Monday Morning,
At Greenwood Academy,
In the Gym
The students from Nikki's grade had gym class and all classes from Class A to Class D are expected to have a combined class.
The girls are seated at the side lines on the bench watching the boys on the court play basketball. Class A and Class D against Class B and Class C. Class A and D are currently winning with a ten-point lead.
The girls are cheering for their respective classes. The only girl that wasn't cheering was none other than Nikki.
She was focused on the game on court, or rather on someone on the court. Ever since the game started, her eyes had only been on one person and she had never taken her eyes off him. Her eyes were on Alan, following his every move.
After her conversation with Ryder, she decided to fall in love with Alan. But the problem was that she didn't know how to fall in love. She spent her whole weekend on the internet trying to figure how to fall in love with someone.
After a whole day of research, she still didn't understand anything about romantic love so she decided to ask Alan.
But how was she going to do that. Knowing Alan, he was probably going to tease her and laugh at her till he was satisfied.
Then he would use her desperation to take advantage of her and she didn't want that. Then she came up with an even more ridiculous idea; make a move on him in public where he couldn't dare bully her. Yes, that's what she was going to do.
She smirks as she rises to her feet. She pulls off the band tying her hair up and lets her hair down. She runs her hand through her hair and walks down the stairs heading to the court.
Amber who was sitting beside Nikki was shocked by Nikki's actions. Ever since Ryder brought her back home that day, she had been acting strange. She spent a whole day in her room going through the internet which was so unusual of Nikki.
Even this morning she had been acting weird too. She was looking for someone and was peeping through the windows. Even now she was way too focus on the game in front of them. She felt like she was looking at a different person.
What was she up to?
The girls saw Nikki walking down towards the court and wondered what was going on.
"Why is she going down there?"
"Maybe the teacher gave her a task to do".
"Yeah that's possible".
"Guys look Class B and Class C have closed the gap. They're just a point behind".
"Oh my god. How did they get back so quickly?"
The girls ignore Nikki and put their focus back on the match.
"That boy from Class B is the one", a girl replied pointing at Alan.
"Oh my! It's that cute boy".
"I heard he's dating someone in Class A".
"Do you think his girlfriend will be upset with him for causing her class to lose?"
"Of course not. Any girl in her right mind will be happy her boyfriend won".
"Who's his girlfriend anyway?"
"It's Nikki", a girl chimed in.
"Nikki as in that beauty in Class A?"
"Yeah isn't that her there?" The girl pointed at Nikki who was already standing at the side-lines.
"Do you think she went to meet him?"
"Let's keep watching the game and see what happens next". The girls go back to watching the game.
The gym was electric with the sound of squeaking sneakers and the roar of the crowd. Sweat glistened on the players' faces as the game clock ticked down. Class A and D were trailing by one point, and the tension was palpable.
Class A and D were on a counter which Class B and C defended beautifully.
Suddenly, the ball was passed to Alan. He caught it with a sharp, determined look in his eyes. His teammates and the crowd held their breath, knowing that something special was about to happen.
Alan dribbled down the court with a speed and finesse that left his opponents scrambling to keep up. His eyes scanned the court, calculating his next move. With a quick feint to the left, he drove past his defender, slicing through the defence like a hot knife through butter. He approached the basket and executed a flawless layup, the ball kissing the backboard before dropping through the net.
The crowd erupted, but Alan was far from done. As he sprinted back on defence, he intercepted a sloppy pass from the opposing team, seizing the opportunity for a counterattack. He dribbled back up the court, his movements a blur of precision and agility. One of the opposing players, a tall and imposing figure, stepped up to challenge him.
Alan's eyes narrowed. He executed a series of lightning-fast crossovers, his feet a blur. The defender's balance wavered, and with a final, devastating crossover, Alan sent him stumbling to the floor. The crowd gasped, then roared in approval. It was an ankle breaker of epic proportions.
With his defender down, Alan didn't hesitate. He stepped back to the three-point line, his movements smooth and confident. As he rose for the shot, time seemed to slow. The ball left his fingertips with a perfect arc, spinning gracefully through the air.
He held his follow-through, his form immaculate and his expression cool and composed. The ball swished through the net with a satisfying snap, and the gym exploded in cheers. Alan turned to his teammates with a grin, his swagger undeniable.
The scoreboard reflected the change, and the momentum had shifted. The buzzer rang to signify the end of the quarter. The game was over.
His team mates all rushed him, celebrating their win.
Nikki steps into the court and walks towards Alan. She took a deep breath, feeling the air fill her lungs.
"Alan!" She called out.
He turns towards the voice and sees her. "Nikki?"
She grabs him by his collar and pushes him towards the net stand till his back hits it.
