These lips can't wait to taste your skin, baby, no, no, and these eyes, yeah, can't wait to see your grin ~ Miguel

☆

2 weeks later

"Ma, we're leaving!" My mom called up the stairs. She lodged the stone weighted suitcase down the steps. I kept my hands hovering over the handle, in fear she might injure her foot again.

After spending two weeks at my grandma's house I'm not sure if I want to leave anymore. While mom rested, grandma took me out where and when I wanted and cooked my favorite meals.

I blew a puff of air out, my eyes darted to the bowl by the door filled to the brim with hard candy. I swiped some into my bag when I thought no one was looking.

"I saw that," grandma said. She came down the stairs, fussing with her purse. "Take all the candy you want baby, I don't care." She smiled.

Mom stood straight, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Ok ma, I'm ready to go. I'll see you later." She hugged her.

Grandma rubbed her back, whispering a few words in her ear. She then crossed over to me and opened her arms. I walked into them and she squeezed the living daylights out of me.

"Be good now," she told me, sliding a ten dollar bill in my back pocket.

"I will grandma," I beamed.

She wrapped her shawl around herself and walked us to the door and watched us leave. We soon arrived back at the house around midnight. School was in two days and all the lights in the house were out.

The next morning I woke up to a blurry Cora standing over me. She pushed the little boy beside her. "Shush Nico, she's waking up."

I rubbed my eyes, sitting up, "what are you guys doing in here?"

Nico perked up and jumped to me, wrapping his arms around my neck. "He missed you," Cora rolled her eyes. "When did you get back?"

"Last night," I rubbed Nico's back. As much as I love my grandma's house, it felt right to be back here. I looked around the room that grew into my personality and the kids around me. A smile tugged on my lips.

"Nico, I told you to stay out of Aniya's room," a deep voice came from the hall. Victor walked through the open door and paused when his grey eyes landed on me. "Oh you're back."

"Yup," I breathed. My eyes raced up and down his figure. His hair was cut shorter and he looked a bit taller than last time I saw him.

His fingers tapped on the side of the door, he nodded and left the room. "Nico, you've been in my room while I was gone?" I looked down at him.

"Yea, he's been sitting on your bed every day, on his tablet."

Nico looked at me sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders. I shook my head playfully. Cora later dragged Nico and herself out so I could get ready for the day.

Kendall and mom wanted to go shopping for new clothes. I dressed myself in some dark jeans and a black graphic T-shirt. I pulled my braids into a ponytail and joined everyone downstairs.

"Here's my card, don't go crazy with it." My mom said handing over the piece of plastic. I kissed her on the cheek and walked into the nearest store.

I'll be glad to say I didn't go over my limit. I carried the new shoes, clothes, perfumes and lotions in bags that hung from my arms. I dropped them on the floor of my bedroom and sighed.

I took a sip from my cup of lemonade, the ice clinking on the bottom. A knock rang from my door. I placed my cup down and opened the door only to be pushed back.

Caught by surprise, the door closed as Victor stalked in. Not a word was said between the two of us as he held my face between his hands and kissed me.

His soft lips completely devoured mine as I stumbled back more into the room. My eyes widened. Just as fast as it happened it stopped and he pulled away, leaving my lips swollen and red.

I blinked, my hands still in the air. He ran a hand through his hair and turned on his heels. "Welcome back," he said, closing the door behind him. My legs collapsed from under me and I fell back on my bed.

—

"What's your schedule like," Lily reached for my paper. I snatched it from her hands and looked over it. "Just a bunch of boring classes. I have an art class, maybe that will be fun."

"I have an environmental class, for fourth period," Quinn beamed.

"I have freaking calculus first thing in the morning," Declan groaned. We giggled as he slid a hand down the side of his face.

We were standing in the school yard a few minutes before class, trying to figure our schedule out. "I have study hall second block," I read off the paper. I looked up from my paper, my eyes skirted around the area before catching something interesting.

Jessie and Victor were walking next to each other. Of course Jessie was following him around like some love sick puppy. As if she could feel my eyes burning into the back of her skull, she turned around. A small smile spread on her face when she saw me. The corner of my lips curled upwards only to drop the second she linked arms with him.

Victor didn't make any moves to remove her hand. He kept his hands in his pockets, while Jessie lightly held onto his arm. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and they continued walking.

"Damn Aniya, what did that paper do to you?" Declan announced. I looked down at the balled up paper in my hands. I quickly unfolded it, trying to massage the creases out.

The bell rang and we all went in different directions to catch our first class. First period went by very slowly. All the teacher talked about was the class syllabus and getting to know her. I couldn't be any more happier to hear that beautiful bell dismiss us.

