A/N: Reminder that the Italics are our beloved main character speaking from the future. Happy reading.

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Levi’s POV:

After the teacher returned from talking with Kayden, we got back into the lesson. I was mostly distracted by the events of today. Before I realised the bell rang, signalling the end of the day. I bid my friends farewell after meeting them on the way out. Usually, I’d ride the bus with Jace, as we lived fairly close to each other. But today, Jace decided to go on a date with Amari, so I was on my own. The bus ride was short and uneventful, and a tiny part of me hoped to see a glimpse of a certain man with purple hair but to no avail. I walked home listening to music, trying to keep myself from stopping in the middle of the sidewalk and busting out in a dance. To say the least, “I’ll be yours” by Girl’s Day is an absolute bop.

"I'm home,” I shouted, closing the door.

"Hi baby, how was your day at school today?" My mum asked, taking my bag off my shoulder. I kissed her on the cheeks, and she smiled at me with her dimple-filled cheeks, her eyes turning into crescent moons. Her motherly warmth, made me love the moments between the two of us. My mum was a beautiful woman, she was of average height, long black hair that flowed just below the small of her back.

My father had always complimented her hair, always telling me that it was one of his favourite things about her.

"It was all right. Jace is still annoying." I pouted my lips to show my annoyance.

"Aww, of course, he is.” She reached out and scruffed the top of my head. “Now go change and wash up. Lunch will be ready soon." She ordered me with her signature ‘hurry the fuck up’ smile.

"Okay, but where is Dad?" I asked, looking around the living room.

"He went to the store to get something. He will be here soon,” Mum answered.

Then the door opened, revealing my dad. "Dad!" I screamed, jumping on him, hugging tightly.

"Hey there, easy, you are not as small as you used to be, and I'm not as strong as I used to be," Dad complained, making me whine at his lie. My dad was a strong muscular man. He could carry me if he wanted to. I may be tall, but I’m tiny at heart. I nod mentally, agreeing with my statement.

“But dad…” I whined, giving him my best puppy eyes.

“Nope, those eyes won’t work on me no more. I’ve had 18 years of experience. I’m not falling for it anymore.” Dad answered, putting me back down on my feet, and he tried to step away from me. I pout as he moved toward Mum and leaned in to kiss her. He was much taller than her, towering over her by a foot.

“Hi sweetie, I got the things you asked for,” Dad said to Mum, handing her the bags of food.

“Thank you, love. Did you get my ice cream?” Mum asked excitedly, ready to devour her favourite pistachio flavoured treat.

My dad stopped dead in his tracks and stiffened. That meant one thing, and one thing only… He had forgotten it. I wondered, would he prefer to be buried or cremated? Because coming in between my mum and her sweets was like asking for death itself.

“Umm… I will wash up… um yeah, I will do that.” I chuckled nervously, looking at my dad.

The old man gave me the, ‘don’t you leave or else look’. . At the same time, my mum mentally shot daggers at him. I widened my eyes in fear, frozen in place, unsure what to even do.

“So, Avery…” She began. Dad and I both gulped down the saliva in our throats… She said his name. They ALWAYS used pet names, honestly, I hardly ever heard them use their government names around me. And when they did, it was not a pretty sight.

“You mean to tell me you went to the store, walked in there, and walked out without passing the frozen aisle?” She asked accusingly.

“No darling, I did walk past the frozen section.” He managed to splutter out. “It just didn’t cross my mind. I’m very sorry. I’ll go back and get it right now.” He panicked, trying to save his ass from the burning glare she sent his way.

“No, don’t bother. I will get it myself… Since you don’t love me anymore.” She accused.

I sigh, rubbing my face in frustration. “Here we go again," I mumbled under my breath.

But to my dismay, she heard me, snapping her head in my direction like a viper. “Do you have something to say, Levi?”

“Nope, nothing ma’am. I’m not here.” I answered, shaking my head, trying not to anger her further.

