Chapter 12 — What's left of your dignity

Jane's POV:

Like every morning, I woke up with a frustrated groan as I slapped my alarm shut.

I laid in bed for a couple of minutes as a smile broke onto my face when I remembered what happened yesterday. My fingers grazed my lips, remembering the kiss I shared with Luca.

I was never kissed before but I can say, without a doubt that it was the best thing I've ever experienced.

Luca and I agreed to keep our dating a secret until we figure out what to do with Sarah and Luca's parents. We had to be smart and be able to overcome whatever they throw our way. Plus, the thrill of dating in secret was causing adrenaline and excitement to rush through my veins. I loved the adventure.

I was snapped out of my daydreaming with my mom calling me from outside my door. Last night when I came home, to say the least, was disastrous to both me and her.

She was beyond angry and I didn't know how to save myself from her wrath.

"I'm sorry mom I swear, but I needed them for a noble reason and they've finished their mission successfully. You can have them back."

Even with my sweet convincing words she still smacked me arm several times and I was, she says and nd I quote, grounded for life. Can you imagine that?

With a sigh, I went to the bathroom for a much-needed shower. I finished washing my body and went to pick out my clothes for today. I wanted to see Luca so badly. Even though he kept sending my teasing glances yesterday, making me blush. People started thinking that I'm a crazy person that blushes to herself since no one knew about Luca and me.

I grabbed a pair of white jeans and a purple pullover with an undershirt. I wrapped a gray wool scarf around my neck and let my hair hang loosely down my back. I kept my makeup minimum with only kohl and lip gloss.

I was putting on my gray flat ankle boots when I hear something hit my window. I turned around curiously but when I saw nothing, I just shrugged it off.

Seconds later, something hit the glass making me scowl at the poor window. I made my way to see what was happening only to find a grinning Luca standing under my bedroom window.

I gaped at him wide-eyed. Was he crazy? We might get caught!

Suddenly, my phone rang in my pocket. I reached for it and looked at the caller id to find that it was no other than Luca. I looked down at him in confusion but he just smiled and waved his phone in front of his face, gesturing for me to answer.

"Are you insane?" I whisper yelled as soon as I accepted his call.

"Maybe." Luca shrugged innocently.

"Someone might see and it won't be good." I reasoned out.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful. Now come on, I have a surprise for you." He said through the phone.

"Surprise?" I asked confused.

"Yup, now hurry."

"I'm not sure about this Luca." I told him hesitantly.

I heard him sigh through the phone. "Don't worry Jane. We'll be careful I promise." He reassured.

Now was my turn to sigh. "Okay. Wait for me at the convenience store near my house."

Luca grinned widely at me and nodded. "I'll see you there then."

I nodded at him and smiled. My heart was already doing somersaults at the thought of Luca's surprise. Not only that, but I was also going against my mom's 'life grounding'. The adrenaline rush!

I quickly completed putting my boots on, grabbed my bag and practically ran out the door.

"Jane, where are you running to?" My mom yelled from the kitchen.

"School. I'm late." I lied as I opened the front door and stepped out of my house's threshold.

Five minutes of speed walking and I was finally entering the convenient store that I was meeting Luca at.

My eyes roamed my surrounding in search of Luca but I couldn't find him. I looked right and left but still no Luca. I was starting to get a bit worried. What if someone saw him?

I  turned around to look if Luca was maybe outside the store and I missed him, but instead crashed into someone's chest and a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around my waist.

"You scared me Luca." I mumbled as I brought my face up to look at him.

My eyes widened and my heart starting beating loudly inside my chest at the person in front of me.

"Jane?" The boy said in the voice I know all too well. I've crushed on it for quite some time, how would I not know it? "What are you doing here?" He asked with both confusion and amusement.

"B-Brandon?" I stuttered in shock. What the hell was he doing here? All of a sudden I was brought back to my senses and out of my shock. I quickly pushed Brandon away from me so that no one gets the wrong idea, especially Luca. We've just started dating and I don't want him to think that I'm just playing with his feelings, cause I'm not.

"Wow Jane. I didn't think this is how you'd react after you see me again." Brandon said with amusement.

"What are you doing here Brandon?" I asked, my voice coming out stronger and firmer than I thought.

"I thought you'd be happy to see me. After all, you did have feelings for me, if not still." He replied with a cocktail tone. I was starting to get more and more agitated and mad at this guy.

"I don't like you Brandon." I told him firmly. "Not anymore at least." I completed with a whisper.

"I don't really think that's the case Jane. You see, I've been an idiot before and my eyes were closed on the gem I had in front of me. You were there the whole time and I hurt you Jane, I'm sorry."

What the hell is up with this guy?! He and my so-called best friend hurt me in the worst way possible and now he's apologizing? Whatever.

"What do you want Brandon?" I asked, wanting to get this over with and go find Luca.

"I want you Jane." Came his straight reply.

"Too bad, she's already taken." A voice answered when I was about to open my mouth to reply.

Luca draped a possessive arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him, my face buried in his chest.

"Sorry I took so long. I went to the bathroom for a while." Luca whispered into my ear. I shook my head as a sign to tell him that it's okay.

"And who exactly are you?" Brandon asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Her boyfriend. Got a problem?" Luca replied sternly. I looked up at his face as a blush crept to my cheeks. He was so cute when possessive. I grabbed the chance and snuggled closer into Luca's chest. He, on the other hand, snaked his other arm around my waist and pulled me even closer, if that was possible.

I was brought out of my 'Juliet' moment when Brandon scoffed. "You? Her boyfriend? You're not good for her."

"And you are?" Luca asked in return with a raised eyebrow.

I sneaked a peek at Brandon's face to find it fuming with anger. Luca, on the other hand, seemed collected and very confident. I was so proud of him and wished deeply that he would be like that with his so-called parents.

"Now if you please, collect what's left of your dignity and leave," Luca said, making Brandon turn even redder from anger.

"This is not over. I get what I want when I want it." Brandon growled at us as he turned around and left the store. I rolled my eyes inwardly at his words. Typical things said by jocks.

Luca sighed above my head. "Janey. You okay?" He asked in concern as he pulled back a bit to look at my face. I felt tingles run up and down my spine at the nickname he uses to call me.

I nodded my head. "I'm so sorry Luca about all this. I don't know when did he come here or why—" I cut short when Luca pecked my lips softly.

"It's okay Janey. I don't mind as long as you're still with me." He told me reassuringly.

I felt a smile spread across my face as my cheeks turned brick red at his comment. I didn't bother to hide my blush though. Luca responded to my smile with one of his own.

"Come on. Let's go have fun." He said as he lead us out the store.