get any presents at all this year." My voice started to quiver, and my eyes felt hot. I sniffed hard and ran the back of my hand across my nose. Gross, I know, but hey, I was a kid.She started playing with her braid. "I'm sorry, Bodhi. I always have to share a cake with my sister. I thought that was bad. I can't imagine not getting any presents." She put her hand on top of his. "I hope you like it. If you read it and want to discuss it, I would like that."I looked at her. Her green eyes and strawberry blonde hair were so pretty. "As long as I don't have to do a book report." I smiled. She liked his smile, unknowingly batting her eyelashes. "Can you show me where the bathroom is?""Sure. Follow me." She went skipping out of the room and down the hallway. "Here ya go. Make sure you wash your hands.""Of course."She motioned for him to bend down. He was over a foot taller than she was. "Happy belated birthday, Bodhizafa." She kissed him on the cheek.I blushed hard. "How do you know my real name?""I know a lot of things." She smiled, and I watched her skip off and disappear into what I guessed was her room.That was the day a little girl I called Periwinkle stole my heart.*************************He saw Andromeda coming up behind Perri. Upon seeing her, he immediately lost his boner. As Annie tried to shame her by talking about the size of her bathing suits compared to the size of Perri's body, he found himself wanting to let Perri know that he always had her back. He really wanted to see her in one of Annie's bathing suits. Putting his lips to her ear, he told her exactly what he thought. She smelled so good. Her hair smelled like candy. He could feel the heat radiating off of her body. His lips gently touched her. "I wouldn't mind seeing you in one of those small suits. If she has a white one, wear it. I love the color white on a beautiful woman." And just like that, the boner was back. Fuck.📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝📝A/N: Isn't he just the sweetest? Can you feel the chemistry between them? Have you experienced young love before? Please vote and comment. What should be next for these two star-crossed friends?🎧WAITITNG FOR THE STARS: BOY MEETS GIRL🎧