The Wallflower and The Star Athlete (closed for Poprockz)

[Poprockz]

She imagined a lot of girls around campus had the same preference due to his playful green eyes. To be fair, they did seem to draw one in when looking at them.

His joke made her laugh and she waved her hand, “oh of course! But I’d have to get a shot of myself swimming through a pile of money wearing nothing but a bikini made of money- that way it can be sensational enough to make the news!”

 

[Mr_Positive]

'Now we're talking, plus I'd bet you'd looked good in that bikini', saying before he had realised he had said it.

Oh fuck, he thought, I have screwed this up now verbalising that I am thinking of her like that,

He cleared his throat and by some miracle, the desserts arrived at that exact moment.
'Wow these look incredible'.

 

[Poprockz]

Olivia wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, feeling a bit flustered and shy by that comment. He had complimented her appearance before, but this felt… a little different. Maybe she was reading things wrong though. She hadn’t ever had a close guy friend, so maybe they liked being playful like that.

Fortunately the desserts saved her from having to reply to that, the woman looking excitedly at the two sweet treats, her cheeks still slightly pink.

“They look really good,” she agreed, taking her spoon and trying the panna cotta. It was a simple cream dessert with peach syrup and slices over it, but it was decadent nonetheless. Olivia practically swooned with pleasure as she swallowed and looked up at him excitedly, “oh my god. You have to try it!”

Without thinking, she scooped up a spoonful and held it out for him, expecting for him to take her spoon from her hand and try it.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian gave her a curious look as she offered him the spoon.
Was she feeling this too? No, she can't be, she was very clear earlier. But something has happening here, he could sense it.

Not wanting to leave her hanging, he sat forward and took the spoonful into his mouth. Oh fuck, now she's spoon feeding him. Thank all the gods they were at the private table. Anyone else would be convinced they were on a date.

'Wow that is good'.

He took a spoon of the tiramisu, offering it in return, since this is what they were doing now.

'Your turn now', smiling.

 

[Poprockz]

Oh God, he hadn’t taken the spoon, he had assumed she wanted to feed him! A flush of embarrassment went through her as took the dessert from the spoon with his mouth. His lips had briefly wrapped around it and she knew his tongue had been on the underside. Now she was going to have to eat from that same spoon.

She didn’t have any aversion to germs or anything, but it felt a bit too intimate to be eating from the same utensil.

And now as he said, it was her turn. Should she take the spoon from his hand or eat it from the source like he had? Ultimately, she decided to follow his example. After all, she didn’t want him to feel weird about eating from her own spoon.

Olivia leaned forward and took it into her mouth, her lips sliding on the smooth metal as she pulled off of it. Though not intentional, it also had the side-effect of showing him a bit of her cleavage. Her eyes widened slightly at the taste and she swallowed, “I might have a new favorite dessert!”

 

[Mr_Positive]

It took everything in Adrian not to stare at Olivia’s cleavage, though he did steal a glance when she was taking the spoon into her mouth.

My god, they are perfect. Beautifully wrapped in her blue dress, he got a good sense of their size and firmness. Stop it!

‘So glad you like it’, trying to play off his flushed feel. What is this girl doing to him?

 

[Poprockz]

“Haha, yeah,” she chuckled awkwardly, taking another bite of her own dessert. Olivia was trying very hard not to think about the way his mouth had caressed the spoon that was currently between her own lips.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Calm the fuck down Adrian, she is not into you that way. This is just a new friend.

His mind was a mess, but he somehow kept it together externally. He watched every little movement she made, all very delicate and beautiful.

Get it together!

 

[Poprockz]

She continued to eat her dessert, trying to make light conversation as she did so. Subjects such as what he thought of the recent class, how his grades were doing, when his next track meet was, etc. Anything to distract her from what felt like a bit of awkward tension between them.

 

[Mr_Positive]

They finished their desserts, both now a bit uncomfortably full.

‘I am never disappointed here. And thank you for your company tonight. I have really enjoyed it’.

He paid the bill, and motioned for them to depart. Outside, they stood together. Unsure what to say next, ‘Can I walk you home?’

 

[Poprockz]

She had been given a little baggie for her leftovers, which she fully intended to scarf down tomorrow.

His offer was met with an appreciative shake of the head, “I’m grateful for the offer, but it’s a bit far for you to have to walk with me. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I have mace and a taser if anybody feels like getting weird with me.”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian felt a little disappointed at her refusal, but obviously respected her decision.

‘You sure? I could use the walk after all that food!, giving her a small laugh.

 

[Poprockz]

His second offer made her hesitate. Truth be told, she didn’t like walking alone in the dark, though she put on a brave face. And… part of her didn’t want the night to end yet. It had been really fun just chatting, eating, and bonding with him.

“Well, when you put it that way, how could I refuse?” Olivia replied, secretly very pleased to have him with her. “You’re a really great guy, you know that?”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Her words were music to his ears. It sounded like she saw him for who he truly was, beyond the campus celebrity.

‘Thanks, you’re pretty great too. I’m glad I got to see the real you tonight. I know you put up a wall to most, so I am honoured you lowered the guard for me’.

