Welcome to New Haven (45 page)

“Did you just call me babe?” She asked.
 
Her heart thrumming in her chest.
 

“Yep.” He said.
 
He placed one hand on her cheek and leaned in…

“Ok everyone, take your seats!” Shouted the teacher as he walked in.
 

“For fuck’s sake!” Alex muttered.
 
He swiped his thumb across her cheek bone and smiled, before he went back to his own seat.

Dev stared at Holly, as did Riss and Kayla.
 

“You. Are. My. Hero!” Said Dev excitedly.
 

“That was amazing!” Said Riss and Kayla together.
 

“Alex was about to kiss you…again!” they whispered.

Holly blew out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding. She lifted her hands and she was shaking. Not from Stacey, but the close proximity of Alex.

He’d held her close to him, again.
 
He’d held her face.
 
He’d almost kissed her.
 
Her heart was still pounding in her chest.
 

“Holly are you ok?” asked the teacher.
 
“You look a little flushed.”
 

Oh no!

“I’m fine.” She said as Alex turned to look at her.
 
He saw her reaction and shot her a smile…and another wink.

Oh my goodness!

If she got any hotter she’d need to leave, or have everybody else, but Alex, leave.
 
She rubbed her face with a hand and took a calming breath.
 

Dev was chuckling and Alex saw her biting her lip to keep herself from laughing out loud. He knew why Holly was reacting that way.
 
He knew the feeling all too well.

“Since it’s party season, well a lot of parties have been happening, the subject today is alcohol!”
 
said the teacher.
 

There were a lot of ‘woo!’ and ‘Yeah!’ comments around the class.
 

“Now, you all know the legal age for alcohol. Buying and consumption, here in the US is twenty one.
 
In most countries, it’s eighteen. In Germany, however, it’s fourteen.
 
In some eastern countries, all alcohol is illegal.
 
Who here thinks that the age limit, for the states should be lowered?”
   

Most of the hands raised.
 

“Any specific reasons?”
 

“Cops can’t bust us at parties?” Said a guy in the middle row.
 
That got him a ‘hell yeah’ and some laughs.
 

“We can get hammered
all
of the time.” Said Stacey with a sickly purr.
 

“Don’t you mean nailed?” Said another guy.
 

“Apparently people need to be
hammered
to
nail
her.” Holly said in a low voice.

Everyone in the class, apart from Stacey, burst out laughing.
 

Including Alex.
 

He turned to look at Holly and laughed again.
 

“You’re just jealous you fucking
wallflower
.” Said Stacey.
 

“Oooooh.” Said the students. Obviously happy that there was going to be more drama.

Alex’s eyes turned hatefully to Stacey.
 

“Oh!” Holly sniffed. “Your words hurt so much!” She said in a mock cry whilst twisting her hands in front of her cheeks, wiping away imaginary tears.
 
The class laughed again, at Stacey’s expense.

“Boring British bitch.” Spat Stacey.
 
“I bet the only
stiff
thing you’ll ever get is your upper lip.”
 

All eyes turned to Holly.
 
She looked at Alex who was exhuming hatred towards Stacey.
 
As soon as he turned to Holly, his expression softened and seemed to be full of…adoration?

“Oh really?
 
Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Holly said menacingly.

“Ok pipe down, people.” Said the teacher.
 
“Let’s carry on with the subject shall we?”
 

As the teacher’s back was turned, Alex send a text to Holly.

A: You’re pretty amazing babe.

H: You’re not too bad yourself…babe.

A: Did you just call me babe? :o

Alex chuckled as he repeated Holly’s question to him.

H: Yes. Yes I did. XD

A: Awesome. :) X

He glanced back…yes, there was the blush.
 
Holly put her hands over her face. Stacey was staring at Alex.
 
He thought he saw something else. Something…unhinged.
 

“You’re mine.” She growled.
 

“Fuck you.” He replied.
 

“With pleasure.” She said with a sly smile as she began to open her legs under her desk.
 
Alex turned away from her before she could go any further.

The teacher carried on talking at the front. Explaining the alcohol and driving ages in the states.
 
He was saying that there were five and a half years between them so ‘technically’ drink driving shouldn’t be an issue.
 
But of course…it is.
 

“In some countries, like England for instance…” He said as he gestured to Holly.
 
The minimum alcohol age is eighteen, and the driving age is seventeen.
 
Only one year difference. I’m not familiar with all of the laws as they have changed somewhat.
 
Holly…”

Her stomach rolled as the teacher said her name.

“…Do you know any of the restrictions?”
 

Everybody turned to her and she felt uncomfortable being the centre of attention.
 
Dealing with Stacey was one thing, but the solo spotlight was terrifying.
 

“Um…well…in supermarkets and off licenses, they have to ask for ID if the customer looks below twenty-five years old. Um…It’s still eighteen in pubs and clubs though.”
 
Holly blew out a breath as she got through her ‘moment’.
 

“Thanks, Holly, that’s helpful.” Said the teacher with a smile.
 

“Yeah, like
she
ever drinks. She’s probably a ‘miss-goody-two-shoes’ who waits until she’s legal to do
anything
.”
 

“Shut up Stacey.” Growled Alex.

Stacey snorted.

“She probably wouldn’t even sniff a drink incase she was over the limit and killed someone.”
 

“Shut your fuckin mouth!” Holly screamed as she stood up.
 

“Shit!” someone said from the front.
 

“What the
fuck
do
you
know? Drink driving isn’t a fuckin’ joke; you
whore
!”
 

“Holly!” shouted the teacher in surprise.
 
