Shoutout to larash97 for requesting another chapter update. xx
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"If you ever have need of my life, come and take it." —Anton Chekhov, The Seagull
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Lesley's P.O.V
"Say cheese!" My mother squeals as the flash comes straight into my eye. I look away.
"I think you took enough pictures," Bob interrupts my mother by grabbing the camera from her hand. I smile at him for rescuing me. He nods.
"I just can't believe my daughter is graduating." She reaches for a strand of my short brown hair and tucks it behind my ears. I can see tears welling up in her blue eyes and I flash help for Harry. "Help me out here."
"Mom," he tucks at the hem of her dress. "We should find our seats. The ceremony is about to start."
They make their way to the crowd across the field. On cue, Spencer and Megan walk toward me both dressed up in their caps and gowns. My eyes search all around, trying to spot Adam. I can't find him, which is only driving my senses mad. We drove here together and suddenly he's out of sight.
"Hey," Spencer takes me in for a hug. I back away as I scan his robe. "Do I even want to ask?"
He grins. "Nop." Megan rolls her eyes. "He took my advice though. Wore some underwear." I chuckle.
An arm slides around my waist and I stiffen as Adam plants a kiss on my cheek. "Sorry," he apologizes. "Ran a little late."
Spencer locks eyes with him as he nods as if they're on to something. I let it be. For now. After that we are guided to our seats as we watch the ceremony begin. The vice-chancellor engages the stage and to the podium as he gives a speech about life and the future. All the faculties stand and applause as he exists the stage. What follows are different council and jury members who elect their speech to us. And when the dean takes the stage, I feel Adam stiffen next to me.
The law suit was filled in private as in the public isn't aware of the matter. Adam wanted that and I respected it. But now, Lucian received the warning and he knows in several weeks, life will change. So he stands a bit taller as he starts to call out our names in order.
Jennet Andy ...
Megan Denver... Adam, Spencer, and I cheer for her from the top of our lungs as she walks.
Harper Grau...
Lesley Parker ... No way in hell I couldn't stop smiling as I watched my family stand from their seats and applause. Or when Adam yelled, "that's my girl." But when I reached Lucian, my smile faded. I had to shake his hand. How was I supposed to touch him?
Adam's P.O.V
I can see the hesitation drawn all over her body. He's staring at her, a grin spread all over his face. I want to run up the stage and hide her, protect her. But he won't do anything stupid, there are cameras and people everywhere. He cares about his reputation more than anything. I keep watching as she lightly shakes his hand in disgust and takes the diploma. He says something between his teeth and my jaw tenses. She nods and walks away back to our seats. I want to know what he said but she's seated half way from me. This is so frustrating.
Spencer Peters ... I stand up from my seat and so does Lesley as we clap. Several names are called out and mine is up... Adam Reindl
I walk as fast as I can. Not because of excitement, I already have a well paid job cut out for me and this diploma just adds to the things I won't need now. But because I want to know what he mumbled to Lesley between that mouth of his. He's wearing a navy blue suite with a light blue tie that pops his green eyes out. It's the familiarity that is haunting me, like now I smile at him forgetting what even happened. But it comes crashing down and my shoulders tense. I grab his hand, shaking it way tighter than expected. He manages to keep a smile on his face as he says, "I received the invitation."
"I hope you enjoy the party," I smirk. He sighs. "Congratulation, Adam. I'm so proud of you and I'm pretty sure mom would." He even sounds genuine.
I don't say anything because I have to walk off the stage now, so I nod. I look at my left toward the crowd and my father and Lesley's family are applauding. I smile.
The ceremony ends and after snapping several pictures, we make our way to Violet Trigger bar for celebration. Spencer and I head to the bar to grab some beers. "Is this for me, handsome?" A blonde girl with red lipstick wearing a tight black dress that pops up her cleavage, smoothers her fingers along my arm.
I pull away. "Umm-" she interrupts me. "I got to say you're even hotter up close." She giggles and sits on my lap. Spencer eyes me curiously and I flash a sign of help. If it was back then, I would've gladly banged her in the toilet. But now, I grab the bottles and say, "actually, it's for her." I point toward Lis who seems tense and about to slap someone. I know I have trouble ahead of me so I stand up, and the blonde falls to the ground. "You don't have to be such a jerk," she says as she scrambles herself from the floor. I ignore her comment and slide in next to Lis. She doesn't acknowledge my presence as she keeps talking with Megan.
"Lis?" I nudge her. She doesn't reply. "I got a beer for you," I tell her.
"No, thanks." She sharply replies.
"What's wrong?" I frown.
"Nothing."
I groan. "Stop it."
She jerks her head toward me and fake smiles. "You're such an asshole."
My eyebrows strike up. "What did you just say?" I say between my teeth.
She leans her cheek on her palm. "You heard me."
I can't help but chuckle. "Awh! Are you jealous, Lis? That's adorable."
She stiffens and her face falls. I sigh, "I pushed her off me."
"Didn't seem like it. It seemed like you were enjoying her boobs more than the beer."
"Okay, Lis. That didn't happen," Spencer interrupts. "She came out of nowhere but he cut her off."