The students in the room gasp as some girls cheered on while the boys watch with ashen expression on their faces.
"Nikki", Alan called. He was wondering what had suddenly caused her to pin him in front of so many people.
Her heart was racing, and she could feel a slight tremor in her hands. She clenched them into fists, trying to steady herself. This was it. She had to do it now, or she might never get the chance again.
She uses her fingers to trace the shape of his lips, "What would kissing you feel like? What would your lips taste like?" She had an innocent and curious expression on her face.
"Nikki?"
"Well screw it. I'll just find out for myself". She leaned closer and pressed her lips on his.
She could feel was the warmth of his lips, the softness of his skin, and the rapid beating of her own heart.
Alan froze for a split second, his mind racing to catch up with what was happening. Nikki was kissing him. The initial shock quickly melted away, replaced by a rush of emotions he had kept buried for so long.
He could feel the warmth of her lips, the softness that made his heart skip a beat. He kissed her a while longer before realizing they still had company.
He regained his composure and pulled her away. "What are you doing Nikki? Everyone is looking at us".
She frowned, "Why did you stop kissing me huh? I was just getting started".
His lips curl up, "You're a bad kisser Nikki".
"You're a bully Alan".
"What do you want from me Nikki?"
She looks up at him and stares into his eyes. "I want to love you Alan. Make me fall in love with you. I want you to be my addiction. I want to be addicted to you. Will you grant my selfish request?"
Her eyes. He was locked in her eyes. It was so hard to resist her right now. The way she was looking at him made him feel like he was going to lose his mind if he kept looking at her.
"Do you have a fever?" He asked as he places the back of his hand on her forehead, using the opportunity to look away from her.
"No, I'm perfectly fine", she smiled. "Now answer my question. Will you be my addiction? I promise to put you first before my precious desserts", she patted her chest confidently before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I'm really flattered Nikki but I'll have to break your poor heart. I'm not into underage girls", he smiled. He was intending to provoke her.
She bawled her hands into fists and hit his chest. "How dare you call me underage? I'll have you know I'm a beautiful, charming, young lady".
He chuckled, "If people see us together, they'll think you're my younger sister. If I tell them you're my girlfriend, they'll assume I have a special taste".
"It's not my fault that I'm short or that I have a cute childish face. I know I'm very cute but I promise I have a mature seductive look too. I promise to always look mature and cute when we go on dates. I'll also grow taller if that's what you want. I'm willing to learn how to be a good kisser too. You won't regret being loved by me. I'm smart, pretty and rich. I'm the ultimate catch. All the boys will be jealous of you. It's an amazing offer you're about to give up".
She pouted her lips in annoyance. 'Am I not charming enough?'
Alan smiled at the girl in front of him. He looked so calm and composed but truth is he was laughing so hard inside. This girl was really something else. She was selling herself and the same time acting like she was doing him a favour by being with him.
He looks around the gym and sees all eyes were on them. But there were a pair of eyes that stood out. It had the aura of death, like the individual they belonged to was going to kill him. He traced the gaze and found it belonged to Amber.
'Obviously she's the only one who would want to kill me'.
Amber had a cold expression in her eyes that said, "Start calling your loved ones and say your last words".
Alan stared at her for a while before returning his gaze to Nikki. No matter what he says Amber wouldn't believe him at all.
He was drawn back from his thoughts by the fists hitting his chest. Nikki was attacking him. She looked so cute like a wild aggressive cat who was being bullied.
"Jerk! I'm offering myself to you and you still don't want me. Don't tell me you're upset because I didn't say anything about letting you have sex with me. You're such a pervert!" Nikki raised her voice.
Everyone gasps and turn to look at Alan.
Alan felt the stare from Amber became colder. 'Stupid girl why did you choose to say that out loud. How am I going to explain this?' He could feel all the judgy eyes all over him waiting for his explanation.
He exhales and then scoops Nikki into a bridal style. His hands are under her legs which were dangling in the air and his other hand supporting her back. She snuggles closer to his chest and buries her head there with her hands tightly wrapped around his neck.
'I am going to make you pay me back for this'.
Nikki smiled at him as if she read his thoughts.
"Miss Ava I sincerely apologize for Nikki's inappropriate behaviours. She came down with a cold last night. The medicine she took made her a bit drowsy so she's really not thinking straight right now. I'll have to take her to the infirmary. Her fever has gotten worse. Once again, I apologize", he bowed.
"It's okay Alan. Please make sure she gets there safely. You both don't need to come back to class", Miss Ava replied.
"Thank you Miss Ava", he smiled as he walks towards the door. As he passed Miss Ava, he said, "Tell my mom about this and I'll kill you". After he said that he walked out of the gym.
