:

This week will be the first week Bryson and I will be seen together. As a couple.

I'm happy, but at the same time terrified at everyone's eyes on us.

I never liked the attention when it comes to boys.

I haven't even told Crystal about it, which made me feel guilty but I couldn't tell her without her fangirling and teasing me.

I didn't know how I felt about not being single anymore, am I supposed to share my experiences with him? Call him everyday?

Hold hands 24/7?

I didn't know how to function.

My stomach clenched as I heard his car pulling up.

"Koleen, the nice boy from last time is here." My mom says as she stood by the door.

"Okay, I'll be down in a minute."

"Don't make him wait too long, I'm leaving for work now, bye."

"Bye..." I say looking into my mirror.

I wore jeggings and a regular T-shirt. Something I wore normally with my hair down.

But as I kept looking at my reflection, the more my flaws were visible.

My hips looked enormous and so did my thighs, my face looked smudged and chunky.

Would he not like how I look?

Would people think I'm not good enough for him?

The doorbell rang but before I could answer it, I quickly changed into something more presentable.

I didn't want to look like trash on our first appearance of dating.

"Hey, sorry I kept you waiting." I apologize to him while he looked me over.

"You look nicer than usual."

"Me? I'm just wearing jeans and a top." I say trying not to make it a big deal.

"Jeans," he says. "You never wear jeans, and you're wearing a floral top, something you don't wear as well."

Damn. Why was he so observant?

"I want to try something new."

"Well it looks good. We should go now before it gets late." He was going to take my hand until I realized I left something behind.

"Wait! I need a jacket."

I quickly ran back inside and grabbed one of my oversized pull overs then ran back down.

"You could've just used my jacket."

"No I want my own. Are my bags in the back?"

"Yup. Safe and secured."

"Okay. Thanks."

I put my hands in my lap while we drove, until he moved his hand into one of mine, and took hold of it the whole way to school.

It was small but it still made my stomach flutter.

"You're not nervous are you?" He asks glancing at my expression.

"Maybe..." I muttered.

"It's fine, you're gonna be fine because I'll be there the whole time to protect you."

That sounded reassuring.

"Okay."

"Have you ever been in a relationship before ?" He asks glancing towards me.

I was embarrassed to answer, but I didn't want to lie, "No..have you?"

He shrugged. "A few here and there. They were mostly short and for show."

"What do you mean?"

"For my dad's sake. My mom when she was there too..."

"Oh."

Right. Sensitive topic maybe?

"Am I for show?" I changed the subject, it was a stupid insecure question but nonetheless maybe got his mind off his mom.

"Are you kidding? Of course not. I like you. You make me genuinely happy."

My heart fluttered. That made me happy.

Who would've thought he'd fall for me, when he could've had anyone else.

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

I was so nervous once we arrived at school.

Seniors, and lower class men passed by and every time they'd look back I'd think they saw me in the car with Bryson.

Things got real when he got out of the car to open the door for me.

I didn't want to get out.

I didn't want to be seen.

I didn't want people to see us together.

"Aren't you gonna get out?" He asks offering his hand.

"Oh, sorry."

Discreetly I tried to cover my face by lowering it down.

Maybe I won't be so noticeable.

Luckily I didn't have to go in the back to get my bags, because Bryson already got them.

"Thanks. I'll see you later, I have to put this in my locker." I say as I was about to walk away, but instead he pulled me to him.

"You're not gonna hug me goodbye?"

My face was against his chest, and although I wanted to stay there for a while absorbing his presence close to me, I needed to leave.

"Right. I'll see you tomorrow." I pulled away from him, smiled, then walked away.

How was I supposed to tell my friends about it without them making it such a big deal?

I wanted to keep our relationship on the low to get used to the whole thing, but how could that be with someone like him?

He was known, he was popular, he was an athlete. It'd be impossible to not know.

At least now though creeps would back off since I have a man....

That'd be really nice, especially from Sean.

Ugh, he'd get a good laugh on us being together, that's for sure.

I was about to open my locker when someone next to me opened theirs, and it slammed against my face.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" She exclaims.

I looked towards her rolling my eyes, she was a freshman for sure.

"Watch out next time will you?" I stormed off towards the bathroom clutching my face.

It was horrible, the side of my face was red and throbbing.

Great, the one time I wanted to look good I look like an ogre instead.

I couldn't be seen with Bryson with my face looking like this.

Maybe I can ask the girls for make up...

I got out of the restroom annoyed and frustrated, but to my dismay , Bryson was a few feet away talking to some douche.

This is not happening. I didn't want him to see me.

I tried walking away from him without getting noticed, but the douche probably said something because he turned around and walked towards me.

"Hey, I thought you were going to class already. Wow, what happened to your face?" He grabbed my face and examined the injury.

"It was the lockers, someone opened it and hit my face."

"Aw, Leen." He pulled me to a hug, but I backed away because it was hurting my face.

"Ouch."

"Oops, sorry Thunderthighs." He gently stroked my face apologetically.

"Bryson!" Some girl with an accent called, walking to him.

I turned towards her, then at him confused.

What does she want?

★˚° °˚★˚° °˚★˚° °˚★˚° °˚★˚° °˚★˚° °˚★

.