They began walking, Adrian following her lead. He stole glances at her. Her blue dress really showed off her amazing figure, which she usually kept hidden under those baggy clothes. Her face was cute as hell, but her personality was her best trait.

 

[Poprockz]

“Ah yes, the real me: a potty-mouthed cynic who might end up being pasta slut for the chef at a particular Italian restaurant,” she laughed and bumped his shoulder lightly in a playful manner. “We’ll see how long it takes you to run for the hills, but until then, I’m not going anywhere. Well, I don’t plan to anyway.”

Adrian was an interesting guy. He was clever and funny, and he had his own insecurities that he wasn’t ashamed to admit. He was very down to earth, and best of all, he seemed genuinely kind. His parents had done a really good job raising him.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian laughed at her self-description,’I much prefer that than some fake version that has been cleansed of all authenticity. That is how real connections are made’.

He playfully nudged her back, her creamy skin feeling so soft.

 

[Poprockz]

She shrugged, “I suppose you’re right.”

They continued their moonlit walk until they ended up at a dingy apartment building. Olivia walked up the stairs with him until they reached apartment 12- her apartment. She fiddled with her keys and looked up at him, not quite sure whether she should give him a handshake or a hug or something.

“This is me,” she said with a hesitant smile, “do we uh, do we hug now? Are you a hugger?”

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian’s eye got a concerned look when he saw the apartment building, but kept his thoughts to himself. They ascended the stairs together until they reached her door.

Smiling at her question,‘I’m a hugger for those who matter’, reaching his arms around her shoulders and embracing her.

 

[Poprockz]

His body felt warm against her own, and it was the first time in a long time that she had been hugged with affection like this. Her arms hesitated before wrapping around him. It was unclear why, and it scared her, but she definitely felt a connection with him.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Their hug went beyond a normal friendly hug, but neither of them seemed to care. The connection was real, that was for sure. But would they both recognise it for what it truly was?

Adrian reluctantly broke the hug,’I better let you go inside’, said with a smile. ‘But I’d love to do this again’.

He desperately hoped he wasn’t reading this all wrong - he had been wrong once before.

 

[Poprockz]

“I would too- I had a really fun time with you.” Her hands lingered on his arms before she let go of him, hoping that he hadn’t noticed.

She then unlocked her door and smiled at him over her shoulder. “Goodnight Adrian. I’ll see you in class, but text me to let me know you got home safe, okay?” With that, she went inside and sighed, wondering why she felt an unfamiliar warmth in her chest.

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian couldn’t help but noticed her lingering hands, almost burning through his skin with their warmth.

‘Goodnight Olivia, and sure I’ll text you’.

After watching her walk into her apartment, he let out a big sigh. What is it about this girl?

He walked home, almost in a daze. But he needed the fresh air to clear his head and collect his thoughts. Olivia was amazing, he concluded. Despite her past and her struggles, she really seemed to have built herself into a strong, resilient woman and he could only admire that. But there was one big question - did she feel the same?

 

[Poprockz]

She didn’t fall asleep until she got the text from him, a smile on her lips as she drifted off. Olivia had a dream about him that night. They were on an island in the middle of the ocean, both laying under a large tree in the green grass on a picnic blanket. They chatted and laughed, and at one point he rolled over until he was leaning over her. He looked at her with those handsome green eyes of his with and put his hand on her cheek. She felt him getting closer and closer until-

Her phone alarm went off.

Olivia groaned and turned it off, feeling slightly embarrassed about the dream. Did she just dream about him?! What was going on?!

 

[Mr_Positive]

Adrian texted Olivia the moment he walked through his dorm door. He saw she read it, satisfied she knew he was home.

He got into bed, but he couldn’t drift off at his normal rate. His mind was full - he needed to be careful, he thought on one hand. On the other, he wanted to throw caution to the wind.

This girl is like a drug.

 

[Poprockz]

It started with a text: "Hey. Are you in Sommersville?"

She had asked who it was, but the sinking feeling in her stomach told her exactly who had contacted her and she was right. It was her parents. They tried to call her of course, but she didn't answer. Even though she didn't reply, the texts became more and more demanding until they told her that she had better answer or she'd regret it. Olivia had to hold firm, resisting the urge to give in and text them back. However, later that Saturday, she received a 48-hour eviction notice.

Olivia was in shock, and all of Sunday was spent trying to reach the landlord with no success. By the time Monday rolled around, she had to quickly pack her things and get out. She ended up on the sidewalk near her apartment with two large luggage bags, several boxes, and a couple trash bags of stuff. It didn't seem real. She couldn't fathom how this was happening again after she had just found a place that seemed like it might suit her. She had found a friend that she wanted to get to know more. Now she would probably have to move cities. Even if she could stay at the shelter until the term was up, it still meant she would be saying goodbye to this college, the soup kitchen, and Adrian.

Sitting down on the sidewalk, she simply stared at the road for a while before she started crying. She just didn't know what to do and was so soul-crushingly disappointed at how things had turned out. Her head was in her hands as her shoulders softly shook with sobs.