HAUNTED
୨⎯ chapter eleven ⎯୧

Bianca couldn't deny it anymore. she was starting to like steven even more during the past two weeks.

bianca thought that it was going to take steven a couple of days to start gaining her trust, to prove that he isn't what belly or leo are going to be. but she should've know that when steven conklin has something set on his mind, he won't waste a single second to do it.

the first day - the day after - it was going normally. susannah had taken bianca out shopping since she didn't go with her last time. bianca didn't like the majority of stuff - well she did she just didn't want to waste money - susannah got every single one that she saw bianca goggly eyeing.

when bianca got back from her shopping spree and threw her bags on the bed there was a box and a white rose. bianca frowned her eyebrows picked up the single rose. she brought the petals to her nose and she smelled them. she grabbed the small box and opened it up.

there was a letter. bianca laughed.

all i need to know is
where to stop
take my hand and show me forever
never will i ever let you go.

- s. conklin

"shawn mendez." bianca whispered to herself. it was one of her favorite songs. bianca smiled fondly and held the letter and the rose close to her chest. she completely forgot about the bags of clothes that she needed to put away and simply focused on the small but meaningful gifts.

she rushed downstairs passing the boy that was responsible for her flushed face. "woah, woah, bianca! you're going to- bianca!" lena scolded at her daughter. she was holding a hot pan of cupcakes and bianca almost pushed her mom. "what are you doing!"

"uh," bianca stuttered out squinting her eyes at her mom. "i need a vase. like a flower vase," bianca said nervously. especially since she had audience. jeremiah, leo and steven were all sitting on the island eating a banana bread that her mom made. "for flowers."

"who's giving you flowers?" leo snorted.

"at least i'm getting somewhere. when was your last girlfriend? when you were twelve and you are how old now?" bianca deadpanned at her older brother. leo gasped grabbing a plastic fork that was laying around and chucked it to his sister.

"here," lena said taking out a vase from the cabinet underneath. it was a beautiful clear vase that had designs on it. it wasn't too big nor too small, it was perfect. "change the water every two-three days and put this, it'll help the flowers stay alive."

lena handed her daughter the vase and a few dozen packets. "i wonder who this boy is." lena hummed giving her daughter a wink. bianca groaned a send a glare over to steven who let out a chuckle.

"thanks mom." bianca muttered kissing her cheek and rushing back up the stairs. the next day the same thing happen. another rose and another letter with lyrics of her favorite love songs.

how i wish you'll wake up one day
run to me, confess your love
at least just let me say...

i love the way that your smile brights
up the entire room and you don't even know it.

- s. conklin

i, yeah i believe in destiny
i may be a ordinary guy with heart
and soul
but if your the one for me
i'll be your hero

- s. conklin

those two were just the one that stuck out to her the most. by the time that fourth of july came up, bianca had about fifteen letters and fifteen white roses. but that wasn't the only thing steven was doing.

whatever given moment even if it was in front of their families, he would be close to her. he would show that he was there for her by touch. steven either had his arm around her shoulder. their pinkies would be intertwined. they would play footsies with each other. knees touching. it was never much to alert anyone but it was enough to make people wonder.

bianca didn't mind. she loved it. she was still hesitate and worried that her brother would catch onto him at any given moment. but other than that she was doing good. she was doing better than before. bianca would still feel guilty about having fun and "moving on" every now and then.

but the second steven appears besides her. for some reason it all seems to leave. it's like steven sucks and takes away everything negative that she was feeling. it scared her. she wasn't ready to be vulnerable - completely vulnerable - around him. or anyone in fact. baby steps, she kept on reminding herself. baby steps.

she's also gotten closer to shayla. the two gossip about everything. shayla practically knows everything about bianca and bianca knows everything about shayla. she loved that her and shayla were close now. that there wasn't anything awkward between them. she loves that she is able to talk to shayla about steven without anything being weird.

shayla explained to bianca that the reason that they were together at the bonfire was to go strictly as friends and have fun since, shayla has a partner and steven, well, was steven. bianca told shayla all of the things that steven had been doing recently and she couldnt help but be happy for her. for her first and true girlfriend.

"awe he's actually trying! who would've thought steven conklin was such a romantic." shayla giggled her thick accent flowing through that entire sentence. bianca giggled as well taking a sip of her coffee.

