I huffed one of my curls out of my face as I walked to my second class. All morning I had been looking for Augustus with no luck.

I was kind of glad considering I looked like absolute poop. I had pulled on leggings and an oversized hoodie. Add on my very messy curls framing my face and flamingo socks visible with my slides, I was very grateful.

I sniffled quietly, I forgot to take my allergy medicine this morning and as a result my nose was bright red from tissues.

I grabbed my books from my locker and pushed it shut. I turned and collided with a girl a few inches taller than me and shrieked as we tumbled to the ground.

I quickly started apologizing while sitting up to help her. She was pale and had brown hair, I recognized her as Mandy. I believe she was a sophomore.

"It's fine Esme," she smiled and I was shocked she knew my name.

I pushed myself to all fours and gathered our things while separating which belonged to who.

"I'm the football coaches daughter that's how I know you."

That only furthered my confusion. I'd never spoken to him a day in my life, "huh?"

"He's close with Augustus. He rarely talks but when he does it's about you," she answered as if that explained everything.

I only nodded and gave her a smile as if I understood. "Okay see you," I walked away abruptly and as soon as my back was turned I furrowed my brows.

When I had gotten to lunch I debated going out. I shrugged it off due to laziness and walked to the bleachers outside after grabbing an apple. I heard chanting in front of the bleachers and peaked my head over the high edge.

In a circle were some of the football players doing their rallying of spirits. The season was starting soon. My hair fell down due to gravity as I watched intrigued. Behind them I gasped when I saw Auggie.

Now feeling subconscious I pushed up. I didn't want to seem like a weirdo.

I finished before walking down quietly, not wanting to interrupt their rather loud meeting.

A hand gripped my shoulder and I yelped and jumped away. The hand grabbed me again and pulled me back. I sighed when I saw it was the man of the hour and grinned at him.

"Let me be the first to tell you; you are not very sneaky princess."

I sent him a sheepish look, "what gave me away?"

"The curls peaking over the railing maybe."

"What are you going to do about it?" I teased and my eyes widened as he pulled me closer.

Hands slipped under my hoodie, "I'm sure I could think of a punishment little Esme." My breath hitched before he snapped the band of my leggings.

I glared playfully and pushed him away lightly. "You should go back Auggie."

"You've been lookin' for me all day and now you want me to leave?"

I spluttered, "n-no I haven't. It's just... maybe I wanted to ask about Kace! And when he would like to come over!"

Augustus chuckled while pushing my hair back as he took in my outfit. "I have to go to class," I informed him adamantly.

He kissed my forehead as he pulled away and I momentarily froze. "I'll walk you to class later. And nice socks," he turned away as I scowled in embarrassment.

I huffed and turned on my heel, unaware he looked back to laugh as I walked away.

•••••••••

The rest of the week was spent the same, Augustus now walking me to and from class. On Friday I looked forward to seeing him again, he has became more and more bold in showing his affection.

When I arrived at school it was eerily quiet. I locked my small Jeep before walking into the entrance of the school. I only got so far before I heard the people cheering and I saw them. I picked up the pace, worried because I knew this meant a fight.

I dropped my bag off at my locker before pushing my way through the crowd, my small form bouncing off them as if they didn't even notice. I gasped when I saw Auggie in the circle, a cut at his eyebrow with another senior at his feet.

While no one else dared to bother him in his prime I stupidly jumped to his side.

"Augustus!" I whisper yelled while grabbing his cheeks. As soon as his eyes met mine a million dollar smile came across his face.

I gasped when I was yanked farther into his arms while his stare raked down my form. I shifted uncertainly.

"Holy shit," he cursed under his breath.

"Esme, what the fuck are you wearing?" Auggie asked rather loudly which caused eyes to drift to my skirt which I now noticed stopped  inches below my butt. I unwrapped my arms from him to grab at the sleeves that I pulled to my fingers. Augustus glowered at the people looking at me before engulfing me back into his body.

My back was arched into him and he was towering over my form, I sighed while feeling stuck.

"I don't know, I just... like skirts. Is something..?"

I didn't get my last word out before I was being hauled up by Augustus's strong arms. His forearm acting as a seat under my bottom while the other braced my waist against his. I heard him grunt when I wrapped my legs around his hips involuntary.

I took my head out of his shoulder and came face to face with him. I rolled my eyes at the blood dripping from his brow.

Stupid boy isn't taking care of himself. I looked around for something to wipe it and came up empty. I sighed looking at my black sleeve and figured it'd have to do. I started patting at it, ignoring his flinch of surprise.

Our gaze met once again when I was set gently on the hood of his truck. My legs dangled at his side while I blinked up at him confusedly.

His hands trailed up my legs stopping at my skirt before bending to kiss my forehead.

"That was stupid of you to fight." I sassed at him while crossing my arms over my chest.

