BACK TO YOU

fifteen. boyfriend

▬▬ LENNOX NARROWED HER EYES at the tv, her finger on the button to make her car go as fast as possible as she went around a curve, slinging her car into the wall, but she managed to pass Steven.

“Damn it.” He muttered, making the girl laugh, but it didn’t last long when he took first place again. “Sucker.” He chuckled as she rolled her eyes. “Jere, you have to come to the party tonight, man. It’s gonna be sick. Shayla told me Liam ordered an ice luge.”

“Yeah, just don’t invite me. Rude.” Lennox muttered, but her eyes stayed on the tv that was split three ways.

“Sounds cool.” Jeremiah mumbled, clearly not at all interested in the party or even the game they were playing.

“What’s wrong with you?” Steven asked, glancing over at his best friend before looking at the tv again.

“Nothing. I just don’t feel like going out tonight.”

“Okay, now I’m concerned.” Lennox added, looking over at the boy with a crease between her brows.

“No, no. no dude. I need you, man. It’s not gonna be any fun without you.”

“Again, ouch.” Lennox mumbled.

“Oh, hush. I know you’re going. And you are fun at parties, but I need my wingman.”

“Why do you need a wingman, you already have a girlfriend?”

“But it’s Jeremaih.”

“True, true.”

“I’m still not going.”  He shook his head, his eyes moving towards the trophy that sat on the table by the couch, which Steven noticed just as Lennox took first place and crossed the finish line.

“Yes!” She cheered, standing up on the couch. “I am victorious.”

“See, this is what happens when you don’t concentrate, she wins.”

“You’re just a sore loser.” The girl hummed, sticking her tongue out at the boy and he laughed as he shook his head as Conrad made his way into the living room, a smile on his face as he watched Lennox flop onto the couch.

“All right, I-I’ve got stuff to do.” Jeremiah pushed himself up, putting his controller on the coffee table. “Have fun.”

“Jere,” Lennox called after him and he turned towards her. “You okay?”

He managed a small smile, “Yeah, Len, I’m fine.”

“Okay,” She hummed, but she didn’t believe him. “Call me if you need me.” She told him and he nodded as he left the room.

“What’s with him?” Conrad asked, watching as his brother left the room.

“I don’t know, man. He’s being weird.”

“I’m worried about him.” Lennox mumbled as she laid out on the couch.

“I’m sure he’s fine.” Steven waved her concerns off as he started up another game by himself. “But, uh, he’s not coming tonight, so it’s just you, me and the gremlin.”

“Yeah, about that, bro. I might bail, too.” Conrad told him, smiling at the girl on the couch as she sat up, giving him room to sit before she laid back against him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

“No. Bro, you haven’t hung out all summer.”

“Bro, it’s not gonna be…”

“Conrad, come on, man.” Steven cut him off, glancing back at him, a little shocked that the two had cuddled up together, but he shook it off. “I’m gonna be so mad at you if you don’t come to the party tonight. And Lennox is going.” He added, because he wasn’t stupid. He had seen them dance around each other all summer and with the way they were sitting, he assumed that something had happened.

“Don’t use me as your bargaining chip.” The girl shook her head. “You just called me a gremlin, you asshole.”

“Convince him to go, or I’m leaving you here.” He turned, his eyes narrowed at the girl and she rolled her eyes at him before tilting her head a little to look up at her boyfriend.

“Okay.”

“Okay? She didn’t even say anything.” Steven questioned, turning around to face them. “I have to ask, are you two hooking up or something?”

“Something like that.” Lennox hummed, leaning up to press her lips against the boy’s lips in a chaste kiss and he smiled at her.

“Are you guys gonna be all gross and coupley?”

“Shut up.” Lennox glared at him. “You’re probably gonna ditch us for Shalya anyways, so why do you care?”

“Just asking.” He hummed, turning back to the tv as the girl looked up at Conrad again.

“All it took was a little smile,” She mused. “You’re weak, Fisher.”

“For you.” He mumbled, his voice low and her smile grew before she sat up and turned to face him, her knees pressed into the couch.

“You’re sweet.” She hummed as she kissed his cheek, then she pushed herself up. “I gotta go get ready, I’ll be right back.”

>>>>> • <<<<<

▬▬ "YO, did you see the car in the garage, bro?” Steven gushed, his eyes wide as he took in the expansion of the house that was lit up with multi-colored lights. “I think it's a Dino 246.”

“Liam’s family does love to show off.” Conrad told him, his hand clasped around Lennox’s as they followed the boy through the house.

“I got all dressed up to drink and dance, but no, you're looking at cars and the architecture.” The girl mumbled, clearly upset that all they had done thus far was look at the house, instead of joining the dancing mass of teenagers.

“You can go, you don't have to be attached to him all night.” Steven told her, his eyes still scanning everything from the arched doorway to the tall ceilings.

“But I want to be attached.” She mumbled, wrapping her other arm around Conrad’s as she leaned against him.

Conrad just smiled at her as she hummed, leaning more into him. Then he softly kissed her forehead, she hummed at the action as her eyes fell closed. He had almost forgotten how easy it was to make her melt, almost literally. He had also forgotten how clingy she was, which he absolutely adored.

“Dude, I can't imagine growing up like this.” Steven continued, not paying much attention to the couple.

“Yeah, it's pretty crazy, huh?”

“Whatever, man. You're rich, too. You both are.”

“Not like this.” Conrad told him, keeping his girlfriend close as people rushed by them. “I mean, these kids grew up in boarding school. They saw their families once a year. That's why they're all such assholes. None of them are happy.”

