My heart thudded loudly in my chest as Slavvy's dark eyes locked onto mine, sharp and intense, like they could pierce through my very soul. The hallway around us felt smaller, the walls closing in, as though the world had shrunk down to just the two of us. His hands rested lightly on my shoulders, holding me in place, and I felt a shiver of something I couldn't name run down my spine.
His lips looked soft, inviting, yet I reminded myself to stay careful. There was a pull I couldn't resist, like a moth drawn to a gentle, flickering flame. The way he gazed at me made me feel seen—and exposed—at the same time.
Before I could gather my thoughts, he leaned closer, and our lips brushed together. It wasn't rough; it was slow, deliberate, a tense, lingering closeness. My body tensed, unsure how to react, while a strange flutter of excitement mixed with caution coursed through me. I wasn't used to this, and yet, a part of me didn't want it to end.
We pulled back for a moment to catch our breath. His eyes searched mine, warm yet intense, and I could feel the quiet pulse of electricity in the air between us.
"I… liked that," he murmured, his voice low, soft, and almost vulnerable. My chest fluttered, a nervous excitement I couldn't hide.
Then, unexpectedly, he scooped me up in a gentle, almost playful embrace, carrying me lightly like I weighed nothing.
"What are you doing? Someone could see us," I whispered, a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration washing over me.
"Don't worry—there's nobody here," he replied with a smirk, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I pressed a finger gently to his lips, shushing him. The moment was private, almost fragile, and the weight of the world seemed to fall away.
"People will always talk," he said quietly, his tone serious now. "No matter what you do, good or bad, they'll always have something to say. Don't let them matter."
His words washed over me, and suddenly, the petty warnings of my friends and sisters seemed trivial. I exhaled slowly, letting them drift from my mind like smoke.
"Shall we get to our homework now?" he asked, a playful note in his voice. I nodded, excitement and a hint of nervousness stirring inside me.
He carried me carefully out of the school building and toward his car, the wind catching strands of my hair and sending shivers down my back. The city of Cape Town stretched out before us, sun dipping gently toward the horizon, the golden light reflecting off the water in the distance. I had a couple of hours with him before I needed to go home, and I felt both thrilled and slightly uneasy.
"Where are we going?" I asked, curiosity tinged with caution.
"Somewhere," he said simply, his eyes flicking toward me, full of a teasing spark.
As we drove, the world outside blurred—a mix of sun, ocean, and streets fading into the background. The music from his car filled the space, rich and alive, and for a moment, everything else disappeared except for the quiet hum of the engine, the rhythm of the songs, and the feel of him beside me.
"No way, you like this song?" I said, recognition lighting my voice.
"You love RnB," he observed, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"It's one of my favorites," I admitted softly.
"Not many girls listen to it anymore," he said, a note of teasing in his tone.
"I like music that speaks to the soul—gospel, RnB, country. Something with feeling," I replied, a hint of pride in my voice.
"You listen to country?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, and I love it," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart raced.
He chuckled, low and warm, the sound vibrating through me. "Well, that's refreshing," he said, and the tension between us lightened just a fraction.
Later, he stopped at a drive-thru, ordering food with calm confidence. "Afternoon, can I have two Big Mac meals?" he said clearly, his voice steady.
"Anything else, sir?" the lady asked politely.
He glanced at me briefly. "Testimony, do you want anything else?"
"No, I'm good, thanks," I replied, feeling a little self-conscious under his gaze.
He continued his order: double French fries, McNuggets, a side salad, drinks, each request steady and firm. The cashier's eyes flickered toward me, and I felt a faint heat rise in my cheeks.
Back in the car, I handed him my drink, noticing the way he took it and didn't break eye contact. "Thank you," he murmured, a small smile playing on his lips.
"hold this for me" he whispered, soft and possessivet loud enough for me to hear. My stomach fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, trying to sound bold even though my heart raced.
"Someone was jealous," he said slowly, almost teasing, spelling it out: "J.E.L.O.U.S."
"Jealous? Who, me? For what?" I asked, forcing calm into my voice, though a flush spread across my cheeks.
"You were jealous of that girl," he said simply, a spark of amusement in his eyes.
I swallowed hard, a mixture of emotions twisting inside me—fear, fascination, and something I couldn't name. I knew I was treading dangerous ground, but I also felt that I couldn't pull away.
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