I pulled her closer, almost carrying her.
“Stop it. Everyone is looking,” she hissed.
I knew why they were watching. I’d never dated or shown any interest in any of the girls at school. Not that it stopped them from throwing themselves at me or propositioning me. “Of course they’re watching. They’re wondering how I scored such a pretty girl.”
Jade snorted. “You’re such a liar.”
I stopped in the middle of the lunch courtyard and turned Jade to face me. I tilted her head up, leaned down, and kissed her in front of everyone. I knew all their eyes were on us, but I didn’t give a fuck. I coaxed her to open her mouth and tangled my tongue with hers. Kissing her deep while I showed everyone she was mine. I ended the kiss and stepped away from her, grinning.
“That was just mean. You knew I couldn’t stop you with everyone watching.”
Of course I knew she wouldn’t deny me a kiss, she didn’t want to cause an even bigger scene. She may fight me at every turn but I knew she liked me, especially my kisses. “I knew you liked me enough to show everyone. I also wanted everyone to know you’re mine.” I shrugged. “I will do it every day if you don’t meet me at recess and lunch.”
“Fine.” Jade straightened and walked down to the seats where we always sat.
The next couple of days she joined me for recesses and lunch. Her friends came down and sat with us too.
Afternoons had been another fight. Jade and Cassie had become fast friends so she’d been spending most afternoons with her and their friends. I let her spend Monday with Cassie, but Tuesday when I had rugby practice and I wanted her there.
“I thought rugby practice was on Friday?” She’d sulked because she’d wanted to go with Cassie like she had the day before. I had been waiting for her at the entry to the car park.
“It is. Tuesday and Friday.”
We’d gone back to my house and she’d tried sitting in the car.
“Little bit, if you don’t get out of the car now I won’t go to practice. I’ll stay here with you.” I laughed when she jumped out of the car and ran inside. She refused to come up to my room while I changed for practice, but I’d let her have that boon. I was supposed to be taking it slow, and I knew last time she was in my room it spooked her.
On Wednesday I’d waited for her at the car park entrance. We’d gone back to my house, but I’d invited our friends over and we all hung out
Today I didn’t wait in the car park entrance, I waited out by her last class. I had a free period on Thursdays afternoons. I’d spent the first thirty-five minutes in the library studying. The HSC exams (Higher School Certificate) wasn’t too far away and I needed good marks to get into my course.
My parents messaged me to tell me they’d arrived home and were looking forward to seeing my brother and me. I was going to make sure I got to spend some time with Jade, even if it was just driving her home.
The bell rang and Jade was the last out of the class. Her eyes widened when she saw me. “What are you doing waiting here?”
Grabbing her hand, I brought it up to my lips and kissed it. “Just coming to get my girl. Thursday afternoons I have a free period.”
“You didn’t have to wait for me. I could have gotten the bus if I couldn’t find one of my friends.”
“There’s no reason for you to get the bus. I like making sure you get home,”
Jade smiled at me. I knew I was slowing changing her mind about being with me. “Thanks, but I can look after myself. I’ve been doing it now for nearly eighteen years.”
“You have me now.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can’t rely on you always. What happens when you’re done with me or we go to separate universities?”
I stopped. “What are you talking about? I will never be done with you. You’re mine. We will be going to the same university.” I wanted to shake her until my words sank in. How could she think I would leave her?
Jade nibbled on her lip and I honed in on the action and as always it made me rock hard.
“Stephan, I know your reputation. I don’t want you to make promises,” she said, turning away from my stare and continuing on to the car.
Frustration and unease seeped into me as I opened my car. Jade got in and I followed getting into the driver’s side. “I can make you as many promises as I like because I’ll keep them. I’ve been taking things slow for you," I said and started the car, driving toward her house. “If I had my way you’d be living in my house and I’d be fucking waking up to you every morning and going to sleep with you in my arms.”