I sat with Quinn for lunch, our new schedule divided the group into different lunches. She sat in front of me with a container of pineapple. "What do you think this year is going to be like?" She pondered, wordlessly handing me a slice.

"Hopefully less stressful than our previous years," I munched on the yellow fruit. The amount of phases and drama we went through the last three years is enough for me. I don't need a fourth one.

"Hey girls, did you save any gossip for me," a girl slid into the seat beside me. Quinn and I glanced at each other. Fay, one of Jessie's friends, smiled at us, her fingers interlocked in front of her. She had a reputation of her own, her musical talents were known well throughout the country.

Jamie, her boyfriend, sat next to Quinn, a wide grin on his face. He's on the football and basketball team here. I'm pretty sure he's been dating Fay since middle grade.

I sat up, unsure why they were sitting with us. "Why are you guys sitting over here? Jessie's table is over there," Quinn pointed to the table by the double doors.

Fay tilted her head, "yeah, I know where she is. I wanted to talk to Aniya." She turned to me. "It's about Jessie.

I raised an eyebrow, "what about her?"

She cracked her knuckles. "She's too nice to say this but I'm not. Leave Victor alone, she has been working on him for months now. I don't need you screwing it up for her." Jamie nodded his head in agreement.

I scoffed, "did you really bring your guard puppy just to say that to me? Not very intimidating if that's what you were going for."

She scowled, "that's not the point. Just do what I said and leave him alone. He obviously doesn't want you."

"You do realize they live together, right?" Quinn chipped in. This conversation felt ridiculous. Fay was starting to get visibly irritated. I covered my mouth to cover the smirk on my face.

Fay and her guard dog stood up, "I don't care. Just stay away from him." Her dark, shoulder length hair shimmered under the hot sun. She left, leaving us in awe.

Quinn and I shared a look and then burst into laughter. "Did she really do that?" Quinn laughed.

"Stay away from her man," I mimicked her voice, placing my hands on my hips. Quinn doubled over, clutching her plastic fork.

"I don't see why she needed to threaten you when he's already at their table. She basically has him," Quinn shook her head.

"What," I turned my head. Victor was sitting at Jessie's table, smack dab in the middle. I frowned, watching the group converse. He always sits with Bryant, no one else.

"Oh, yeah I don't get why she came over here in the first place." I blew out a breath of air.

"I wonder what happened to Bryant, he never sits with anyone else." Quinn commented.

"Different schedule probably."

My art class was the final part of my day. A lady in a long, flowy, floral, dress greeted everyone at the door. When I walked in, instead of the usual smell of acrylic paint, a heavenly smell of peppermint and lavender spiced the room.

I found a seat on the floor on one of the numerous bean bag chairs. All the tables were pushed to the back of the classroom and chairs were stacked high. The room was dark with only the light from the windows and small lamps to guide us.

"Sorry," I blurted after almost tripping some guy with my outstretched legs.

"Nah, you're good," he said, taking a seat beside me. I peered over at him, the first thing I noticed about him was his style. He wore green converse, light brown pants paired with a white graphic shirt and a brown jacket to finish the look.

"I like your shoes," I gestured to them.

He cheesed, looking now at his converses, "thanks."

"Hello darlings, I'm ready to start the class we call art." The teacher waltzed in, her dress gliding elegantly with her. "I'm Miss.Care, lovely to meet you all."

"Please grab a pencil and a piece of paper, we'll be drawing portraits today." The class ruffled through their book bags pulling out the needed materials. "Wonderful grab a partner and get started. You have 20 minutes."

I felt a tap on my shoulder, "do you want to be partners?" The guy beside me asked.

"Yeah sure," I turned to him.

The class flew by quickly and before I knew it, it was time to go. "Breathe in," Miss.Care instructed us. "Breathe out."

The bell rang, snapping us out of our comfort haze. "That's it for class, see you guys tomorrow," she sang, leading everyone to the door.

I pulled my book bag on my shoulders. "See you tomorrow Nathan," I twirled the strings on my bag. I rocked on my feet as he stood to his.

"I'll catch you later," he nodded, throwing two fingers up and walking out the door.

I was halfway out the door myself when I remembered the paper I left on the floor. I swirled around only to hit my forehead on someone's chest. "Ow, sorry." I rubbed my head.

I looked up and my eyes widened. "You're in this class?" I gaped.

"Yes." He answered, an eyebrow raised. He stood before at his full height and arms crossed. He stared down at me, amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"Why didn't I see you the whole class then?" I tilted my head, I surely would have noticed if Victor was in the room.

"I don't know, I sat in the back," he shrugged. "Can you move out of the way? I have a practice to get to."

I stepped aside for him to pass. He walked by not sparing me another glance. Hot and cold I tell you. Hot and cold.

—

Happy Valentine's Day guys <33