~ Blaire ~

"Why are you following me?"

Somehow Luca had managed to not fly off of his skateboard at the speed he was going. I had to admit that I was impressed by how he was able to slow down just as he pulled up right next to me. It must have taken absolute control on his part.

"You know," he said as if he hadn't heard my question, "I don't believe in letting people have power over you."

So he wanted to waste his time following me home? Fine. He scooted along on his skateboard to keep up with my brisk pace.

"Luca, I don't even know what you're talking about."

He dug his hands in the pockets of his oversized jacket. "I'm talking about that girl from lunch. The one who calls you Blush."

I narrowed my eyes. "You mean Kat?"

"Yeah. Look, I promised that I wouldn't call you that anymore, and I keep my promises, but . . ."

I looked ahead at the stretch of sidewalk. "But what?"

Luca said, "Have you ever thought of, you know, just embracing that name? I have a strong feeling that it would zap the power away from Kat."

A laugh darker than I intended fell out of me. "As wise as you sound right now, there's more to the story. So you can take your little sermon somewhere else."

Luca was silent for a moment before saying, "If I asked the rest of the story, would you even tell me?"

Yeah, that won't be happening.

I halted in front of him and didn't flinch when he almost rolled over my toes.

"Look, if we're ever going to get through this week, you need to understand a few things. Number one: Kat Kalloway is not my friend. Got it? She likes to play mind games with just about anyone who's dumb enough to fall for them. So I do my best to stay out of her way and I suggest you do the same. Number two: quit giving me empty compliments. It's really annoying."

Luca popped his skateboard into the crook of his arm. "Empty compliments?"

I rolled my eyes. "Like when you said I was the most talented artist you've ever met. 'You're glowing' and all that."

Luca blinked a couple of times and lifted his chin. "What gave you the impression that I didn't mean any of that?"

He put me on the spot and I really didn't know what to say. Then Luca stepped so close to me that I had to take a step back in order to look up at him.

"So there's some things you should know about me, Blaire. I'm not Kat Kalloway. I don't play mind games. I don't give 'empty compliments'. If I say something, then I fucking mean it."

His direct eye contact and the serious turn in his voice made my chest flutter.

He held up my painting. "I really like your pancakes."

I wasn't sure how, but he managed to make that sound so suggestive.

"Your art has a way of making me feel both satisfied and hungry at the same time."

God, why is he so weird?

"You really have a gift."

I sighed and backed off some more. "Okay, Luca. I get it."

He was still standing there, holding up the damn pancakes.

"Thank you," I said finally.

His eyes brightened as he lowered the painting. "You're welcome, Blaire."

I waved to the house down the street. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay? I'm home."

Luca glanced in that direction. I didn't like the way he was grinning.

"Me too."

I did a double take the lot next to my driveway. The "For Sale" sign in the yard had a brand new sticker over it that read, "Sold."

I couldn't even process my reaction. All I could do was watch him saunter towards the pale green house that sat directly next to mine.

+++

Hey Blush Babies!

How did you like the chapter? Do you think Luca is right about Blaire needing to embrace her nickname? Or do you think he should mind his own business? Let me know your thoughts.

Remember to stay true to yourself,

Coco