The Kissing Contract

Chapter two

From: Jellyellie33@yahoo.co.uk

To: GabiLincon@hotmail.com

Subject: HELLO FROM HOME

Hey Gabi,

WOW NYC sounds amazing. I'm so happy for you- congrats on the modelling work.

England's good too, actually very good in fact. I spent way too much money last week on college clothes with Tia and Lee's been round a lot too. I don't really see Nate much but then again, like you said, we never really associated anyway.

I can't believe how many friends you've made! I'm hoping to make some too this year though I've only ever needed Lee and Tia.

It's such a shame you're not here to share the last year of college with me but oh well, you needed a new start where no one knew you.

How are your dad and his new girlfriend? How are you coping? Is she as bitchy now as she was before? Do you still hate her?

See you soon,

Elle :))

-*-

"Ugh, you know, this film is so crap. Percy doesn't do any of that in the book; and Annabeth? She's blonde," I sigh, flopping down next to Lee with a bowl of popcorn.

"Shut up Cupcake, I like it," he mumbles through a mouthful of food. I cringe away from him as he chomps loudly in my ear but he pulls me back into his arms to snuggle. I roll my eyes and throw some popcorn at the TV.

"No, don't go in there you little s**t! This is wrong...so so wrong Lee!" I shout, tossing more food at Annabeth's face. Lee pushes his hand down on top of mine to prevent any more popcorn being wasted on the floor- to be honest, no matter what it is or where it is, Lee will eat it.

He's disgusting.

"Look Elle, just watch the damn film instead of talking through it. You do this every time we watch it, why torment yourself?" he asks, shovelling more food into his mouth. I try not to throw up as he turns to me with his mouth wide open, exposing his chewed up food.

"Logan's too hot to deny." I swivel on the sofa and send a wink in Lee's direction. He merely smirks in response, pulling me into his warm arms once again.

"That is very true. Though I must say, he's not quite as hot as me," Lee pulls away to gesture at his body, rolling his hips as he does so. I laugh and roll my eyes, pushing him away when he leans into me.

"Sure, whatever you say."

Lee gasps, holding a hand to his heart as if I have wounded him deeply and wipes an imaginary tear away. "Cupcake, do you not think I'm one fine specimen?"

I pause for a second. "Ugh, you're OK."

He gasps again, leaning into me until we are inches apart. I roll my eyes at his antics once again, though this time my heart is hammering in my chest. "You sure about that, jelly Ellie?" he whispers, leaning in even closer to me. I gulp heavily and try to wipe my clammy hands on my jeans; Lee holds them in his.

Then, just before he's about to close the gap, Lee bursts out laughing and pulls away from me; I exhale a shaky breath and scowl at him. "Oh," he gasps through his heavy breaths, "you should've seen your face!"

I slap him lightly on his chest and roll my eyes; my heart is still pounding in my chest. "Very funny Lee," I mutter sarcastically.

Sarcasm is my only friend in this cruel, cruel world.

"Where's your mum?" Lee asks, glancing around the room as if she'll magically pop out of our TV stand.

I shrug, "I don't know, why?"

My best friend motions to the empty bowl between us. "I'm hungry and there's no food left."

My eyes roll instinctively, and I find myself resisting the urge to slap Lee across the face. Hard. "She's not a slave."

Its Lee's turn to roll his eyes. "I know. I just really love her nachos."

I push Lee off the sofa with a laugh and toss the plastic bowl in his direction. "Off you go. There are Doritos and dip in the kitchen."

He sighs in an over-exaggerated manner and crosses his arms over his chest like a spoilt child. "I don't want to," he mumbles but gets up from the floor anyway. "You know, you could try being a bit more sympathetic."

I stifle a laugh and turn to my best friend with a raised brow. "Its not my fault you're a lazy ass who can't even walk to the fridge."

Who am I kidding?

I can't walk to the fridge for food.

I'm such a hypocrite.

With a huff, he disappears from the room and comes back a moment later with a new bowl of food and a can of drink for me. He hands it to me with a scowl pulled across his handsome features, "There you go you annoying little child."

I throw him an over-exaggerated smile to aggravate him more. "Thanks Darling." I punctuate the line with a wink and-even though he tries not to- Lee's smirk slips through his frown. Satisfaction swipes over my face causing him to roll his eyes; Lee plays the film once more and we watch it in silence until the last of Percy's lines are summed up.

"Elle," Lee starts, his tone wary and unsure. I turn to face him slowly, not wanting to part with my beloved Logan. "I've been speaking to Nate."

Here it is. The massive blow. Nate hates me because I didn't want to hide away with him and now he's told Lee. My best friend is going to kill his brother and I'll have to bury him in the back garden and tell his mum that he went to live in Mexico because—

"And he said that Gabi was chatting s**t about you to him. She's been chatting s**t about you to everyone actually."

An inaudible sigh escapes my lips before the full effect of Lee's words dawn on me.

What has she done?