“Calm down! Sit in your seat, Stacey…outside.”
 

“But she’s the one who cursed!” she pleaded.
 

“You’re the one who started it.
 
Now, out.” Stacey left with a huff.
 

Alex rushed to Holly’s side.
 
Tears were falling down her cheeks, and she was shaking like a leaf in anger.
 
Alex pulled her to him and held her tight.
 

“It’s ok, it’s ok. Sit down.” He said as he pulled back to wipe her tears.
 

“I’m guessing you have personal experience.” Said the teacher quietly. Holly nodded as she sat down.
 
“I’m so sorry to hear that.
 
Even so, I can’t have that language in here.” He said softly.
 

“Sorry.” Holly muttered.
 

She wasn’t sorry. Far from it.
 
She was only sorry that she hadn’t punched Stacey.
 

Alex was crouched next to her, holding her hand.
 
His other hand on the back of her chair.
 
Dev held Holly’s other hand in both of hers.
 

“What happened?” asked a girl from the middle row.
 

“None of your business.” Said Dev.
 

“It’s ok Dev.” Said Holly.
 

The silence in the room was deathly as everybody stared in shock at Holly.
 

“I think we’ve had enough of this subject.”
 
The teacher spoke up, bringing the attention of the other students back to him.
 

“Class dismissed.” Nobody cheered that they were leaving early. They just picked up their things and left.
 

“Sir. If I see
her
right now, I’ll hit her.” Holly said.
 
She knew she would.
 
Stacey would probably say something to anger her again, and Holly wouldn’t be able to stop herself from lashing out.
 

“Ok.
 
Stay here until I’ve escorted her away.”
 
The teacher left, leaving the group alone.
 
They hadn’t left and looked like they weren’t going to, without Holly.
 

Alex stroked his thumb over her hand as he watched her face. Just him being there had Holly’s heart swelling.
 

“My Dad was killed by a drunk driver.” Holly said suddenly. She’d told Dev already, about the drunk driver,
 
and the others knew her Dad had died, but she hadn’t elaborated. She hadn’t spoken about the details of the accident since it happened.
 

“Oh, sweetie that’s awful! I’m so sorry!” Said Kayla. Alex lifted his hand from Holly’s chair to her shoulder, and she felt the heat, from his touch, warming her.
 

“When I was nine…” she began “…me and my Dad went to the cinema at the big estate a few miles from where we lived.
 
There were a few large shops, cafe’s and
 
a pub restaurant.
 
As we were walking back to the car, a girl came out of the pub and got into her car. As she started to drive away, she lost control of the car, hit the corner of the pavement and headed right for us.
 
My Dad pushed me out of the way.
 
He was killed instantly.
 
The driver got out of the car, and she was drunk.
 
She’d just been celebrating her eighteenth birthday.”
 

“I’m so sorry.” Alex whispered next to her. His hand rubbing her shoulder and the other holding her hand. Dev, Riss and Kayla all hugged Holly, pulling her from Alex.
 

“Oh honey, we’re so sorry that happened!”
 

“It’s ok.
 
It was a long time ago.” Holly said. “That…bitch just made me lose it.”
 

Ben, Ryan and Kyle waited for them to start moving.
 
Alex was about to walk behind Holly when she took his hand and pulled him alongside her, and he squeezed, smiling at her.
 
He’d rushed to her side when she’d freaked out, and she wasn’t about to leave him behind.

Or ever.

“Guys it’s fine…and thanks.” She said as Ben was about to say something.
 

“Damn girl.” Said Ryan as he shook his head.
 

“Holy shit.” Said Ben as they walked to the parking lot in silence.

The girls hugged goodbye and left.
 

“Catch you later Alex.” Said Ben as he waved. He’d arrived in his own car that day which left Alex and Dev riding home together.
 

“Cool.” He still had a hold of Holly’s hand as they walked to Holly’s car.
 

“Can I text you later?” He asked as he turned to face her.
 

Holly lost her voice for a second as she looked into his amazing brown eyes. She chewed on her lower lip until she saw him smirk a little. Holly smiled shyly and looked down, before glancing to Dev who was looking between them as if she were waiting for something.
 

“It’s still early. You could both come to my house.” She said.
 

Holly had made sure to say ‘both’.
 
She didn’t want to leave Alex, but she didn’t feel quite brave enough to be alone with him.
 

“Really?” He asked with a grin. Dev beamed.
 

“Yeah, really.”
 

“We’ll follow you.” Said Dev as she pulled on Alex’s arm.
 
“See you there Hol.”
 

“Will you be ok?” Alex asked before Dev could drag him to the car.
 

“Definitely.” Holly replied.
 
Which had nothing to do with the horrible class they’d just been in.

Alex and Dev pulled up into the driveway behind Holly as she put her car into the garage.
 
Alex was nervous.
 
He’d never been to Holly’s house and he wondered if anybody were home.

Is her Mom home? Her Step-Dad? Will they like me?

“Alex, you look worried there.” Said Dev as they got out of the car.
 

Holly turned to him.
 

“What are you worried about?” She said with a slight frown, showing concern.
 

“Nothing.” He said quickly with a shrug of his shoulder.

Dev raised an eyebrow at him.
 

“Ok, maybe a little.”
 

“Why?” asked Holly.
 

“I’m worried your Mom won’t like me.” Holly smiled in amusement.
 
“You’ll be fine.” She said as they walked to the door.
 

“How do you know?” He asked, getting more nervous the closer they got. “She might tell me to get out.”
 

The girls looked at each other in confusion.
 

“I think after last weekend, her Mom’ll love you.” Chuckled Dev.