Davin I

"Sorry. You knew that was a one-night thing, Lori." I stated, glancing at her. "We used each other. That was all it was."

It was the first day of our junior year. I am not looking for anything serious. She knew that, yet she still insisted. When she nodded her understanding with a shrug, I doubt it truly mattered that much to her. Another girl for whom I would be eye-candy. I sighed, mentally reminding myself that though the school day only just started, I needed to yell at my mom about my soap again this afternoon. She distracted me on the way to school, but no more!

"Did you see her?" One boy wondered, glancing towards my class. "She was flawless. Think she's Amber's family? We should be nice in case she's rich. I wonder if I could make it with her."

Flawless? Amber's family? Oh. I forgot Amber's friend from that game online was starting school here this year. I needed to see this person for myself. The gossip continued all the way to the door, but as soon as I looked towards Amber's usual spot, my heart leaped into my throat. Waist length wavy brown hair with beautiful deep blue eyes. She sat next to Amber with a cheerful smile on her face until those stunning orbs locked with mine.

Once I found my thoughts again, I walked towards this Angel among men, doing my best to focus on the right words to say to introduce myself. She wore a blue denim knee-length plaid skirt and a pink graphic tee-shirt. Both fit her well, outlining the slim features of her body. The closer I got, the more I found I liked about her, like her oval-shaped face, stunning sapphire eyes, and perfect full lips. Kiss. Never have I wanted to kiss someone as bad as her.

"Um. I'm Davin Robertson." I introduced, taking her small hand in my own. "It's nice to meet you… Lulu… I mean, you're Lucia, right?"

Why did my voice crack there? Was it because of her? She was so adorable I was losing track of myself, and forgetting if I told her my name. Her face flushed bright pink, her gaze averting as she shook my hand, but I could only revel in her touch. Lucia's hand was soft, small, and fragile feeling, yet I loved the determination and strength hiding in her eyes. She was unlike any other girl who went to our school. I was hooked.

"You can call me Lulu… and yes, I'm Lucia Trinity Rose." Lulu stuttered, awkwardly returning the handshake. "Wait, how did you know me?"

"Amber wouldn't shut up about you, but it makes sense. You're adorable." I smirked, leaning closer, which made her turn even redder and start fanning her face. "I wonder what you would do if I kissed you."

But now that I mentioned it aloud, it was all I could think about. Before Amber smacked me in the back of the head, I found myself fully focused on her soft looking lips. I needed to get this under control, I thought, trying but failing to tear my gaze from hers. Yet I still chased after her when the teacher gave her leave to go to the restroom. Why? Because maybe I was already addicted to her presence. I wanted her nearby.

~~~~~

"You said you didn't hate me." I questioned more than stated, my green eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Why do you keep running from me?"

I wanted to know. I had to know. Lulu avoided me almost all day today and I wanted to talk to her. To bask in her presence. She glanced around nervously, but I only waited, hoping to understand her and what she wanted. Lucia had her arms crossed over a textbook she was holding in front of her, teeth worrying that full lower lip that had me groaning internally. Lulu was dangerous.

"Um. I. Um. Could we maybe have this conversation alone?" She ventured, glancing around at all the onlookers. "Not here?"

Oh. Right. I glanced around as well before taking her hand in mine, intent on walking somewhere more private for us to talk. Standing, I glanced down at her, wondering why she still had yet to move. Then my eyes fell on my hand where it held her wrist. I was in awe of how small her wrists were, how small she was compared to me. Lulu glanced up at me a couple times before she sighed, eyes closing in annoyance.

"Ahem. Your hand…" she whispered, smooth voice stroking across my frayed nerves. "If you have a girlfriend, she'll misunderstand."

"You won't run?" I wondered, watching as she shook her head no. "Promise?"

"I promise, now, please?"

The pleading look in her stunning blue orbs had me releasing her automatically, and I shoved my hands in my pockets; worried I would take her hand as she walked next to me if I didn't. I fiddled with my house keys as we walked through the halls towards a private area in the courtyard. No one ever went there during the summer because it was too hot, so it was the perfect place to have a private conversation.

"I'm not good with guys…" she whispered as we sat down on an empty bench. "You're perhaps the first I've ever held a conversation with, and I don't know if I'm doing it right."

"You worry too much. It's cute." I replied and she averted her eyes. "Just be you. Like you are when you're with Amber."

"But you're different. I don't know you." My shoulders drooped at that, and I looked away. "Though I don't mind getting to know you. It's just… I'm a little embarrassed."

Rosy cheeks. Embarrassed. Did she not realize she was flawless? Ethereal? I was in love and there was no turning back. Surely, there had been other boyfriends. She was the daughter of a wealthy family, too. Even if she went to private school, Lulu likely had her pick of potential boyfriends from a better social status than I am. Someone far more suitable for her. I stared at the top of her brown head, lost in thought.

"Why? I mean, you went to a private school, right?" I wondered, making her glance at me. "You had boyfriends, I'm sure. Unless you went to a girl's school, you should have…" Wait; I turned to look at her in shock. "You went to a girl's school."

"Yeah…" she nodded, and I could hardly believe it.

"Holy cow. You mean you've never been around boys your age? What was it like?" I questioned; unable to contain my curiosity. "Oh, but wait. I'm so sorry. I just assumed a girl as stunning and perfect as you are would've had boyfriends in the past, and that is so insulting…" My hand smacked my forehead, annoyed with myself, before I grabbed her hand. "I can be your first boyfriend if you like."

"Um… Boyfriend?" Lulu questioned; those beautiful, innocent blue eyes rising to meet mine shyly. "If that means closer, then I'd love if you were my boyfriend."