"i know but i don't exactly know what i want him to do, you know." bianca said frowning her eyebrows confusing herself along with shayla. "i mean, i want him to show me that he isn't going to treat me like every other girl. i don't want to like 'hook up' with him and then him drop me but for that i need him to show me. in more ways than just the roses and lyrics and the touch affection. i just, i feel like i'm asking for too much and he doesn't even know it."

"your not asking for too much, bianca. you're not about to lower your expectations just to 'hook up' with him. it's what you want. what you're looking for and if he can't give it to you," shayla sighed deeply reaching her hand for hers. bianca put her hand on top of shaylas. "steven really likes you bianca. and i can guarantee you that that boy will go to the extent just to be with you."

"what makes you so sure?" bianca asked.

"you'll see." shayla said looking over her shoulder with a smirk. bianca squinted her eyes and slowly moved her head and looked over her shoulder.

there he was. in his working attire, holding a round black plastic tray with plates on it. "he's not supposed to work here today." bianca whispered. steven hardly ever worked at the restaurant and when he did it was only on wednesday for the tips. it was saturday. steven doesn't work at all.

steven put on a show for her. he gave her his best elegant walk. when he reached her table he set down the tray and placed all the plates in front of them. he leaned into bianca and whispered inside of her ear, "has anyone told you how beautiful you look today? no? well i just did."

bianca's eyes widen and blushed furiously. shayla giggled happily as she watched the two people she's rooting for to get together have their moment in front of her. steven walked away giving bianca a sly wink. bianca and shayla watched as steven was then caught and had to run as quick as possible out of the restaurant.

"he's getting there isn't he?" shayla asked dropping her head to her hand and smiling widely. bianca groaned and nodded her head. "called it."

└─── · 。゚☆ *.☽ .* ☆゚. ───┘

bianca hasn't been more sure about anything in her life until now. she woke up for the first time since the passing of her dad with a smile on her face. not only was it because of the conklin boy but because it was fourth of july. meaning party.

she put on a white tiered midi skirt and she put on a burgundy tube top. she did everything that was necessary. slipped on her sandals and rushed downstairs.

"but you do look good in that shirt steven." bianca heard susannah say. bianca took in a deep breath before walking inside of the kitchen. "don't you look lovely, bianca."

everyone put their eyes on bianca who smiled and blushed at her compliment. "thank you, susannah." bianca thanked quickly locking eyes with steven before going over to sit on the kitchen table, in front of nelly who gave her a knowingly look.

"oh also, if belly doesn't hurry up and ask cam to that ball, you should take her."

"ew no way." belly gagged shaking her head.

"uh, no, no, no i pass. i'm already going with bianca." steven said surprising everyone inside of that kitchen. bianca had a cup of apple juice on her mouth and was already drinking some when steven said that. bianca chocked shortly after on the apple juice. belly let out a gasp while jeremiah laughed loudly.

"oh my god really!" lena said happily entering the kitchen with laurel behind her. "that's so perfect!"

"to the debutante ball?" laurel asked just as surprised as everyone else. the adults never saw anything that was going on with the teenagers. the teenagers on the other hand have been picking up on what steven and bianca have been doing. leo has been effy about it and almost broke steven's face but conrad had a talk with him.

"yes." steven chuckled walking over to bianca and leaned against the table besides her. bianca glanced up at him giving him a confused look but steven only grinned down at her. stupid handsome grin.

"as an escort? wait are we talking about the same bianca?" laurel asked a small smile creeping onto her face.

"yes mom. wrap your head around it, mom, all right? we've been talking and i think it's the best option. i'm honestly the best option let's admit it." steven said cockily opening up his arms and pointing to himself. bianca giggled and shook her head slapping his arm.

"and she said yes?" laurel asked again looking over at the other moms. all the moms had a happily look on their face that was almost sickening.

bianca turned on her chair and look at the moms, "well i was kind of forced but i mean i get it, no one can resist me." bianca said shrugging her shoulders and flipping her braids over her shoulder. everyone laughed and their eyes never left the pair that locked eyes and shared a smile. "oh, mom," bianca turned her head back, "shayla is coming over today. you'll finally meet her."

"oh good!" lena said clapping her hands together. "it's going to be a good day." lena said causing susannah and laurel to bump shoulders with her. all the moms seeming to communicate with their own way with words.

