chapter six!

milkshakes for two!

THE NEXT DAY, SAMIRA ENTERED the halls of her school as she opened her locker, the younger Crawford standing by her.  "Did you return the hoodie to grumpy yet?" Paige asked teasingly.  "Not yet.  And don't call him that." Samira answered.  "What? It's true, he can be very grumpy."

"He's not that grumpy.  At least, I think." the curly haired girl said as she closed her locker.  The two girls walked together, passing a few of the Walter kids.  Lee noticed his hoodie in her arms, realizing that he hadn't reminded her to give it back.  Cole smirked at this as he decided to tease his younger cousin.  "Are you sure you two aren't a thing? Because you're looking at her."

"We aren't a thing! How many times do I have to tell you that?" Lee stated as he walked away from the blonde.  "Do you think he's here yet?" Paige asked as the two continued to walk together.  "I hope so.  I don't want to keep this for much longer.  He could be cold." she answered.  "Samira." a voice called out as the person jogged up to them.   "Lee, hi.  Um, this is Paige but you probably already knew that.  Here's your hoodie."

Samira handed it to him as their hands touched.  "Thanks."  Paige quickly left the two alone, walking to her first class.  Her and Lee walked in the hallways, awkward silence between them until she spoke.  "Do you know anyone who's good with history? I have a test this week and I'm going to fail."  Lee stared at her, furrowing his eyebrows.  "How are you going to fail?"

"I don't understand the topic we're learning and I just know I won't do good.  I can't be pretty and fail."  She wasn't wrong about that, at least that's what Lee thought.  "I could help you study."

"Really? You can?" she questioned, looking at him.  "Yeah, I can.  Are you free later?"  Samira nodded her head, her curls slightly bouncing a bit.  "You can come over to my house.  Who's your teacher?"

"Mr. Hunter."

"He's a pain in the ass. I'm lucky I even passed his class." Samira frowned, playing with her hair. "He's a nice man. He's just a harsh grader."

"Still a pain in the ass. What class do you have first?" Samira thought for a moment before she spoke. "Calculus.  Why?"

"I could walk you to your class."  Samira's raised her eyebrows, staring at him.  "Are you sure? You shouldn't be late to your class."  The skater nodded his head, fixing his hair.  "Think of it as me fulfilling my 'boyfriend' duties."  Samira didn't say anything about that, holding his hand as she led him down the hallway.  Lee simply couldn't understand how Greg Jones could leave her.  She was a sweet girl who lit up a room, carrying a delicate heart. 

"Um... Lee? We're here." The boy broke out of his thoughts, looking at her. "I knew that. But I'll see you later?"

"I think you're forgetting something." she stated, causing Lee to knit his eyebrows together.  "What am I forgetting?"

"A goodbye kiss.  You said you're fulfilling your 'boyfriend' duties, right?" Lee's ears turned crimson, regretting his words.  "I did. But I didn't mean...". He sighed, remembering the contract they had made. "You know what? Fine."

Samira smiled as she gently held his hands, looking at him. His nose brushed against hers as his lips brushed against hers, the two sharing a soft kiss.  From the corner of his eye, he noticed Greg and Mary walking down the hallway as he closed his eyes.  After what seemed like forever, Lee eventually broke the kiss as he opened his eyes.  "Uh... how was that?"

"That was... that was good.  But I'll see you later?" The skater nodded his head as he reluctantly pulled his hands away from her own, missing the feeling. "See you later, Mira."  As he walked to his own class, Samira couldn't help but smile at the nickname.  He really was the best "boyfriend" ever.

School had ended as Lee and Samira were currently in his room, flash cards and a notebook laid on the blanket.  "What is the term for a sudden seizure of power?" Lee asked, reading from a card.  "Uh... oh! Is it a blockade?"  He shook his head, flipping it over.  "It's called a coup d'etat.  A blockade is the fordable closing of ports."

Samira sighed, a few curls framing her face.  "I'm going to fail this test." she said with a groan, dramatically plopping onto the bed.   "No, you're not.  We still have a bit of time left." A few hours later, Samira sat in the car with the Walter family, on their way to the Lark after Dark fest.

She just hoped Lee's help would pay off.

IT WAS THE DAY OF HER TEST AS Samira entered the classroom and sat down.  Taking out a pencil and eraser, she began to feel a bit nervous as her teacher handed out the test.  He eventually got to her desk, placing the paper in front of her.  She got to work, remembering Lee's study session from the other day.  Question after question, she zipped through it with unusual ease.  Once the bell rang, she wrote her name down and handed it to her teacher.

The next day, her heart hammered in her ears as Mr. Hunter handed out the exams.  He got to her desk, placing it face down.  She slowly flipped it over, her eyes widening.  She couldn't wait to show Lee.  Class was finally over as she walked out the classroom.  Passing through the sea of students, she finally found him as she ran up to him.  "Lee!" she exclaimed, causing the boy to look at her.   "Mira, hi.  Uh... aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"I have a few minutes.  I got my test back."  Lee raised a brow, staring at her.  "And what did you get?"  She handed him the paper, face down.  He looked at it, her face beaming.  "You got... you got an 'A'."

"I got an 'A'!" she exclaimed as she hugged him, the boy doing the unexpected: spinning her around.  "You know what this calls for?"

"Um... no."  Lee was about to say something as he checked the time.  "Shit, you should get to class.  It's a surprise."  He sadly had to free her from his grasp, missing the feeling again. "What is it?" she asked.  "It won't really be a surprise if I tell you." he stated.  She playfully rolled her eyes as she walked away from the boy, jogging to her next class.

School had finally ended as he led the girl, her eyes closed.  "This isn't a bad surprise, is it? Oh my gosh, are you leading me to a cliff? I'm too pretty to die."  Lee's eyes widened at her statement, shaking his head.  "I'm not leading you to a cliff.  We're almost there."  He eventually stopped moving, letting go of her hand.  "You can open your eyes now."

Samira slowly opened them, her face beaming with excitement and surprise.  "You brought me to a diner? That's so sweet.  Wait, why did you bring me here?"  Lee's heart was beating fast as he saw her smile, for it really beautiful to him.  "You did great on your test.  Also, you're a hard worker and you deserve something.  Is this okay?"

"This is more than okay! Thank you, Lee!" she exclaimed, hugging him.  The two went inside, sitting in a booth.  The skater boy ordered a chocolate milkshake with a burger and fries while the curly haired girl ordered a strawberry milkshake with chicken tenders and fries.  "How can you like that? Chocolate milkshakes are better."  Samira let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand at the side of her face.  "How dare you? Strawberry milkshakes are delicious.  You're just a hater."

"A proud one."  The two continued to playfully argue over the best flavor as they ate their food.  Lee knew one thing for certain: Greg Jones was missing out and he'd never get her back.

Maya Speaks 💫:

I just love when a grumpy character is so down BAD for the sunshine 🤭

I have 7 more drafts for this book... that's just crazy because WHAT

Also happy Christmas Eve!!