Chapter 2 Crushes

"Bye," Jacqueline waved to Vanessa as she alighted from the school bus. Vanessa walked into her home. She was greeted by Hunter, Leonard's spaniel as usual. She walked into her room stopping briefly to look at the picture frame that hung on the wall. It was a picture they took as a family at her twelfth birthday party. She sighed as she walked into her room. She showered, changed into a jumper and walked into the kitchen. She quickly made some toast, grabbed a can of Pepsi and sat down to eat. She had planned to call Greg to ask him if he could drive her over to Paige's house.

Her phone rang and she paused thinking it was Greg calling to ask if she was home already. It was her dad.

"Hi Dad," Vanessa said biting into her toast.

"Hey, sweetie. Umm...are you home?"

"Umm," she replied with her mouth full.

"Err...Listen you shouldn't wait up for me alright? I have some work to do so..."

Vanessa quickly swallowed.

"I understand Dad," she said and then remembered the party.

"Hey, Dad,"

"Yeah?"

"Can I go over to Paige's house tonight?"

"Err...Would you walk over? I ain't coming..." His voice trailed off.

Vanessa could hear people talking in the background.

"Greg would take me,"

"Okay okay, you let him know. I got to go. Love you," He said and hung up.

Vanessa sighed. He didn't even wait for her response. Well, tonight she was going to have fun. She looked down at Hunter who came sniffing around having smelled peanut butter. She got up and fixed his meal. Now Greg. She had to convince him to drive her over.

She texted him.

Vanessa: Hey are you free tonight?

After a few minutes, Greg's text came in.

Greg: Kinda, why?

Vanessa: I'm having a sleepover at Paige's. Could you drive me over by seven?

Greg: Hold on.

Greg called Vanessa's dad. He wanted to be sure she had her dad's permission and he got Peter's approval.

Greg: Okay

Vanessa: Don't be late...smiles

Greg smiled. He had watched Vanessa grow from a cute toddler to a beauty queen overnight. She carried herself as a youthful queen created by superb health, youth, and genuine happiness that high spirits can give. Greg found her attractive but never showed it. After all, she was his best friend's little sister and he also made sure no boy came near her. Vanessa had complained to Leonard about Greg being so protective of her. Leonard sat her down and told her stories of some terrible things boys did to girls especially pretty girls like her if left unguarded and that Greg was just watching out for her like he should but couldn't because he had been diagnosed with cancer and was on medications. He then asked Vanessa to listen to Greg and do what he said. Vanessa occasionally teased Greg by disobeying his instructions.

A few minutes past seven Greg pulled up at Vanessa's house. He drove a convertible that he had bought four months ago. Vanessa got into the car with her backpack.

"Hi," Vanessa said shyly.

Greg smiled at her. She looked lovely in the dress she wore. As he drove, Vanessa occasionally stole glances at him and played with her fingers. Greg who was focused on the road took no notice of her as he hummed the song playing from the car stereo. They said nothing to each other till he pulled up in front of Paige's house. Greg looked surprised to see a lot of teens dancing to the music that boomed from inside. He turned to Vanessa

"There is a party going on," He said with his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.

Vanessa blushed. She hadn't told him about the party.

"Well.." she stuttered.

"There is no way I'm gonna leave you here all alone with these..."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't know these people,"

"They all attend my school Greg, besides dad knows," she said pouting.

Greg stared at her. Her hair was the colour of fire, and her skin glowed as if refreshed from some inner stream, but her mouth was too vulnerable as if not fully formed.

"Fine. Go on," He said still staring at her.

Vanessa got out, grabbed her backpack and hurried into the house. Greg watched her go in. She had this air of defiance like she was about to break some rules. Well not under his watch. He got out and joined the party. He looked around for Vanessa and found her talking and laughing with some friends. He grabbed a beer, stood in a corner and watched her, ignoring all the pretty girls who tried to get his attention.

Vanessa had seen him come in even before he saw her. Jacqueline and Tessa her friends had called her attention to him.

"Aww looks like Mr Gorgeous is interested in partying with us tonight," Jacqueline said drooling.

"Let's go say hi," Tessa said. She had never had the opportunity to talk to Greg and was jealous of the "privilege" Vanessa had.

"No!" Vanessa said as she sipped her juice.

"He is staring at us. Let's go say hi," Tessa persuaded Vanessa.

"You guys go, I'm not going," Vanessa said firmly.

"Did he drive you here?" Jacqueline asked Vanessa.

Vanessa nodded and went to refill her cup. Tessa bustled over to where Greg stood tall, taller than everyone else. He had thought no one would notice him but he was wrong. The girls wouldn't stop trying to get his attention and the guys occasionally stole glances at him, observing him.

Vanessa tried hard not to look in his way. She knew he had joined the party to keep an eye on her so she wouldn't do anything stupid. Well, that was exactly what she was going to do right now, right under his watch. She walked over to Jake Clay, one of the hottest boys in school who had asked her out so many times and had politely him turned down. She grabbed his hand, pulled him away from his friends who yelled their support and took him to the back of the house where a tree shielded them from prying eyes. There, Vanessa held his face in her hands and kissed him full on the lips. She didn't know how to kiss and broke off after a few seconds. Jake who couldn't believe his luck, grabbed her waist, pulled her against him and kissed her deeply. He suddenly broke off like he was being pulled off. Sure enough, someone had yanked him away and thrown him to the ground like he weighed no more than a bag of chips. It was Greg.

He grabbed Jake up by the collar and hit him with his fist repeatedly.

Vanessa screamed. People gathered around Greg but nobody was bold enough to stop him. They all looked on as he beat up Jake. Satisfied Greg turned toward Vanessa. Fear gripped her for some seconds. She took a few steps back as he advanced towards her. She had never seen him angry. He grabbed her by her arm and pulled her away towards the car. She struggled to free herself from his tight grip.

Greg opened the car door and released her hand.

"Get in," He said roughly.

Vanessa was angry. She hadn't expected him to beat up Jake. He had created a scene without caring how it would affect her at school. Now she would be given a nickname. The kids at her school were brutal when it came to scenarios like this.

"No!" She yelled.

Greg was taken aback. He had expected her to get in quietly. He knew he shouldn't have beaten up Jake. He couldn't understand why he felt angry anytime he saw any guy with Vanessa. He felt angry with Jake for kissing Vanessa. And now, she wants to go back to the party so she can do what? Kiss every dude who would jump at the opportunity.

He took a few steps closer to Vanessa so that her back was against the car and stared down at her.

"Get into the car and I'm not gonna say it again," He said slowly breathing hard.

Vanessa looked up at him. Her beautiful eyes glared at him.

"Make me!" She said with her eyebrows raised.

Greg felt a sensation sweep through him. She was daring him. He took another step closer still staring at her and his body was touching hers. Vanessa returned the stare. He stared at her face, beautiful oval face. Her hair looked wild like wet fire blew over her face. He glanced at her lips, those lips Jake had sucked. They were full and moist. She had kissed a boy in his presence. Tilting her chin, he kissed her. His lips crushed hers. His body reacted in a heartbeat, his sex swelling with urgency in a way he never felt before. He felt her relax. Her sweetened mouth soft under his, he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into the silky warmth of her mouth.