Chapter 5.
1152 Words
Chapter 5
(Skye’s POV)
The morning sun filters through the half-closed blinds, streaking my room with pale gold. I stretch beneath the covers, my mind tangled in the events of last night. I haven’t stopped replaying Levi’s words in my head.
“I want to know everything about you, Skye.”
It wasn’t just the words—it was the way he said them. His voice was low, filled with something raw and unfiltered. I don’t know how to handle that kind of attention from someone like him. Someone who seems untouchable yet is suddenly so close.
A sharp knock at my door snaps me out of my thoughts.
“Skye?” It’s Mom. “You’re going to be late for breakfast.”
“I’m coming!” I call back, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My bare feet touch the cold hardwood floor, sending a shiver up my spine.
I get dressed quickly, opting for a simple pair of jeans and a soft sweater. As I pull my hair into a loose ponytail, I catch my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are still flushed, and my eyes look brighter than usual. I shake my head, trying to dismiss the thought that Levi might have something to do with that.
When I step into the kitchen, the smell of coffee and toasted bread greets me. Mom is by the stove, humming a tune under her breath. David, her new husband, sits at the table, flipping through a newspaper.
And then there’s Levi.
He’s leaning against the counter, a mug in hand, looking effortlessly good in a black T-shirt and jeans. His dark eyes meet mine the moment I walk in, and it feels like the air shifts.
“Morning,” he says, his voice casual, but there’s a flicker of something in his gaze that makes my pulse quicken.
“Morning,” I reply, keeping my tone neutral.
“Skye, can you grab the butter from the fridge?” Mom asks, breaking the moment.
“Sure.” I move to the fridge, feeling Levi’s eyes on me the whole time. I try to ignore it, but it’s like trying to ignore a storm brewing right in front of you.
As I place the butter on the table, Levi sits down, his chair angled slightly toward mine.
“How’d you sleep?” he asks, his tone soft enough that it feels like the question is meant just for me.
I glance at him, unsure how to answer. “Fine, I guess. You?”
“Same.” He smirks, and it’s maddening how effortlessly charming he is.
“Levi, are you driving to school today?” David asks, folding his newspaper.
“Yeah, I’ll take the truck.”
“You can drop Skye off on the way,” Mom chimes in, her voice bright.
My stomach twists. The last thing I need is to be stuck in a car with Levi. But before I can object, he nods.
“Sure,” he says, his tone smooth. “I don’t mind.”
I glance at Mom, hoping she’ll catch the silent plea in my eyes, but she’s already turning back to the stove.
Levi catches my gaze, and the corner of his mouth lifts in a barely-there smile. “Looks like you’re stuck with me,” he says under his breath, low enough that only I can hear.
I don’t reply, choosing instead to focus on my plate.
The ride to school is quiet at first. The hum of the truck’s engine fills the space as I stare out the window, trying to pretend Levi isn’t sitting just inches away.
“So,” he says, breaking the silence, “what’s your deal?”
I frown, turning to look at him. “My deal?”
“Yeah. You’re always so… guarded. What are you hiding?”
“I’m not hiding anything,” I say quickly, though the words feel defensive even to me.
He glances at me, one eyebrow raised. “Really? Because it seems like you’ve got a whole fortress around you.”
I don’t know how to respond to that. He’s not wrong, but admitting it feels like giving him too much power.
“What about you?” I counter, crossing my arms. “You act like nothing bothers you, but I don’t buy it.”
He laughs softly, the sound low and rough. “Touché, Skye. But this isn’t about me.”
I roll my eyes, turning back to the window. “Whatever.”
We fall into silence again, but it’s not exactly comfortable. There’s tension, thick and electric, like we’re both waiting for the other to say something.
As we pull into the school parking lot, Levi leans back in his seat, watching me. “You know, you’re not as invisible as you think you are.”
His words catch me off guard, but before I can ask what he means, he’s already out of the truck.
The day passes in a blur of classes and whispered conversations. I can feel people staring at me more than usual, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why.
“Is it true?” Jenna asks as we sit in the cafeteria.
“Is what true?” I ask, picking at my sandwich.
“That Levi drove you to school. Together.”
I sigh, wishing I could disappear. “It’s not a big deal. My mom asked him to.”
Jenna raises an eyebrow. “Still, people are talking. You know how they are.”
“Let them talk,” I say, though my stomach twists at the thought.
By the time I get home, I’m exhausted. I drop my bag by the door and head to my room, eager for some peace and quiet.
But, of course, Levi has other plans.
There’s a soft knock on my door before it opens slightly. “Skye?”
I sit up on my bed, surprised to see him. “What do you want?”
He steps inside, closing the door behind him. “We need to talk.”
“About what?”
“About this… thing between us.”
My heart races, but I force myself to stay calm. “There’s no ‘thing’ between us, Levi.”
He smirks, taking a step closer. “You keep telling yourself that.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask, my voice quieter now.
“Because I can’t stop thinking about you,” he admits, his tone serious. “And I think you feel the same way.”
I shake my head, but the denial feels weak even to me. “This is wrong, Levi.”
“Maybe,” he says, his gaze intense. “But that doesn’t change how I feel.”
After a long moment, he steps back, his expression unreadable. “I’ll leave you alone, Skye. For now.”
- Writer
