music recommendation : I like it by Cardi B ft Bad Bunny ft J Balvin.
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'Hello, lamb' Levi tilt his head to the left like an anime character and there's tension in the air.
Suddenly, I can't seem to find my voice. Am I scared? Am I amazed by him? What is this confusing feeling?!
My phone rang and I screen. It's Johnny. Oh no. I forgot about our deal.
'Having trouble taking a call?' Its Levi's deep voice. God. His voice is so sexy. He should be a voice actor.
I whip around to face him slowly. A creepy nervous smile found it's way to my face. 'No.' I pocket my phone in my jacket.
Levi turn to the direction of a loud cheer. Now, my fingers are itching me to take a photo of him. Its not for me. Sophie's been itching to see him. I quickly take out my phone. Holding my breath to capture his god-like image. Shit. He caught me.
'What are you doing?' he asked.
'Nothing.' I look away and hide my phone immediately
'You took a picture of me?' his voice just got deeper. Jesus. Is he trying to arouse someone?
I begin to move back. My legs ready to run. This is a mall. I'll win. Wait. I can't scream. Idiots are already screaming about Lin. I couldn't help but swallow my saliva. Levi said I was going to regret it. I just might.
'No.' I begin to run and he went after me. God no. He's fast. I feel a tight grip on my arm and now, I'm leaning against the wall. We're in the last aisle of the mall.
'Delete the photo.' he says.
I do nothing. I say nothing.
He takes off his hat and mask. His dark bangs are now parted and he looks upset. My heart rate monitor begins to beep. Not now. My phone rings again and Levi yanks it from my jacket pocket.
'No.' I yell.
After swiping right, he puts the phone on speaker.
Johnny, the caller, begins to rant. 'Charlotte ! I'm back from school and I see neither you nor my money. I am not playing games here. Get your money from your boyfriend or I'm telling mom your dirty secret.'
I cup my hand over my mouth. I am so screwed.
Levi looks between me and the phone. I look away.
Johnny continues. 'You're quiet?! If you don't tell that boyfriend of yours. What was his bloody name? Levi? Tell him to spot you some cash or I'll expose you both to his parents. His house is just next door.'
The call gets disconnected. The silence wash over me and I wish I could just disappear.
Levi peers at the phone. He's confused with what he just heard. He turns to me and I look down. What's he gonna do? The next thing I hear is a loud cackle. A mocking one. Oh it made me writhe.
'Boyfriend? Me? What the fuck, English?' he's still laughing. 'Don't tell me you've got a crush on me. Dude, you're very far from my type.'
His laugh now turn to an insult and I can't take it anymore.
'Shut up, asshole.' I yell at him.
He stops laughing. 'What?'
'Yes.' I approach him. 'I'm talking to you, big bad wolf 904. How dare you think you're so high and mighty?'
I scoff. 'You think I have a crush on you? Please, I'd rather live in a dumpster than like someone as rude, selfish and arrogant like you.'
Now, Levi has a dirty grin on his lips. 'You're a bold one.'
I reply angrily. 'Damn straight. I'm English.'
Levi chuckles. 'I'm trying to get angry but I can't help but laugh. You acting tough is silly.'
'What?' I yell.
'You're a creepy kid who told her brother I'm her boyfriend. Oh no. Don't tell me your one of those girls who become obsessed with guys they like and write secret diaries.' he gasps.
I did not believe the next action I did. I slapped him across the face.
'You bastard !' I yell. My eyes are widened. My hands are shaking. My breath is shaky.
A condescending laugh escape his lips as he palms his left cheek and looks at me. I begin to move back till my back hit the wall.
'The last time a girl slapped me I broke her hands.' he flicked hair behind my left ear. 'And that happened yesterday.'
My eyes widened and I almost gasp.
He tries to run his hand through my hair but pocket his hands.
'Your right arm is still healing and you've got a wound in your scalp. Do you want me to hurt you?' he brought his face closer to me and I can feel his breath on my face. Mint.
I clench my left fist. The tears in my eyes threaten to fall. 'Do your worse.'
'Fine. You asked for it.' he said nonchalantly.
I closed my ears. My left hand still fisted. There's a fire alarm next to my left arm. Once Levi tries any bullshit, I'm pulling it and running to safety.
Weirdly, a hand holds my left palm. Now, I throw my eyes open. It's Levi.
'What are you - - -
His lips covers mine and my eyes widen for the umpteenth time today. What the hell? His arm found it's way to my waist and pulled me closer to his body. My eyes close on their own. In the kiss, he slides his tongue into my mouth and they're playing tag with mine. His left hand moved to my butt and give it a light squeeze. I moan and try to wrap my hand around his neck but he pulled away.
'That's the worse I could think of.' he smiles and leans forward. Then he brought his lips behind my ears. 'Just imagine the worst thing I could do to you.'
He gives me a peck on the lips and walks away. Laughing.
