For the third time that week students had to scatter out of the way as the black-haired, wiry Mr. Athletic raced through the crowd chased by a furious petite blonde missing one of her strappy little sandals.
“Josh, I’m gonna kill you!” She screamed after him to no effect. “Stop.” Her face was red from running.
He laughed as he slowed slightly to glance back at her. “Now that threat doesn’t really reward me for stopping, Tori. Maybe a sweeter promise would have better results. You could threaten to kiss me or something and I might stop. Try again.”
And just like that, he put on a burst of speed and was halfway across the quad. She slowed to a frustrated jog. After another minute of him darting this way and that around the benches and trees she slowed even further.
With a huff Tori stopped completely and struggled to catch her breath, hobbling her way to the nearby grass. As tempting as flopping to the ground was, she knew that if she did she would not get back up. And she needed to get that shoe. She looked around for Josh and yelled, “Danika is going to kill you when she finds out you stole my shoe again.”
Instantly he stopped, squinting back at her. Maybe he was trying to see if she was seriously going to tell on him to his sister. “Good point.” He shrugged and lobbed her shoe back over to her. Finally noticing the attention they’d gathered, Josh tossed his boyish smile their way. “Show’s over my friends. See ya in class.”
Easy as that, everyone cleared out. As relieved as Tori was to not have everyone staring at her, she was now left alone with Josh while she struggled to get her shoe on while also hopping around on one foot. Just as she was losing her balance for the fourth time Josh’s arm wrapped around her waist, holding her steady with ease.
“Need some help?” He smirked.
“Ugh!” She screeched. “You are infuriating! I wouldn’t need the help at all if you hadn’t snagged my sandal earlier.” She hurried to put her sandal back on. How he managed to steal it so often was not something she had puzzled out yet.
Giving her a not-so-gentle squeeze, he laughed. “When are you going to admit you love me?”
Tori wanted to stomp on his foot or elbow him hard. Unfortunately he was currently the only thing keeping her from falling on her face. Stupid sandal straps.
“Josh, what are you doing to Tori?” Both Josh and Tori looked up at the pixie of a girl barreling toward them with a concerned glare on her face. Josh dropped Tori and put his arms up, all charm.
Tori barely had enough time to put her foot down before she lost her balance completely.
Josh stepped in front of her, as if he could hide the fact that Tori was even there. “Hey sis. What’s got you all riled?”
“Are you harassing Tori again?” Danika demanded, not distracted in the slightest.
“No. I was helping.” He smiled. Turning to Tori he nodded. “Right? I was helping.”
Tori glared at him. “I have class.” As she strode off she smiled to herself. “Too pretty for his own good.” She muttered under her breath. She didn’t get far before Josh caught up with her, sweeping her up into his arms.
“Allow me to be of further assistance milady.” Josh kept on walking, not even fazed by the fact that he was carrying her. Or that he was taking her in the opposite direction of her class. Why did her best friend have to have such a good looking and irksome twin brother.
“Put me down!” Tori wriggled, trying to free herself.
Danika was immediately next to them, pulling on his arm, making Tori’s current position more precarious.
“Put her down Josh. She isn’t a toy.” Danika growled.
In seconds Tori was back on the ground and Danika and Josh were pushing at each other. Tori ignored them both as they squabbled and once again began walking towards her class.
Eventually they gave up pestering each other and Josh tried to put his arm on Tori’s shoulder but Danika pulled him away. Forever caught between the two, Tori had long since buried any crush-like feelings she may have had for Josh long ago. Problem was, more and more lately, Josh was catching her alone and his teasing was beginning to feel more like flirting. He was slowly succeeding in unearthing those feelings she thought she had successfully squelched. Yet Tori also knew that Danika would kill her if she admitted to any feelings for Josh beyond irritation and annoyance.
“Go find someone else to bother, Josh.” Danika insisted.
Without another word he moved off but Tori couldn’t resist looking back over her shoulder at him. Her gaze connected with his and she blinked, startled, before she hurriedly faced forward.
Danika nudged her, oblivious to the silent interaction that had just happened. “We need to move it. We’re going to be late.”
Tori followed along, lost in thought.
“Tori? You haven’t heard a thing I said, have you?” Danika stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“Nothing.” Tori stammered.
When Danika stepped in front of her, hands on her hips, Tori had to stop fast. “Danika! What was that for?” Tori glared.
Danika smiled. “What are you waiting for?”
“Hmm?”
“My dear, wonderful, favoritest of best friend I am not blind. And Josh is going to hurt himself if he tries any harder to get your attention. It’s not like you don’t like him since you’ve been in love with him for years.” Danika’s smile was huge.
Tori’s heart jolted. “What?!”
“Don’t deny it. I can so see it. So I’ll ask again. What are you waiting for?”
“Waiting for?” Tori stuttered, her mind whirling. There had been no waiting in her head, only complete denial. And she thought it had been working.
Apparently she was wrong…about several things.