Miss Ava felt a chill down her spine and her heart stop. 'Gosh he's already so scary at a young age'.
"Does that mean they're dating?"
"Of course not. He said she was saying rubbish she didn't actually mean".
"If they aren't together, how did he know she caught a cold last night".
"That's true. That means they are together".
"That's enough! Let's continue with the activities. Girls it's your turn", Miss Ava quickly put a stop to any further gossip.
In the infirmary
Alan walks into the room with Nikki still in his arms and meets the nurse in charge.
"Lily I need the room". He didn't wait for her to respond as he walked forward and drops Nikki gently on the bed.
"Wow you brought a girl along this time", Lily smiled.
He grabs a stool and sits beside Nikki. "You can leave now. I'll call you if I need you".
Lily frowned and crossed her arms, "Do you always have to break my little heart every time?"
"Leave now or I'll break your limbs", he warned.
"Fine I'll get going. I won't ruin your romantic moment. Always coming to my office to oppress me", she complained as she walks out of the room, the door closing behind her.
"Alan you still haven't answered me. Okay I promise I'll let you sleep with me", she smiled. Her eyes were still closed.
Alan reached out for her lips and pinched them. "This mouth of yours will get you into huge trouble one day".
"Alan you don't have to use too much force to kiss me. Gosh you have no self-control".
He rubbed his temples trying to control himself. "Nikki did you take anything that messed with your head?"
"Huh uh", she replied coquettishly. She raised her hand in the air to reach out for his face, "Do you want to know what it is?"
"Yes".
"Come closer".
"Don't play any tricks with me". He leaned closer as she grabs his face.
She smiled sheepishly, "Shuu... don't tell anyone it's a secret. I took a lot of ice cream".
"Ice cream?"
Nikki had told him one time that she loved ice cream but she couldn't eat it every time. She said she could only eat in a small quantity. If she consumed too much, she would end up like a drunk person. To her, ice cream was her alcohol.
He didn't believe her at that time and thought she was just messing with him. But seeing her right now, a part of him was convinced.
"Don't tell anyone okay, especially Amber. She'll kill me if she finds out. This is our first secret as a couple so you have to keep it". She brings his face closer to hers and kisses the corner of his lips.
He removed her hands from his face and places them down, "Who said anything about being a couple with you?"
"Alan you jerk! How could you?! You took advantage of me and stole my first kiss. Now you don't want to take responsibility. I didn't expect you to be a scoundrel!"
'Who took advantage of who exactly?'
If anyone walked in and overheard her, they would assume he was the bad guy. She was the one who kissed him and yet she was accusing him of taking advantage of her.
"I'll go call Amber to come take you home before you do anything stupid". He rises to his feet and was about to leave when he felt something holding onto his leg.
He turns back and sees Nikki clinging to his leg. She was fully awake now. Her eyes were opened.
"Please don't let Amber see me like this. If she sees me, she'll scold me to my ears bleed. I don't want her to scold me. She's not my boyfriend and yet she keeps nagging all the time. The only person allowed to scold me is you". After saying the last sentence, she smiled at him.
"If you don't behave properly, I'll call Amber".
She lets go of his leg and stood straight, "I promise I'll behave properly. Don't send me to the lion's den".
He sighed, "Fine let's go". There was no way he was going to get rid of her that easily.
"Huh where are we going?" She looked at him with a confused expression on her face.
"If we don't leave the school premises, Amber is still going to find you no matter how well I hide you", he explained.
'When she's not thinking, she's really dumb'.
"Why does that bitch take her job so seriously? Gosh one of these days I'm going to let her go. I can't breathe freely with her around". She turns and looks at Alan with pitiful eyes, "Alan you have to protect me from her okay. You have to make sure she doesn't find me okay".
'This girl keep getting bolder with each move'.
He looks away, "Let's get going".
"Okay", she grabs his hand and interlocks hers in his.
'Help me that I don't lose my mind because of this girl'.
He walks out with Nikki skipping in front of him like a little girl.
At the car park, Alan and Nikki enter a black
A man is seated on the driver seat. He glances at Alan and Nikki through the mirror.
"Good day Master Alan. Will the young Miss be accompanying you?"
"Yes, we'll be heading to the mansion first".
"What about your appointment Master Alan?" The driver asked.
"I'll go after I drop her at home. You can start driving now".
The driver starts the car and drives off.
After gym class, Amber goes looking for Nikki in the infirmary but Lily tells her that Nikki already took a leave from school because she wasn't feeling too good.
Amber take a leave of absence from their home room teacher and heads to the Sawyer mansion to take care of Nikki.