Sweethearts

“This is going to be exhausting.”

“But fun. Never forget that. Totally fun. So much fun. Here we arrive at your first destination.” He lifted up their hands and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”

“How did you know my first class?” she asked.

“I know a lot of things, and I’ve got a way of finding them out.” He wasn’t about to spill all of his secrets. Leaning in, he brushed his lips against her cheek. “I’ll respect your boundaries until you’re ready for my lips on yours. FYI, you’re going to love my kisses.”

With that, he pulled away, offered her a wink, and left.

Being a boyfriend was actually a lot of fun.

****

Ruby didn’t know if being a girlfriend was something she was cut out for. Sure, she loved him holding her hand, and got a buzz out of being escorted to her first class, but … the stares. Even when he wasn’t around, girls were talking behind their cupped hands, and they didn’t even make a show of trying to hide the fact they were talking about her.

She wasn’t fucking stupid!

She knew who they were talking about.

By the time lunch came, she wasn’t surprised to see Theo waiting for her, standing by her locker with that smirk on his lips.

“Hey, girlfriend. How is your day going?”

“Crappy. Yours, boyfriend?” She winced, not sure if calling him a boyfriend would work for her, but it did sound good though.

“It’s been awesome. I’m off the market. I’ve had five chicks ask me out, and I’ve been able to turn each of them down flat.”

He slammed his fist against her locker.

“You’re not sad about that?”

“Why would I be sad? I’ve got a girlfriend.”

“They will kiss you and probably do other things with you.”

He shrugged. “I don’t want to kiss just anyone. Besides, I can handle a cheek.” He leaned in close and kissed her cheek. “See, I like this. I like our boundaries. I can respect your wishes.”

“Why?”

“I like you.” He held his hand out. “Now, your turn.”

“I can’t stand people talking about me.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard. Some people think you’re pregnant.”

“What? How could they think that with one date?”

“I don’t know. They like to make up shit as they go along.” He held her hand all the way to the cafeteria.

She made him halt at the doors.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I don’t know if I can go in there.”

“Well, I can. No one is going to point or say shit while I’m with you.”

“I don’t think my life should be controlled by your mere presence, Theo.” She tried to pull her hand away, but again, he wouldn’t let her.

“You know, I thought you were above what other people thought of you.”

“I am.”

“Then why do you even care what they think? We had an amazing date. Are you really going to let a bunch of kids tell you what you can and cannot do?”

“No, of course not.”

“Good. Me neither.”

He pulled her into the cafeteria, and they went straight to the lunch line. Theo grabbed her hips and stood behind her.

She held the tray, and he rested his chin on her head.

“What looks good today, do you think?” he asked.

“Not the coleslaw.” She wrinkled her nose.

“You heard the rumors about all the staff spitting into it whenever one of us pisses them off?”

“Are you willing to risk it?”

“I don’t eat coleslaw. I don’t like raw cabbage.”

“Interesting.”

He hummed his approval. “Anything you don’t like?”

“Guys holding my hips and moving me down the line?” She giggled.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they stop. That way, I’m the only one doing it. Since I’m your boyfriend, I get touching hip rights.” He gave her hips a squeeze. “And you like it.”

“You’re insane.”

“Only for you.”

They both settled on a couple of burgers and fries.

Her home had a power outage during the night, so her alarm didn’t go off, and she’d slept in, making it impossible for her to grab lunch from home. She’d had to leave straight away to arrive in time for school.

She hated cafeteria food, but she couldn’t be choosy today.

Theo wouldn’t let her pay. When they got to the lunch lady at the register he pulled out his wallet and paid for their food. Then, with his hands back on her hips, he walked her across the hall to his table. The guys were in shock, she could clearly see it, but they didn’t say a word, instead making room for the two of them. Theo made sure she sat down first before taking a seat beside her.

“Everyone, you know Ruby. Ruby, you know everyone.”

She held her hand up, feeling completely out of place. “Hey, everyone.”

“You two are a thing now? It’s not just a rumor?” Jake asked.

Ruby didn’t bother answering.

“She’s my exclusive girlfriend. You got a problem with it, take it up with me.”

“He likes to throw around the girlfriend word a lot,” she said, taking her burger.