"belly and bianca, don't forget that tomorrow is your first dance rehearsal with ms. cunningham. so, belly, tik-tok." susannah said.

"i'm asking cam today." belly said nodding her head and putting her lips in a tight line.

"i don't know my kids anymore." laurel said sighing deeply.

"wait, are you wearing makeup?" that caused the entire kitchen to riot. they all started to tease laurel who blushed and looked down at the glass. bianca giggled grabbing her glass and going over to the sink and washing her cup.

bianca walked out of the kitchen going back up to her room to get something but she was pulled into the guest bathroom. "ah! help! ah!" bianca shrieked closing her eyes and screaming. the person put a hand over her mouth and chuckled. she knows that chuckle.

bianca opened her eyes and her scream died down. "you fucking asshole, steven! how did you beat me!" bianca shirked slapping her hand on his chest and pushing him away. "jesus fuck i think you gave me a heart attack!" bianca glared at steven who was still laughing, "stop laughing, you big dofus."

"you're cute when your mad." steven said getting close to her again and wrapping his arm around her waist.

"yeah well you'll find me ever cuter when i ignore you." bianca said smiling sarcastically. she didn't bother moving away from him again. she stayed there. her back pressed against the door and stevens hands on her waist and back.

"what are you even doing?" bianca said breathing out a laugh. "someone might want to use the close bathroom."

"who cares." steven said shrugging his shoulders. he brought the hand that was behind her back and locked the door. "i just wanted to see you before i have to see my dads new girlfriend and my dad."

"you did see me. just seconds ago also, the bitch?" bianca asked grinning at steven. she remembers steven telling her a few days ago that his dad and his new young girlfriend that pass as the fishers older sister were going to come for fourth of july. bianca called her a bitch on accident but steven only laughed and she's been calling her that since then. not in a harmful way.

"you look good. who are you trying to impress?" steven asked squinting his eyes changing the subject. bianca giggled tilting her head up and to the side. steven couldn't help but lean his head down and place kiss on the side of her neck.

"mhm just a boy." bianca breathed out sighing deeply. her hand gripped onto his arm as steven started giving her openly kisses on her neck. this was the first time they've ever done anything like this. and bianca wish he would've done this before because this feels magical.

steven hummed bringing his other hand up to the side of her neck. bianca sighed deeply exposing her neck more giving him more access. her hands roamed to his raven hair and tugged on it.

before it got even more intense there was a rough knock on the door. "dads here." belly grumbled sounding mad. steven groaned dropping his forehead onto her shoulder. "hurry."

"let's go." bianca said the hand that was on his hair going to his cheek. bianca decided to be nice. she stood on her tipy-toes and placed a sweet and short kiss on his cheek. she unlocked the door and went out of the bathroom.

she was met by jeremiah, conrad, belly and leo all give her a disgusted look as steven walked behind her. his hair was messy due to her tugging on his hair, her cheeks were flushed due to what he was doing to her. their clothes were messy. they didn't do anything that they think they were doing.

"i am going to kill you, conklin." leo deadpanned, "but not right now because there is some hot chick outside next to your dad."

bianca rushed over to the door and peeked her head through the window. "smash." bianca said out loud. bianca's eyes widen and laughed at herself which earned a glare from belly and steven.

"no shes right. she's saying what everyone else is thinking." jeremiah said putting his hand up and bianca gave him a high five.

"i wasn't thinking that." belly scoffed going besides bianca and looking out the window with her.

"yo, that could be their future stepmom." conrad said meaning to say it in his head exactly like bianca but it came out loud.

"dude, what the hell!" steven muttered pushing conrad.

"don't push me." conrad said grinning at him and pushing him back. the two started pushing each other back and forth.

"guys, they're coming. they're coming." jeremiah shouted scaring bianca and causing her to slap him on the head. "ah!"

"go, go! run!" bianca said laughing pushing all the boys in front of her. she gave the conklin siblings encouraging smiles and running behind the boys. the fishers and wayne's ran inside of the living still wanting to be close and be nosy.

"i can so steal her from him." leo said.

▌ c. speaks . . . ˚. 𓄼
not edited!
I LOVE STEVEN AND BIANCA
SO MUCH I NEED A SHIP NAME