~~~~~

I was a pervert. All I could think about was the feel of her fingers sliding between mine. It felt intimate, far more intimate than I ever expected it to. After school that evening, I was staring off into space, supposed to be studying, but all I could think about was my cute little girlfriend with a goofy grin on my face. I stretched back in my desk chair before spinning around, the desire for a drink and restroom break clawing at me.

I wanted more than a physical relationship with Lulu. That fact dominated my mind as I walked through the house I shared with my mom. Framed pictures lined the stairway down to the kitchen, though I stopped by a family photo, including my dad, and stared at him for several seconds. A full year. It felt like centuries since I last saw him. I shook negative thoughts from my head, my footsteps continuing in my quest for snacks and drinks.

"Someone's out of it." My mom said as soon as I walked into the kitchen. "What's up, Davin?"

"Nothing." I replied, averting my gaze from her. "How's Matthew?"

Mom's boyfriend. It didn't take her long to rebound after dad, and she started dating again. I hated it. It was like dad never happened to her, his memory fading along with his things, and I hated it. Mom sighed before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around me from behind. I could feel her shiver for a second, like she was gathering herself. Then she pulled away and took a seat at the bar.

"Your dad was my soulmate." Her voice was full of years of pain, like she lost more than her husband that day last year. "No one will ever matter to me as much. I will love no one as much as I did him." With that, her tear-stained face turned up to me, making my heart squeeze. "I feel your father would want me to try to be happy without him. To try to move on. And maybe, just maybe, there's another soulmate out there for me. Maybe it isn't Matthew. Maybe he doesn't even live in this city. But if I ever find him, I still would not forget your dad, Davin."

"I know." I replied, sinking next to her on another barstool. "Things just seem to… I don't know."

"Move on pretty fast?" Mom ventured with an understanding nod. "The world keeps on turning, baby. For instance. Why are you so out of it lately? Did you meet someone? Don't tell me 'nothing' again. I know my son and he doesn't walk around with his head in the clouds."

My mom knew me best. I sighed before adjusting the position of the soda in my hand. It would be easy to brush her off, to find something to distract her with, but I felt like she deserved to know what was going on. Especially since I saw a real future with Lulu. Blue eyes flashed in my mind along with a stunningly bright smile, making me smirk. I wanted to marry her someday. Mom poked at my cheek, reminding me she was still there.

"You did! Tell me about them!" Times like this really reminded me of how old my mom was. "Come on! Spill the deets!"

"One, never say that again, mom. Two, her name is Lulu. I mean Lucia Trinity Rose." I replied with a wince at her attempt at being modern. "You're thirty-six, not seventeen."

This comment earned me a smack on the back of my head, though the laughter in her eyes proved I did not make her mad. Mom was young when she met my dad; the kind of love story that made no sense to those around them. Especially since my dad was fifteen years older than her. She poked me again, reminding me of my tendency to get off track, and my fingers adjusted the drink can in my hand again, mind still elsewhere.

"Lulu agreed to be my girlfriend today." Her eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropping. "I've been on cloud nine ever since."

"TELL ME EVERYTHING!!!" I forgot how crazy my mom could be and chuckled at her crazed expression.

"She went to a private girl's school and…"