"You're too cute."

My jaw dropped at the evasion of the topic.

"I should have you bent over a desk for wearing this baby doll."

I couldn't help the heat traveling from my stomach, straight to my core. I didn't know exactly what that meant but the way he said it made me react. His murky brown eyes that seemed darker than usual made me clench my thighs together.

"D-Do I have to do work at the desk?"

"No baby. I'd take care of you, all you would have to do is be a good girl for me. Sound good for when we get a chance, yea?"

I was practically gasping for air while I nodded. He was driving me crazy.

I hummed while his thumb massaged my upper thigh.

I gripped the front of his white T-shirt while stuffing my face in his chest. I nuzzled into him and wrapped my arms around him.

"God you are something," he commented quietly while stroking my back.

I tilted my head up to let my chin rest on his chest. Our eyes met and I stuck my tongue out at him.

Amusement crosses his face before he pulled me down to my feet. I gasped when I heard the warning bell and grabbed his arm to rush us back inside.

He groaned in annoyance while I yanked on him, I bent down to grab my bag but he beat me.

Suddenly he was the one leading me to my class, "how do you know where I need to go?" My Friday schedule was different from the rest of the week.

"I just do," I opened my mouth to question him but cut myself off when I saw we were at my class.

Augustus's hand gripped my hip, while he glanced off at something behind me he kissed my cheek and said he'd see me right after English ended.

I nodded and blushed at the tingle his lips left. When his eyes set back on me a sly smile appeared before kissing my forehead and watching me go into class.

I had only been in class for fifteen minutes when everyone's stares finally started to annoy me.

I hunched over and picked at my sweater again. I caught some of the whispers.

"What's it about her that's so special?"

"She's so pretty."

"Well look at her she's probably a good lay."

"Ugh she disgusts me, that guy is an animal."

By the end of English, I was almost in tears while packing my things. They didn't know anything, how could they assume those things?

Was Auggie just using me? Why did he suddenly take up an interest? What if was a burden?

When I walked out of the classroom Augustus was waiting, although he hadn't seen me just yet. He was murmuring to a man shorter than him.

I gasped and turned left quickly. I didn't want to bother him or possibly be used.

While I kept my quick pace my thoughts were going just as fast.

Of course, the first person that seemed to listen to me would just want something. People always want something why would this be any different.

I bit my lip and tried to wipe the tears that escaped. When I got my hand halfway up I ran into something hard. I squealed and tried to back away. I looked up to see a disappointed Auggie staring down at me.

Suddenly my book bag was on his shoulder and I was being picked up. For the second time today.

He held me like a toddler, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms hooked around his neck.

I shivered feeling his hands so close to my bottom. I pressed my face against his shoulder to hide my tears from onlookers.

I sniffled and arched into him, "just a minute baby. We'll go in here."

In the next few moments, I was sat on a teacher's empty desk. I tried to get up, feeling disrespectful, but Augustus pinned my thighs down.

I glanced up to see him staring at his own hands that pierced my exposed thighs. His tongue poking out to lick his lips.

I tilted my head in confusion before resting my forehead against his. Brown eyes met hazel while we sat for a few moments. He searched mine while I let him.

"Talk to me, Esme."

I took a breath and placed my hand on his forearm absentmindedly. I tapped against his skin nervously.

"Everyone kept talking- about things they didn't even know about! And I didn't know either. They just kept asking why you were spending time with me. And mean things about you a-and inappropriate stuff."

Auggie took a breath before responding, "I'm spending time with you because I find you irresistible Esme. You're so kind, and such a good person. And you deserve someone who cares about you," my heart fluttered at the compliments.

"You don't have to worry about what those dickhe- jerks, what the jerks, have to say about me. The only opinion that matters to me is yours," I nodded while smiled up at him. "What inappropriate things did they say?"

Suddenly my face was red and I avoided his gaze.

"Just stuff."

"What kinda' stuff baby doll," my chin was being turned back to his stupid eyes that refused to let me lie.

"What they think we did i-in the bedroom. Or in the car according to this one boy. Like what you did to me, or me to you... with my mouth." I couldn't help but glance down to his... area.

I didn't look very long before snapping my gaze back to him. His eyes were dark but showed amusement, "I think what we do in the bedroom is none of their business."

I opened my mouth to correct him since it sounded like he was implying we did those things.

"Sh baby, let's not talk about details right now. You'll have forgotten by tonight anyways."

My brows furrowed, "What's so special about tonight?"

"I figured Kace and I could come over, he wants to see you. My sister hasn't stopped texting me about how he keeps talking about you. I figured we'd order take out."

A smile spread across my lips. I thought for a moment realizing I'd be home alone tonight anyway. Every night actually.

"Of course. That'd be great." I cheered while bouncing in my seat, Augustus grinned down at me before kissing my forehead.