“Lyn Honey, I am very sorry I wasn’t thinking straight. I love you so much, you know I do, and to make it up to you, how about we go on a date tonight to your favourite Ice Cream shop?” Dad stammered, getting closer to Mum, hugging her tightly and kissing her head.

“Oh, okay, yeah, that sounds lovely.” She smiled, hugging Dad back. Both of us let out a sigh of relief.

Crisis avoided.

Typically, we’d have to move heaven and earth to appease her when she was angry.

“I’m sorry, Honey, I will never forget it again, I promise,” my dad added, groveling for forgiveness.

I coughed, “Whipped,” I mumbled between coughs. My dad heard my lame joke, and glared at me. I returned an innocent smile, trying to look like the angel I knew I was.

"Yeah, you got that right," Mum said confidently, smirking. My dad pulled from my Mum’s embrace, and he frowned at her. My Mum decided to laugh at his agony, the sound of her hyena laugh caused all of us to burst out into laughter. Their fight was easily forgotten afterwards.

I go to my room, take my uniform off, and shower quickly, contemplating all my life decisions and where I went wrong.

Again, excuse my dramatic self. I can be a real drama queen.

“Oh yeah, that’s an understatement,” added Jace unwantedly.

“No one asked, Jace.”

Back to the story.

After dinner (my favourite time of day), I kiss Mum and Dad goodbye as they get ready for their date. I headed upstairs to my room and sat at my desk to do my homework.

After a while of getting to the books, my door burst open, "I'm here bitches, and I've come for you to take you to not-so-single land." I jumped from my seat, frightened. I hurry up and shush him in case my parents heard. Oh wait, they are not here. 

"For the love of all that’s holy, why have you got to be so loud?" I sighed.

"Please remind me for the hundredth time. Why are we friends again?" I asked every beautiful inch of me the same question every time.

"Because you love me… a lot… now let's get to work, you single cringle," he answered.

"Cringle, real- Wait, what work?"

"We are working on how to get you a Kayden." He stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh no... here we go,” I said dramatically. “I told you I’m not interested.” LIES, I think to myself.

“Doesn’t matter, I will tell you my plan anyway,” he added determinedly.

“Seriously, Jace, did today’s lunchtime incident not teach you anything? You told Amari, whom you said yourself is close with Kayden. What if he hears the lies you’ve told?” I argue, frustrated with him. He looked at me with guilt in his eyes, knowing what he did was wrong.

“Okay, I’m sorry, it just slipped out, and I told Amari not to say anything, so he won’t, I promise. Just hear me out. I know you like him just a little,” he pinched his fingers together. “And I know you guys would be perfect for each other. You don’t even have to do anything. Just listen,” Jace looked at me with his cute irresistible puppy eyes.

“Ugh, fine.” I groaned, knowing I wouldn’t get my homework done at all.

I sat on my bed, listening to Jace go on and on about my pathetic romantic life. Making me contemplate my life decisions, but hey, at least he was having fun. I typically was awkward around people that I liked, I didn’t know how to act around them, and it was almost impossible to talk to them. I may be competent in my studies, but I'm stupid at life (according to Jace, of course).

After talking for hours, he decided to spare me and go home. So he could face time with Amari. Jace could be his problem now, he would exhaust me to the point of no return at times. I paused and thought to myself. Since Amari was close friends with Kayden, I should ask about him... Maybe see if he had any social media…

I reached for my phone… I pulled my phone away as soon as my hand made contact with the mobile device. What was I thinking? I can't stalk the guy. I just needed to calm down and complete my homework.

But...

It wouldn't hurt to get to know him a little?

I shook my head at the thought and tried to focus back on my homework for the umpteenth time for the night.

— — —

I woke up the following day annoyed by the rays of the sun escaping my blinds and hitting my face, the audacity. Looking at the time, I woke up 5 minutes before my alarm. “Ugh, I hate that,” I say as I gather all my energy to get up and do my morning routine. I head to the kitchen to have breakfast; Mum is waiting for me with her smile. “Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?” my mum asked, handing me my lunch for today.

“Good morning. Thank you, Mum. Yeah, I slept all right. I wish I could sleep some more, though.”

