LOVE INTEREST
1440 Words
Charlotte’s POV
Jace comes in with a tray stacked with snacks. There’s Cheetos, Doritos, Pringles, and loads and loads of cheese.
“Woah, that’s a lot of junk!” I exclaim.
“Well, I figured we’d need a lot of sugary snacks and energy,” Jace replies quite nonchalantly, if I may add—and that is so freaking hot.
I mumble out an “Okay” and bow my head to hide my red cheeks, the way my own body betrays me. Sigh.
“Anyway, let’s get started,” he says, and we focus on the task at hand.
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Three hours later…
“…and that is why speed and velocity are alike but not the same,” I say, half-yawning.
“You must be tired,” Jace says sympathetically. “The sun has already gone down. It’s getting late—let me drop you at your house.”
“No, it’s fine,” I hurriedly reply. I can’t risk being in that car with him again. Who knows what my body would do next?
“The sun is down and the streetlights are on. There is no way I’m letting you go home alone,” he says as he looks down at me. “It’s too dangerous.”
“Ha-ha, one might think you really care about me with the way you’re going on,” I say. At this point, I think my brain disconnected from my mouth and is just freestyling.
He doesn’t reply. He just stares at me with those beautiful grey eyes.
I have to shake myself away from their allure.
“Oo-kay then, let’s get going,” I say before things get any more awkward.
Jace leads me down the stairs, and I can’t help but marvel at the majestic beauty he calls home.
“Um, Jace? I hope I’m not being too forward, but what about your parents? I mean, you do have parents, right?” And off my curious mouth goes.
He casually rubs the back of his neck. “Yes, before you freak out, I have parents. They’re just not around.”
“Oh, okay then,” I reply.
We walk in silence to his car and spend the 45-minute drive blanketed in total silence. I’m low-key glad about it because my body doesn’t get a chance to betray me by blushing—though I wouldn’t mind the extra time with him.
He pulls up at the one-storey house with lilac walls where I live with my mum. Speaking of my mum, she’s currently staring at Jace dropping me off with that glint in her eyes. She’s been nagging me about having a boyfriend. I know she thinks I’m avoiding male interaction because of my sperm donor.
But that’s not the case at all. I definitely don’t hate this male I’m interacting with. In fact, I think I’m enjoying it a little too much. Hehehe.
Jace drops me at my front door. We bid our farewells, and he makes sure I get inside before driving off.
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“Ooh, does someone have a boyfriend?” I hear my mum say from the couch.
“Pfft, no. That’s Jace. He’s the most popular guy in school, so scratch that dating thing,” I snort.
“So why is he driving you home at this time and making sure you get to the door?” she asks.
“I’m tutoring him for Physics for a month, and we’re alternating houses,” I shrug, not wanting to let on about my crush.
“Oh well, who knows? From tutoring, sparks could fly,” she says with that sly smirk still on her face.
My face turns as red as a tomato. “MOM! Stop. There’s really nothing between us—or even hope of anything. Have you seen him? He’s gorgeous.”
“Ohhh, I now see,” she says, stroking her chin like Master Oogway in Kung Fu Panda. “Someone’s got a crush on our Physics boy.”
I need to change the topic—fast.
“That aside, why are you back so early?” I ask.
“Oh, Benedict just went through a breakup and offered to cover tonight’s shift to distract himself, so here I am,” she replies nonchalantly.
“That’s great! We could have ice cream and watch a movie. I really miss you, Mum.”
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about your crush, but okay. I’ll arrange the couch and you get the snacks,” she replies.
And the rest of the night is spent watching cheesy romance movies…
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Days pass by in a blur, and before I know it, Wednesday arrives.
“Sighhh, today Jace is coming over to my house. I’ve already cleaned the whole house twice. I’m so tired,” I moan as Flo and I walk through the hallway.
“I don’t think a day will ever come when I clean my whole house willingly just because of a boy,” Flo laughs.
“Well,” I say, sticking my tongue out at her, “Jace isn’t just any boy. He’s special. He’s wabi-sabi.”
“Yeah, yeah, of course Jace would be special—” Flo is saying when the bell rings loudly, interrupting her.
“Oh well, there goes the bell. I better get to English before Mrs. Blooming gets mad that I’m late—again,” I say, rushing off.
Flo thinks my crush on Jace is just stupid infatuation, but she doesn’t realise that I’m in love with him. Sigh.
Classes fly by, and before I blink, the final bell rings. Joy and trepidation engulf me.
I don’t see Jace in school, so I wait by his car. While I’m waiting, Priscilla and her cronies pass by, obviously looking for him.
She’s so desperate for his attention—it’s disgusting.
“Why are you standing by my Jace’s car?” she demands.
I ignore her.
“Hey, ugly! I’m talking to you! Why are you standing by my boyfriend’s car?!” she screeches.
“Listen up, you airhead—” I start, but Jace finally shows up.
“What’s going on here?” he asks Priscilla harshly. “I thought I told you to stay away from me.”
“J-J-Jace, I just wanted to see you before you left,” Priscilla stammers, trying to look seductive all at once. She looks pathetic.
“Stay away from me, Priscilla. I mean it,” Jace says in a voice I’ve never heard before.
She scrambles away with her minions.
“I’m sorry about Priscilla. She won’t leave me alone. I hope she didn’t disturb you,” he says, batting those beautiful lashes at me.
“N-no, she didn’t,” I say, my cheeks warming.
“L-let’s go,” I add quickly.
As I walk toward the car, he grabs my arm and pulls me to face him. He gently lifts my chin.
His grey eyes with golden flecks search mine.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem shaken,” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s chilly—that’s all,” I say, faking a shiver.
He takes off his jacket and drapes it around me. I’m immediately surrounded by his scent—mint, musk, and spice. Deadly.
“Let’s get going before it gets too late,” I say.
Twenty minutes later, we arrive at my house. Mum’s car isn’t in the driveway.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” I say, opening the door.
“Wow,” Jace says. “Your house is very homely.”
He looks at the photos of Mum and me through the years. “Very familial. I like it.”
“Okay, let’s get started,” I say.
We spend the next two hours on Physics.
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“Hi, honey, I’m home!” Mum calls just as we finish.
“I’m coming!” I yell back.
“My mum’s home. Let’s pack up,” I tell Jace.
We head downstairs.
“Are you alone? Is your love interest with you?” Mum calls from the kitchen.
Then she sees us. “Oh wow, I didn’t know you were actually with someone.”
“Hi, I’m Emily—Charlotte’s mum. You must be Jace. I’ve heard so much about you.”
I’m a flaming tomato.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m Jace. Charlotte’s tutoring me.”
“Okay Mum, time for Jace to go. Byeee,” I say, herding him out.
“Sorry about that. My mum can be a bit much sometimes… same time next week?” I say quickly.
I shut the door and collapse on the couch.
- Writer
