Drowning In Color | ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Four

Luka's wound pretty much healed within a couple of weeks. And of course, nobody in school bothered to question it. Except Mr Johnson, the only teacher to really pay close attention to him. What a teacher's pet.

"I told you it's just a flesh wound," Luka bragged. I rolled my eyes, wondering if a thought like that reflected strength or stupidity. His comeback was, "If my stupid mind wins a heart like yours, I'll be your idiot."

I cringed at his words. And he did as well. That's how you know how bad it is. Does he even think before he attempts to sound poetic like that? Well, I guess it's all in the tone of voice.

I started wearing dresses more often again, knowing that Luka likes it better when I do. For some reason, he prefers it that way, and there's no harm in switching things up every once in a while.

On top of that, I started to let my roots grow out. While the majority of it was still black, a tiny bit of the red was coming back onto my head. I still judged Luka for being so hypocritical though. I'm not sure if he's trying to make me change for my own good, or just so he can be unique again. Whatever. I didn't mind.

Nothing was without condition though. While I didn't mind him acting all prince-like sometimes, I warned him to cut the crap about hiding his emotions from me. If he wants us to stay together, he's gonna have to tell me the truth no matter what. He agreed. Finally!

"I see your forehead's healed. Good for you," Joanne said sarcastically.

Luka towered over her and folded his arms to look more intimidating. "Fight me one on one and we'll see who's the one getting hurt, bitch." Oh shit. He totally called her out!

While I didn't approve of his tough talk, watching him provoke the school's queen like that was a little refreshing. Especially seeing her backing off a bit for once. Though not without a fight, since she still had her lackeys from the football team to do her dirty work. Everyone in the school corridor gasped at the sight of a fight.

That's my cue to step in. Luka and I actually spent some time making friends with other students who were bullied. Surprisingly, that's a lot of people. They may not have anything against Joanne specifically, but they sure were pissed at the other dudes.

Moreover, I knew that those boys wouldn't hurt me. All they could do to me was insults. And an occasional shove or two, but nothing too serious. If worst comes to worst, geeks have access to the cameras and computers. It's only a matter of time that bullies get reported-to the police, if absolutely necessary.

Luka held me close to him as we escaped from the commotion. If there's a single sport he's excellent at, that would be dodgeball. We ran to the bike and drove off to the mall, where it was time for him to do his job.

Because of him, I started reading chicklits. At least simple paperback ones, with not too many pages in a book for me to start off with. That's just the perk of having a boyfriend who can give you discounts. And knows his way around the bookstore.

I'd read a couple books on the floor of the bookstore. If the manager chases me off, I'd find a nearby bench to finish the book, or just stand around. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, so long as I actually buy it.

The only disappointing thing is being separate from Luka, but that's just what a job is, I guess. It probably hurts me more than it does him, seeing all those girls surrounding him in his uniform like that.

Through the glass window, I glared at some girls tugging onto my boyfriend's clean white shirt. Sometimes I wonder if they're there for books or sex. That's probably what scandalous adult novels are for. Good thing Luka catches me standing there every time. And he always finds a way to shoo them off, or guide them to a random bookshelf... I presume.

If guys try to hit on me, however, the only way for me to find help is to enter the shop and look for Luka. Or if I manage to scream loud enough, he'll come out. I know, real mature. But at least it's priceless to see the look in their faces. Even I have to admit, Luka looks like the kind of person you wouldn't want to mess with, especially when he doesn't have his shy-emo getup on.

Back at home, I invited Luka over. My parents were starting to accept me having a boyfriend. Well... Mostly Mom. I still catch Dad giving those tough handshakes. More so on days when Luka doesn't have work. But at least they're fine with having him for dinner, since Mom makes the decision on that.

"Mom, Dad, we're going upstairs to play some games now," I excused ourselves, pulling Luka off his chair once he was done with his plate.

"Leave the door open," Dad warned. I made sure to face away from him before rolling my eyes.

Even though I had our entire evening planned out, Luka just had to ruin it with homework. Refusing to let me play before it was completed, he scavenged through my bag to find all the papers. That was when he realized that until now, I still did not know shit about Chemistry. He was utterly speechless about it.

It's not my fault. Chemical names and descriptions are just hard to remember. Like, who needs to know what type of metal a sample is? It's just redundant if you're not planning to work as a chemist.

He managed to find a way to get me to learn, though. "Say ah..." he tempted with a cookie full of chocolate chips. Geez... I am seriously such a bitch right now-his bitch, and I'm loving the rewards.

Tired of doing work, I wanted to be a little sassy. So I asked him, "What if I don't want a cookie anymore?"

He licked his lips while staring a few inches from me, waving a cookie in between our mouths. "I'll just have the rest for myself then." He placed it in his mouth, half of it sticking out. I bit that off, claiming it as a victory for doing nothing. "Naughty little girl, aren't you?" he remarked.

He slid my sleeve down, revealing my shoulder, and licked from it, all the way up to my ear. I squeaked, then faked a laugh. "Pft. Got a problem with that?" I didn't back down. Why wasn't I backing down?

"You know it's so easy to just undress and do things to you," he threatened. Not in a scary way, for the most part. So I kept mocking him, asking rhetorically what would happen if I wanted that. He patted my head. "I care enough to know that you don't."

How could I possibly have met someone who knew me so well?

9.48pm. Late enough for most parents to worry about their kids being out. Or in my case, to worry about a boy staying in. I guided Luka to the door after he bade my parents goodbye. That's the only way for them to trust that I'm not making a stupid decision with my SO.

Or at least, that's what I want them to believe.

After my shower, I locked my room door so that no one could get in, as usual. From the window, Luka arrived after washing himself up. It's a Friday, so there's no school tomorrow. And that means he can stay for as long in the night as he wants.

"Your hair's still dripping wet, dipshit. You're gonna catch a cold." I pulled out a spare towel from my wardrobe to lend to him.

He hugged my waist from the back without me expecting it. "As always, you look amazing in your nightgown," he whispered.

"I saved your favorite one for today."

I got totally used to having him sleep by my side on some nights. It sure beats shivering alone in the cold.

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What a Romeo >w<

"If my stupid mind wins a heart like yours, I'll be your idiot."

What do you think of this sentence? And what embarrassingly romantic phrases have you ever said to your crush/lover?