She laughs as I kiss her goodbye and leave for the bus stop.

When I arrived, I found that Jace was waiting for me, waving like a madman. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“Morning,” I grumbled, sleep evident in my voice.

“Well, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” How is he able to be so energetic this early? I thought to myself. He then continued, “Anyway, you won’t believe what Amari said to me last night I...”

"... and you know he kept saying that I am not cute. Can you believe I-"

"Oh, look, the bus is here,” I interrupted his babbling, thanking all the gods for saving me. The bus was quite crowded today, my eyes glazed off all of the seats, and they settled on Amari sitting at the back. I waved at him with a smile on my face, and he waved back, ushering for Jace to come and sit next to him. It was clear that he had saved a seat for Jace.Lucky Bastard. I ended up taking place next to the second door, holding on for dear life as the bus driver erratically drove around.

After a few stops, the first door of the bus opened, revealing Kayden. When he stepped onto the bus and my heart went haywire as if it were on a dance floor. It almost felt like my heart would stop any second now. (Goodbye world, this is the moment your precious Levi died.)

Now, do you remember how I told you I would help you avoid awkward not-so-secret crushes situations? Well, my friends, here is why. Let me tell you one thing: first, DO NOT STAND NEXT TO YOUR CRUSH IN A CROWDED BUS… JUST DON’T.

Kayden walked closer and closer until he stopped next to me. He slipped behind me to stand on the steps. I feel my stomach drop to the floor… I take a deep breath as I can feel his presence behind me.

"Hi, good morning", he smiled at me.

"H-hi, morning,” I slapped myself internally for stuttering.

The bus began to get more crowded, causing us to inch closer and closer together. Holding onto the same pole to stop ourselves from galling. My hand slipped downward by accident, of course (it’s not like I was doing it on purpose or anything), but his hand had started to go upward, and his thumb brushed up against mine. Did he move his hand closer to mine? My mind was in shambles, I avoided looking at him. My breathing slowed a bit, and he hadn’t moved his hand, just as I wouldn’t dare move mine in this wonderful moment.

I took a deep breath and looked at him. Our eyes connected, and I felt as if all of my emotions were overflowing. I blushed and hoped that the floor would open and swallow me whole. For all that was good in the world, I thought PLEASE SAVE ME!. He stared with that smirk on his face and then started laughing. I looked at him, confused, not wanting to seem too awkward. I start nervously chuckling too...

Calm down, Levi… conceal it. Don't feel it, and for god’s sake, don't let it show.

After a few seconds of him laughing and me trying not to risk everything, the bus finally stopped in front of the school. Kayden looked at the school, then back at me when we exited the bus, and he said, "See you around,” and then walked away. I stand there frozen and unable to move or speak.

What’s wrong with me? When did I become this blushing, stuttering guy whose heart won’t stop bounding?

Jace came running up to me as I stood staring at Kayden's back...

God, can I embarrass myself any more than this?

"Oh My, what happened? You were laughing with each other. Did you guys talk about something important?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"WHAT? No, just something happened. I will tell you later. Can we just go to school?" I could feel my face red with embarrassment.

"Okay, let's go."

Amari and Jace walked in front of me while I stayed a couple of steps behind them. Thinking to myself as to why I was still there. For the rest of the day, I was distracted, I kept seeing him everywhere I went, and my eyes couldn't help but follow his every move. At that moment, I realised that I was slowly getting too deep into him, and I couldn't do anything to stop it, like a tsunami hitting me at full force. I couldn’t stop my heart from beating for him. Maybe these feelings would disappear if I got to know him. I mean, he’s like this big mystery that showed up in front of me. Maybe I wouldn’t like his personality, and my heart would stop bounding.

“Guys,” I called for Jace and Amari to catch their attention.

“I need a favour.” They looked at me confused.

“Sure, Lee, what’s up?” Amari asked.

“Let’s talk at lunchtime,” I said, and we start walking to school. 

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That's the end of chapter 3. Thank you for reading. Leave a vote and a comment if you enjoyed, and I will see you all in the next one. :)