Chapter 5: Fleur

FLEUR

Chapter

Five

Loyal. The word bounces around in my head through my whole first class. I suppose Van would be the loyal type. It goes right along with his personality. I just didn't think annoying would be a part of it too. Adorably annoying.

No, it's not adorable, it's only annoying. I have to remember that. Van isn't for me, and anyone with half a brain cell would know that he and I together is laughable. Because while he's loyal, I'm… my mind blanks for a moment. I don't think sneaky and loyal go together at all. We are opposites in so many senses.

Van is willing to give up all women to protect Sadie. I don't know why it stung when he reminded me that our relationship was only for show and to protect another girl. Even if that girl is Sadie. Don't get me wrong, I really like Sadie, but that doesn't stop me from feeling a tiny bit jealous. I know it's ridiculous, but I can't help it. I'm starting to understand why Dunc doesn't care for Van. It has to be off-putting that another man would do anything for the woman you're in love with, and yes, Dunc is definitely in love. It's the only way to explain his stupid out-of-character behavior.

I mean, I get it. Sadie is the type I could see All-American Van ending up with. They fit. She is adorable, the girl next door, and for sure loyal. I don't think a person has ever been loyal to me in my life. Everyone, even my mom, is often after something. Everything is an exchange. The world has taught me that. That also applies to Van. He needs something from me. I should be used to it, but for some reason, it stings a little extra with him.

I dip out a few minutes early, having a feeling that if I don't, Van will find me. Mr. Tananger doesn't say anything when I enter the media room and make my way over to my desk. I get a bit of a free pass around the school being president of the newspaper. The teachers often think I'm off to go do something related to it when I leave a class early or arrive late. I use that to my advantage whenever I can.

I grab my glasses out of my bag before I pull up my emails and start to go over some of the articles a few other students have sent me for the next update for the blog. The bell rings, but I ignore it until I hear a familiar giggle. I glance up to see Dunc, Van, and Sadie walking into the media room.

Sadie gives me a bright smile, making her way over toward me. I immediately feel guilty for my earlier thoughts.

"Red, you didn't wait for me?" Van dips around Sadie, getting in front of her to get to my desk first.

"Red?" Sadie asks. Dunc places her bag on the ground next to the desk Sadie has been using. I'm used to Dunc walking her here, but I didn't think Van knew where the media room was.

"He's super original." I blow one of my annoying curls out of my face.

"Someone else call you Red?" He folds his arms over his chest. I hate when he does that. It takes everything I have in me not to stare at his biceps.

"No," I admit.

"You gave her a nickname?" Sadie's eyes light up. "Wait, is she why you're in here?" Both her and Dunc's eyes bounce between Van and me. The annoyed expression Dunc always has on his face when Van is near him falters.

"We're together," Van says loud enough for everyone in the classroom to hear.

"Van!" I hiss. My face starts to warm. Oh my God, he's making me blush. I hate him.

"What? Is that why you were in his room?" Sadie innocently blows up my spot.

Well, shit. I try to keep my face as calm as possible, feeling Van's gaze on me.

"You were in my room?" I can hear the amusement in his voice.

"I got lost," I lie, locking eyes with Van to assert my dominance. It doesn't work because he freaking smirks, making one of his dimples show. I can feel my cheeks heat even more, my own body betraying me.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" He places one hand flat on my desk, leaning over it.

"You were busy playing with Rose."

"I only play on the field, Red."

"Stop calling me that."

"Why? You like it."

"I do not," I lie again. I totally like it, but there's no way I'm ever admitting that to him.

"Liar," he says with a full-on smile now.

How the hell does he do that? I'm picking up quickly that the man can really tell when I lie. It's disarming, and I don't like it. I feel naked.

"Don't you two have class or something?" I wave my hand dismissively at the boys and go back to pretending to read my computer screen.

"I had to come find out why my girl is dodging me."

"I'm not dodging you. I'm busy." I peek over at him. He's openly staring at me. I glance around the room and see everyone else is watching us too. Even Mr. Tananger. Word is really going to spread now. That's probably the real reason Van is here. He wants to make sure everyone knows. Then, maybe he'll pull back on this overplay.

"What are you all staring at? We have deadlines!" I snip. Everyone quickly looks away. Except Van. "Are we finished?" I focus my attention back on him.

He removes his hand from my desk before coming around it. He leans down. I know I should lean away or tilt my head in another direction, but I can't bring myself to back down. Van leans in and drops a quick kiss on my lips.

"I'm far from finished, Red," he says before he turns to head out of the classroom, leaving me speechless for the first time in years.