I do a puppy dug face and she shrugs. She grabs the bottle and drinks. "Thanks," she wiggles the bottle in front of me. Her shoulder relax but when I place my hand on her bare leg, she stiffens. I start drawing circle under the table slowly inside of her thighs. She chugs the beer and pretends to gulp down. I lean forward and plant a peek on her neck, just under her ear, at her pressure point. I feel her legs turn jello and she leans forward.
"Should we go home?" She mutters.
"Let's dance." I pull my hand away and grab her as we make our way to the dance floor.
Lesley's P.O.V
We stand somewhere in between the crowd and Adam slips his hand around my waist and pulls me closer. He has that lazy smile on his face and I can't help but grin. His hair grew into longer wavy curls so he pushed them back with a head band.
After several songs, my body starts exhausting by sweating. Adam grabs my waist and turns me around. I sway my hips to the beat and we move in sync. I love the adrenaline dancing gives me and since it's with Adam, it's double. This reminds me of the time Spence and I danced the tango. Days have flied.
I can feel his heavy breath on my neck. Goosebumps rise on my neck as Adam kisses it. I lean back, giving him more space as he plants his warm mouth all along. We catch our breath and make it out of the dance floor. When we near our table, Adam says, "You made it."
I narrow my eyes to the guy Adam is patting. His light brown hair and eyes seem black in the dark. The muscular physique of his broad shoulder definitely indicates he's an athlete. A rugby or american football player. Maybe.
"Lis, meet Barry Evans. We go way back," Adam introduces us. I smile weakly at him. Barry's eyes pace between Adam and I as if he's on to something, and a smile spreads across his face.
"Lesley," I correct Adam. Barry raises his voice over the music as he smiles at me. "It's nice to meet you."
I nod. "Same to you." We slide in our table where Megan seems about to sleep. I nudge her and she offers a weak smile. "Hey," she says to Barry.
"Barry," he reaches out his hand as his eyes sparkle a bit.
"Megan." She shakes his hand and I can hear her sucking a breath in. I lock eyes with Adam as we both grin, knowing that there's a spark between these too.
"So, how do you know Adam?" I ask Barry.
"We go way back to high school. He used to be a nerd. Just saying." He says.
Adam chuckles. "Maybe. But a nerd who scored more than you." I feel my face fall.
"So what?" I eye him curiously. "You keep count of the girls that lined up to get your hot nerd attraction?"
I feel Barry shift in his position. Why did I just say that? Now, I sound like an obsessed girlfriend.
Barry interjects. "He meant football. I used to be the captain of our North Hill High School but Adam was the pitcher." He rubs his chin, "but yeh, he did have a line of girls waiting."
Megan interfers. "That's just pathetic, Adam. Let me guess, you have a little black book of yours?" He smirks which only eases up the tension.
Thank. You. Megan.
"Anyways, who wants another round?" She says and calls out for Spencer over the bar. She signals four beers and he nods, as he works a drink in hand.
Adam clears his throat. "So, Barry. Why did your visit extended longer?"
"I got offered a job to be a coach for NHHS for the following year." He smirks. "Couldn't turn it down."
Megan engages the conversation. "What position do you play?"
"Quarterback."
"Oh, yeh," she challenges. "Which team?"
"THIW," he leans forward on the table.
She crinkles her nose. "Losers." His eyebrows strike up as he takes in the insult. "NHU is better."
He chuckles. "I'm having a hard time believing that because, you see, THIW is the best in football."
"Well," she leans even closer. "Maybe after your coaching, NHU could be." Is she flirting? Absolutely.
His grin stretches showing a hint of dimples. "And maybe if you were the captain of our cheerleading squad, we could." Yup. They are defiantly flirting.
Barry whispers something in Adam's ear. Adam shakes his head as if to say no and then Barry leans forward. "Would you like to dance, Megan?"
"Lead the way," she offers and stands up. We watch as they leave and turn to face one another. "So, that went... Well," I say. "Why did you stop playing?"
He shrugs. "I guess it just wasn't for me."
"Is there something that you can't do?" I rhetorically ask. He rolls his eyes as he smiles. His eyes dart to the dance floor as he takes a swig.
"Never could've guessed she was his type." He crosses his arms.
"Not everyone has a specific type." I tell him.
He arches an eyebrow. "I beg the differ."
"What is yours then?"
He slyly smiles and bites down on his lips. "Brunette. Hazel eyes. Killer legs. A smart mouth. Literature student. Her name starts with an L..." He arches an eyebrow. "Should I continue?"
I feel my cheeks redden. "Are you feeding me bullshit?" I eye him curiously. He gasps and places his hand on his heart, as if I'd hurt him with my words. "I do no such thing."
I scowl at him. He drops the act and chuckles. "This is one of the things I love about you."
"What thing?" I ask.
"That you don't laugh at everything I say. You put me in place." He leans forward and cups my cheek. I look into his warm shade of green. "You're my anchor and without you, I'd float all over the place."
I crash my lips on his instantly. It's not a fast hungry kiss but instead a long one that makes my body shiver. All I can think of is how good and right it is to kiss him. He breaks the kiss and locks his eyes with mine.
"If you ever have need of my life, come and take it." He quotes Anton Chekhov. I melt and melt and melt all over again. I plant a peck on his lips and he opens his arm to me. I scoot closer as he places his hand around my shoulder and I lean in to his chest, listening to his heart beat against the beat of the music.