MALIK'S POV
"It's not like you can do anything in this state...just worry about yourself."
Her words rang through my mind like gunshots.
The group had all fanned out to their positions, leaving me in the getaway car...riding shotgun. my role is the lookout, I'm to let Maurie know once the van passes my street and then I'm useless again.
I can't live like this.
Her image flashed through my mind. The pink dress she wore clung to her curves needily... this had to be the first time I'd been envious of a piece of fabric.
Madonna...
Since the first day I saw her, I'd felt something stir from deep within me.
My interest in her was piqued the first time I saw her use a gun. Her calmness and focus, made me wonder just how damaged she really was. A little girl with a baby in one hand and a gun in the other, shooting tirelessly at the training dummy with an odd fixation on its head.
Even then, Audrey was always there. Watching her and sharing her excitement when she landed a hit on the head. Audrey and Alex were the only humans she recognised for years... yet, every day I'd set eyes on her, my feelings grew tenfold.
No man gets to her. The only male figure in her life is Audrey... always Audrey...
Until now.
*Static noises*
"Rider can you hear me? Is everything okay?"
"Yes Polka, the van isn't here yet"
"Right, seems like they're on to us, the signals around your location are jamming...I have eyes on van... It changed route through 5th Street."
"Kay"
I stuck out my good hand just enough for the sun to reflect on my watch, I twisted my wrist from side to side 5 times then brought my hand back in.
"The twins have made the switch"
"Kay"
"I've asked Kim to join them so...uh.. uhm... please just hang on, Chris'll come get you shortly"
"Kay"
"I'm sorry about this Malik"
"Kay"
I turned off my earpods and got out of the car. By reflex, I stretched my arms... It felt like a thousand needles were forcefully jabbed into them. Slowly, I put my arms down, quietly gulping down the pain.
Once the pain subsided, I took in my surroundings.
An average alley way. Corners of high building, a one way road and small side walks. The area I stood in was pretty empty and somewhat dark due to all the shade the buildings provided.
I got a whiff of a faint smell of popcorn ahead and my stomach growled. Smirking to myself, I felt my pockets. My fingers caught on to a solid leathery shape.
Satisfied, I proceeded towards the scent.
The more I walked, the brighter the alley got, as did the sweet scent of popcorn.
I'd nearly been a foot out of the shade when I heard it. Her voice.
"You're being silly!"
Madonna...
"Come here Chocolate, don't make me catch you".
Her skin shone like bronze beneath the sun, the pink dress compliment her beautiful figure. Her smile is wide, matching her eyes in a way I've never seen before, in a way she's never looked at me, maybe Audrey, but not me.
"Chocolate... If I catch you, you'll be the one explaining to his Highness why we're half an hour late"
"What?...silly we're just 5 minutes away from the school"
"I know"
Her face morphed into the cutest embarrassed face I've ever seen her wear. Another thing I'd never see if it weren't for him.
That fucking bastard!
My blood ran hot as I watched him smile smugly at her. He opened his arms out to her grinning, Asif he expected her to just run into his arms.
Fucking bastard!
I can't take this anymore-
"Nick comon, if we keep doing this everywhere, Audrey will get suspicious... and I'll...get addicted" Donna whined while trying not to look at his open arms like it was a major temptation.
Knots formed in my stomach and the air felt too thick to breathe in.
The image of her this morning flashed through my brain and for the first time since my standing in the shadows... I saw it... the difference.
"Chocolate..." He cooed.
With a gust of wind, she rushed toward him.
Her hair once tied up with a ribbon, fluttered freely against the wind. Her lipstick, completely cleaned off.
Right before she crashed, I noticed traces of pink paint on his half-exposed chest and black shirt collar.
`Their hairs were disheveled, but it wasn't hard to guess why.
She crashed into him, pulling his face down to hers, and kissed him.
Anyone with eyes could see what she felt, the bastard could too... He already knew, that too was clear, he couldn't waste a second before grabbing her hair and waist, deepening their kiss.
I couldn't find the words to stop them, even though I desperately want to. But, with each pleasure-filled moan that escaped her lips, I felt something in me wither away...
"It's not like you can do anything in this state...just worry about yourself."
My head began to spin and my vision seemed to blur.
Against my desires, I quietly turned my back to them and walked down the path I'd come, small streams of water leaked from my eyes and the sweet smell of popcorn... didn't smell so sweet anymore.
…....
"I'm not sure my parents will let me go, I don't even have a suit"
"Me too"
"Me three"
Kevin, Terry and Bruce turned to look at the others. The group had gathered in the empty cafeteria during their free period, with Eve and Audrey sitting as the only pair, the rest of the boys sat across them with somewhat disapproving gazes as they discussed Conner's party invitation.
"Are kids even allowed to such things? I've only ever heard of the big business people going to this kind of event" Bruce asked as he stretched his hands across the table.
"I guess you're right...but you two will be attending right?" Conner asked.
"Mhmm" Eve answered without sparing him a glance as she lifted a cracker to Audrey's mouth. Audrey bit it out of her hand and munched, sending Conner a questioning gaze.
"For some reason, you sound like you're referring to me as well" Audrey said after swallowing. Eve quickly cleaned off the crumbs on his face with her pink hanky, completely ignoring the baffled stares the other boys were sending her.
"I think she's finally lost it" Kevin said under his breath, his eyes watching Eve as she took out another cracker and fed it to Audrey who sat with his arms crossed, one foot on the seat and the other on the ground. His face seemed completely unbothered as he stared back at Terry.
"Don't make her mad" Audrey said coldly with his eyes shut, turning his neck towards Conner, he peaked an eye open. "Why do you think I've got a time to be there? I'm not even from a prestigious family" Audrey deadpanned.
Eve frowned "So what? You'll be with my family and we love you anyway". "Right...I'm not exactly looking to climb up the social ladder so I'll think pass on this one blondie" Audrey replied feigning an apologetic smile.
"Nuh uh! I'm telling your big sis and then you'll definitely have to come! Conner, don't worry, we're all going! Or my name isn't Evelyn Watson!" Eve spat in annoyance.
Audrey grimaced while the other giggled at him as Eve stared him down with a serious expression. Audrey blinked at her, letting out a breath as he ran a hand through his hair... "Evie...more crackers please" he said with his eyes closed.
Eve's face instantly morphed into a pleased expression as she fetched out another cracker and gently placed it on his parted lips. She watched him chew quietly with his eyes still closed, seemingly forgetting everyone else despite having 4 pairs of eyes boring into her from across the table. To her, Audrey looked incredibly handsome, his hair tousled wildly due to his habit of running his hands through them, the single open button on his shirt that made him seem a little roughish, his somewhat long dark lashes that stood out against his fair skin. Even the crumbs left on his face seemed perfect, she didn't think anything could make him less handsome, atleast not to her..
His hand reached up to her cheek causing them to burn red instantly. His calm face quickly morphed into one filled with worry. Without warning, Audrey closed the gap between them causing Eve's eyes to grow wide.
.
.
.
.
"You're not having a fever, so why are you turning red again?" Audrey asked as he moved his head away from hers, examining her features with his eyes intently. Eve's heart began to race a mile per second as Audrey's hands reached for her head, seconds before his fingers touched her hair, the school bell rang signalling the end of school hours. Audrey's hands dove down and latched on to Eve's, "Com'on! my sis'll be here any second!" Audrey yelled excitedly, worry completely washed off his demeanor.
Within seconds, the cafeteria was emptied, with only a half eaten biscuit packet and crumbs left on a table.