My heart begins to hammer against my ribcage. I traced my lips with my fingers. I was kissed? As a punishment? Weirdly, I enjoyed it.
Hurriedly, I rush to where Lin and Jacob had their celebrity-fan hangout. The crowd was thinning. How did that happen? Well, I don't care.
Lin waves at me. 'Charlotte.'
I wave back awkwardly. Outside the glass wall, I see Levi walking towards the car and I remember our kiss. I'm feeling all giddy but I'm really pissed off at the same damn time.
****
On the drive home, Lin joins us and I'm glad. I sit at the back with her not because I wanted her company but because I was avoiding Levi. He looks at the rear view mirror and our eyes meet. I turn away immediately as though someone attempted to squirt juice in my eye.
'The mall manager even made me sign an autograph.' Lin laughs but I'm not listening. I'm still lost in the kiss I shared with Levi earlier. He kissed me this time. With lips.
'Are you listening?' Lin asked.
'Yeah." I turn to her.
I can hear a scoff from Levi. What's his problem?
My phone buzz and I take it out. Its a missed call. My eyes widened. Wait. 14 missed calls from Mum. What?! I look at the time. 8 : 49pm. Shit.
'Please, can you drive faster?' I say to no one but the driver knows himself.
Levi ignores me and begins to drive slowly.
I almost pulled out my hair. 'Jesus Christ. Levi, drive faster.'
'Say please.' Levi is acting childish now. What the bloody hell?
'Dude, a grandma will beat you in a car race. Speed up.' Jacob tells his brother.
I become impatient. 'It's almost 9pm and I'll be 8 inches shorter if I don't get home fast. Mother will kill me and you guys too.'
'Fuck. Why didn't you start with that?' Levi begins to speed up.
I roll my eyes. 'You were too occupied acting like a jerk.'
'Well, excuse me, Queen.' he swerved right and I almost fell out of my seat.
'Slow down, dude.' Lin yells from beside me. This time she didn't have any accent and I wonder if she was faking it all along.
Levi reply. 'Have you met her mother?'
'No.' Lin looked at me.
'Then don't tell me to slow down.' Levi sped ahead.
While in the car, I prayed for three things : First is that I won't die of a heart attack from the Levi's speeding. Second is a cop won't stop our car and third is mum won't be the one to answer the door. Fortunately, only two of those prayers were answered. I survived the drive. Thank God. Even though, we were caught speeding, we got no speeding ticket. Lin was a celebrity who lied she was getting late for an interview and stupidly, the cop believed us. Lastly, mother. She was at the door. The moment our eyes met, I knew I was done for.
'I'm sorry, mother.' I begin. She didn't even look at me or say a word. The frown on her face remain unchanged.
'Mrs Melbourne?' Lin came up behind me.
'Lin?' Mum is surprised.
'Mrs Melbourne!' Lin runs to hug mum.
What is going on?
'You didn't tell me you're a Melbourne, Charlotte.' Lin pouts at me. I'm still confused. What is going on?
While in the living room, I understand what happened outside. Lin was once interviewed by mum in London and apparently, they were rumoured to have mother-daughter bonds. How delightful. Mum didn't want to keep Lin for long for she had a scolding session with me. Lin understood and even turns to leave. Great. Just great, Lin.
'Come see me outside, Char.' Lin smiles.
Mum gives me a stank eye but I still follow Lin outside. Strange, Levi was still waiting. What is he doing?
'Your mum's really nice.' she begins.
I give a fake smile. 'You have no idea.'
Lin rubs her palm together. 'Will you be in school tomorrow?'
I'm sorry. School? Girl, I am taking a break. 'No.'
Her eyes fell on my right arm. The cast is removed. I wonder why mum got so dramatic and made me wear it. By the way, my injury isn't that deep. Just a sharp cut on the face of my arm. A bandage hid it though.
'Oh, that's too bad. And I was getting excited to see you in school.' Lin takes my left hand.
'I'm sorry. What?' I almost yell.
Lin went on. 'Weren't you listening in there? I told your mom I'll be resuming at Alan institute tomorrow. We'll be besties since we'll be in the same class.'
I blink twice then I begin to laugh. She joins me not knowing the reason behind my laugh. I put an end to the sadistic laugh and bit my lower lip. I'm so screwed.
'I'll have both you and my baby in the same school and class.' she smiles and let go off my hand.
'Jacob's in the sciences. My classes and his are different.' I correct her.
'I told you earlier that Jacob's not my boyfriend.' Lin shakes her head.
'If he isn't, then who is?' I asked.
She waves at Levi. 'Him.'
I almost pull at my hair for the second time today. 'What?!'
'Levi's my boyfriend. Why do you think we wore matching hats?' Lin explained.
My world was already crashing but this time it collapsed.
'Levi's your boyfriend.....
I stare in his direction. Levi has a dirty smirk on his face. He really did his worse. He played me.
N/B : I'll try my best to upload more chapters. For now, I'm busy with ny stydies in college.