Chapter Four #2
I smile back shyly wondering who could have texted him and wishing that I was the one that could make him smile like that.
I frown slightly at the strange feeling swirling in the pit of my stomach before coming to the startling realisation that it’s jealousy that I’m feeling, for the second time in two days.
I quickly dispel my thoughts and try my hardest to focus back on the lesson.
Soon the bell rings signalling the end of class and waking me up from my daydreams about the guys. I slowly gather up my things feeling stiff from sitting so still for the entire lesson. Levi gets up with me and follows me to the door and down the hallway. I glance at him curiously.
“Is it ok if I walk you to your next class Sage?” he chuckles.
“Erm, yes, sure.” I answer, my voice slightly suspicious.
We make our way towards my final class before lunch. I turn to say goodbye when Levi leans in and kisses my cheek, the opposite one to the one that Jax kissed. Electric tingles shoot through me, warming and exciting me before, just like with Jax, they gather at my sternum.
I stare at him wide eyed in shock.
He gently brings his hand up to my face slowly stroking his fingertips across my unbruised cheek.
"So beautiful, Sage.” He murmurs quietly before spinning on his heel and walking back the way we came.
He thinks I'm beautiful.
This amazingly gorgeous and clever man thinks I'm beautiful. I feel a smile pulling at my lips.
"Hey Beautiful Girl, what's got you smiling?” He grins, his eyes twinkling before continuing quietly, “We’ve gotta get you smiling more, it's breath-taking."
My eyes snap up, coming face to face with a grinning Kai. My smile widens, butterflies dancing in my stomach as his words register and a blush decorates my cheeks. I’m going to be permanently red at this rate.
He really thinks that?
"Of course, I do, Beautiful Girl. I don't call you that just for shits and giggles. I use it because it fits you. You are incredibly beautiful.” He stares into my eyes, letting me see the truth in his bright green eyes.
"Did I say that out loud?" I question my eyes widening.
"Yes beautiful, you did.” He replies, chuckling.
He turns to lead us into the classroom, but I reach out and take a hold of his arm turning him back to face me.
Before I can lose my courage, I go up onto my tip toes, keeping my arm tucked in tight to avoid jostling my ribs.
He automatically crouches down a bit, thinking I'm going to say something to him that I don't want other people over hearing.
As soon as he's close enough I peck him lightly on the cheek, lingering when the same electricity that sparked with the others, sizzles through me.
He inhales sharply and turns slightly so his cheek brushes against mine. His strong-arm wraps around my waist bringing me tightly against him.
"What was that for, Beautiful Girl?" His voice is deep and husky, his breath whispering against my ear sending shivers through me.
His arm tightens around my waist slightly, fortunately not causing any pain to my ribs and bringing his fingers to rest on a small sliver of skin that has been exposed by tank top riding up.
"I just wanted to say thank you." I murmur breathlessly.
Slightly embarrassed that my voice is betraying how much he’s affecting me my eyes close. He turns a small fraction more and places a light kiss on my cheek lingering just like I did. The electricity seems stronger this time and we both inhale sharply.
We are lost in our own world; I never want to leave.
"If you two are done, I suggest you get in my classroom or I will be forced to give you both detention."
We both jump apart forcefully at the interruption. My ribs painfully protest the abrupt movement and I duck my head feigning embarrassment, which isn’t hard, and hide my grimace of pain.
"Sorry Mr. Bell." Kai says confidently before taking my hand lightly and leading me into the room. He leads me towards the back, and I take my seat glancing around to try and distract me from the pain. My eyes collide with Hunter and Maverick.
They definitely weren't here yesterday; something is going on.
I send them both smiles and receive a warm smile from Maverick and a tiny smile from Hunter in return.
I focus on the teacher not wanting to get into trouble again. Before I know it, it's lunch time and I'm walking the halls to the cafeteria with Kai, Hunter and Maverick.
Several of the girls who are in the same group as the bitch who tried to threaten me yesterday are staring daggers at me, but I just can't bring myself to care.
They don't scare me, I've dealt with worse.
Actually scratch that, I'm still dealing with a lot worse than anything they could possibly do to me.
My thoughts are circling around the fact that I’d told myself I wasn't going to get close to them yet because of my ribs.
The guys though have completely blown that out of the water.
Not letting me distance myself from them and for that I'm glad.
I will just have to be a bit more careful; my ribs will heal fairly soon and then I won't have to worry.
Sitting down at the same table that we sat at yesterday, I say hello to the other guys. As if it were choreographed, they each take an item from their lunches and place it in front me. Leaving me with half a sandwich, some chips, a banana, a fruit yoghurt and a small chocolate bar.
"Is this for me?" I ask the obvious. Wanting to make sure as no one has ever done something like this for me before.
"Of course, it is." Levi says with his signature lazy grin, making my heart pound.
"We didn't want you to go hungry again today." Kai starts.
"So, we packed extras for you just in case you didn't bring anything." Maverick continues, making me smile at the ease that he continued what Kai was saying.
Is it a triplet thing or a family thing?
"Thank you so much guys." I gratefully reply and embarrassingly enough my eyes start to tear up and I chuckle awkwardly.
They stare at me for a moment before Kai swings his arm over my shoulders making me jump at the unexpectedness of it. I hate myself for the reaction. I know in my soul none of these men would harm me.
Kai ignores it, thankfully but as I glance around, I catch them all sharing another a look, seeming to have a conversation with just their eyes again just like yesterday. I try to catch onto the meaning but have no luck.
"Well damn, Little Star if that's your reaction to us simply sharing our lunch I can't wait to see your reaction when we take you out for a meal." Jax says enthusiastically.
The water that I’ve just swallowed goes down the wrong pipe, causing me to splutter unattractively. Hunter leans over from my other side and gently rubs circles on my back. I smile appreciatively at him as soon as the spluttering stops.
"Are you ok, Sage?" He asks concerned.
"Fine, thank you Hunter." I take a deep breath, "What Jax said just shocked me that's all. Please don't spend money on me."
They look at me confused, so I breathe in some courage and add quietly, "I can't afford to pay you back."
Understanding crosses all of their features.
"Sweetheart, if we’ve invited you out for a meal, we wouldn't expect you to pay.” Hunter tells me looking sincere.
I glance around at the others and see that they’re all staring at Hunter in what appears to be shock although I can't work out why. As soon as they notice me looking at them, they all snap out of their shock and nod at me grinning.
"Well if you're sure," I hedge and they all nod again, I take a deep breath of courage, "then I'd really like that."
They all grin at me, even Hunter has a slightly larger smile than normal. We continue eating and the guys go into separate conversations with each other. I soak it all in not really paying attention until I overhear Levi and Jax talking.
"Fucking hell, did you hear what he said?" Jax questions Levi.
"Yeah. I never thought I'd see the day when Hunter would give a girl a pet name." Levi chuckles.
"Maybe pigs do fly." Jax replies chuckling.
"I'm not surprised in the slightest that it was Sage who got him to though. She's special." Levi says thoughtfully and my cheeks heat.
"I know what you mean, man. I feel it too." Jax replies.
My heart is going a thousand miles a minute at what I've overheard and a warmth spreads through me causing me to grin. Deciding I need to do something so they don't realise I heard them, I start to gather the trash from the table and make my way over to the trash can.