“He speaks the truth.” Lennox nodded, letting her eyes roam a little and she grinned when she spotted Callie. “I'll be right back.” She told the two boys before making her eyes through the crowd. “Callie!”

“You made it!” The younger girl grinned, wrapping her arms around Lennox. “I was so worried I'd be all alone.”

“Isn't Nate usually with you?”

“Only because he drags me to these things, then he ditches me.” She huffed, pointed towards the dancing teenagers and Lennox turned, spotting Nate dancing with a blonde. “Brother of the year.”

“Want me to kick some sense into him?”

“No, it's alright. He thrives in these situations. The only reason he brings me is because mom makes him.”

“Actually, he told me he brings you because he likes spending time with you.”

“How is this-”

“No, Cal, not at the party. Afterwards, he said he loves the talks you guys have. He also told me that you're his best friend. So, yeah, brother of the year.”

“Aw, man, now I have to be nice to him.” She huffed, making Lennox laugh. “Anyway, enough about him, I saw you holding hands with a certain someone.” She smiled, raising her eyebrows.

“Yeah, that's happening.” Lennox nodded as her cheeks flushed.

“And he's coming this way.” Callie mumbled, and Lennox turned just as Conrad reached them.

“Hi.” She smiled up at him.

“Hi.” He chuckled, interlacing their fingers. “Hey, Callie.”

“Conrad.” She raised her cup in greeting, a smile playing on her lips. She hadn't known Lennox for that long, but she had never seen her so giddy. It was adorable.

“Did Steven ditch you?” Lennox asked. “Do I have to kick his ass?”

“Yeah, Jere showed up, they're at the ice luge. And no, I don't need you to kick his ass.”

“Okay, just let me know if that changes.”

“I will.” He hummed. “Now, I vaguely remember promising you a drink.”

“Yes, please.” She mumbled before looking over at Callie.

“You guys go, I’m gonna mingle. Or try to at least.”

“Have fun.” Lennox told her before she and Conrad made their way through the crowd.

>>>>> • <<<<<

▬▬ "J - JUST SLOW DOWN." Conrad laughed as he pulled the cup away from Lennox and she pouted a little. “How are you already drunk?”

“I'm not. I'm just in a good mood.”

“And that makes you act drunk?” He asked, his eyebrow raised slightly.

“Apparently, yes.” She nodded as she shifted, turning sideways so she could see him – they were on the stairs and she was between his legs on the step below him. “Can I have my drink back?”

He sighed, but handed her the cup and she grinned as she took it back before stretching up to kiss his cheek. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” She told him as he wrapped his arms around her and let his chin rest on her shoulder.

“Hey.” They both looked up as Jeremiah sat on the step next to his brother. “When did this happen?”

“Today.” Lennox told him, her smile wide. And he just nodded.

“So, hey, have you noticed anything weird about mom lately?”

“What? What are you talking about?” Conrad asked.

“What kind of weird?” She mumbled, her eyebrows pinched because she had been concerned about the woman for a few weeks. And despite her worry, the alcohol had hit her. “Suze isn't weird. She's great.”

“I'm cutting you off.” Conrad took the cup from her hands but she didn't argue as she leaned against him and started playing with his fingers.

“Oh, she's just been sleeping more.”

“Yeah, it's summertime, Jere. And mom sleeps more when she's on vacation.”

“Okay, alright, fuck you.”

“Be nice to my boyfriend.” Lennox punched Jeremiah’s leg.

“Boyfriend?”

“I said what I said.”

“I mean, finally, damn.” He mumbled. “You guys have been driving me insane all summer.”

Lennox rolled her eyes, “You're not funny.”

“No, but, seriously, I'm happy for you guys.”

“Thanks.” Conrad mumbled, tightening his arms around the girl and she hummed, letting her eyes drift closed.

After a while, Jeremiah left those two on the stairs. Conrad smiled at the girl as she wedged her fingers between his and squeezed, then she undid their hands. She pressed her palm against his, then she intertwined their fingers again.

She hummed, leaning against him as she closed her eyes. He was warm and he smelt like summertime, she loved that smell.

“Connie,”

“Yeah?”

“Can we go home?”

“Absolutely.”

>>>>> • <<<<<

▬▬ "STOP, YOU'RE DRUNK." Conrad chuckled, keeping his voice low as he looked up at the girl that straddled his hips, his hands on hers to stop them from moving any lower than his belly button.

It was taking every part of him to hold back, especially when she wore his shirt. The same shirt that had knocked all the air from his lungs when he found it on his bed just a few weeks before. But, now, it was where it was supposed to be and he loved it.

“I’m not that drunk.”

“Yes, you are.” He laughed, sitting up, his head tilted back slightly.

She pouted, her bottom lips poked out. “You’re no fun.”

“I know, baby, but you gotta sleep.” He told her, his thumb gently moving across the pulsepoint on her wrist and a wide smile pulled at her lips. “What’s with the smile, hmm?”

“You called me baby.” She mumbled, her cheeks flushed from more than just the alcohol. “I’ve missed it.” She pressed her lips against his, nothing more than a simple peck. Then she moved off of him and laid down, pulling her hands from him. He chuckled as he laid down, turning onto his side, so they were facing each other.

It was quiet for a few seconds, mostly just him letting his eyes drink her in, like he was scared she’d disappear if he had so much as blinked. She shifted a little, shuffling closer to him and his lips pulled up into a small smirk. “You wanna cuddle, don’t you?” She nodded, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red. He laughed lightly before opening his arms and she smiled as she moved closer to him, tucking herself into his chest as his arms closed around her, keeping her pressed against him.