Bree's mouth fell open where she sat because what Alejandro was doing right now was putting her in shock.
What was he doing?
Alejandro had shocked her this moment when he'd put his hand in his jacket's pocket and brought out two packages of peppermint chewing gum.
Bree refused to look up. After all, she was beginning to freeze.
But Alejandro forced it when he stretched out his palm before her....
What was happening?
Alejandro was offering her his own idea of a treat.
An offer of hospitality.... or.... maybe something like that? Two whole packages of peppermint chewing gum, to be exact.
Instinctively, Bree couldn't help it, and so she stared up at him in something that looked like she was trying to confirm if he was the one there. Or if he really was giving out two packages of peppermint chewing gum to her. Consciously? Or prankingly?
She wasn't sure what to think.
Alejandro didn't care what she felt or did. He only stood there, quiet and showing some sweet treats down to her, mute.
He wasn't helping this matter at all.
"Oh, bitch, don't be stupid! Take it now!"
Quickly, Bree grabbed them and swallowed, her heart and brain racing heavily with an indescribable emotion.
But there was more to come now.
Because Alejandro was sticking a hand into the other pocket now....
And then, a roll of cash. Big cash in hundred-dollar notes.
Clearly in the daylight, Alejandro was asking her to take it.
This time around, Bree couldn't help but lean back slightly to look up at Alejandro because now, she was beginning to not understand.
"F-For.... me?" She asked, half-timidly and half-unconsciously.
But then, Bree knew the answer, and there was no way he was going to confirm that than stare at her expressionlessly, and she slowly took the money and stuck it in her bag.
"Haha. You thief. So thought you were afraid...."
Subconsciously, her mind was jubilating and racing at the back of her head, but she couldn't let it show as she gave her attention to the EXPRESSIONLESS, HOT ALEJANDRO at hand.
"JESUS, that'd be up to one thousand bucks. Where the fuck did he see cash in these days?"
"Uhm, thank you so much...."
And she forced out.
".... Alejandro...." She paused and met eyes with him for a short time, then quickly finished. "I.... I'm so grateful."
Still, no expression.
Next, Alejandro brought out a book and pen from his back pocket, and this time, Bree's forehead creased. She glanced up at him.
Hurriedly, Alejandro was scribbling something fast.
When he tore the page out, Bree realized it was his phone number and a message, but she couldn't dare not notice the perfect cursive nature of it.
The teacher had come in, and the class was getting filled up. So, Alejandro sneaked out.
Bree sat in something like shock and excitement. Oh, but Alejandro was about to make her lose her mind. And she couldn't understand it enough to hold on to it.
★★★
★★★
Bree was smiling when she stood up and flung her schoolbag onto it's place. The PA system for French class was calling the end of the class and learning period. Brielle was having a good time already and picked up her leisure novel when some guy waved at her.
Surprised, she looked behind her in case she was making a mistake and saw no one getting involved there, so she waved back and smiled.
But she saw that the guy she waved at only ignored her and threw something over her shoulder. She looked behind to see a guy send her a mischievous wink.
Oh, so this was it.
Like, what the heaven's clap was that?
Instantly, Bree became inflamed. She glared daggers, and before anyone could say "FLASH", Bree had gone over and slapped the guy with a book.
Her eyes were blazing now, and she was oozing with anger.
Now, she had slapped the mischief out of someone's face, but that didn't end there.
"You bastard!"
"What the fuck, bitch?" The guy queried, looking angry yet confused.
And Bree slapped him with her book again.
"You're the bitch! How dare you deceive me?"
"How dare you hit me?"
Meanwhile, the other guy hurried over and tried to pull her back as she lunged over again. Some other people did too.
"Sorry about that...."
Furious, Bree jerked her hand out of his grip and then turned to glare up at the dark head.
"Leave me alone! And you, animal."
"Hey, Bree. Come." Someone said and hurried over.
Bree looked back to see Shawn hurry over. She saw that everyone was standing around and staring now. Even other students from outside the classroom. So, she smiled.
"Hey, Shawn."
Brielle was about to walk over to him when the guy pulled her back.
"Where the fuck you going....?"
"Don't touch me!"
She slapped him again and lost it.
Bree was pinching and smacking, but the guys were quick enough to hold her off. Shawn came in and carefully helped Bree disentangle from the brawl.
"Come, let's go."
Bree hurried along, and soon they were locked in an elevator.
And that was where Bree puffed out a long sigh. So dramatic that she bent over.
Shawn laughed. Bree smiled.
"That was crazy, to be honest. You just had a fight."
"The boys were making me look like a fool." She started, sounding like she was about to show him great evidence. "I should have slapped the other one, too. He started it. I thought the first one was waving at me, and I waved back, and he went ahead and acted like it was the guy behind me he'd been waving at all along. And then, it's all because they wanted to.... flirt with me."
Shawn laughed harder and looked down at the frowning brunette, greatly amused.
"Real fine strategy they got there. I can't believe you fought them that hard."
Bree blushed and glanced up at her companion before giving a half shrug.
"Well, I.... I was pissed off."
"Hey. Come on. I'm not complaining. They deserved it."
And Bree laughed softly this time and looked up at him. Then, she blushed again and said.
"Are you sure you're not.... thinking it's too wild?"
"It's wild."
Bree looked up at him again, but he smiled some more.
"Beautifully wild. You weren't being cowardly back there. I love that."
"Oh, thanks. Sorry. I didn't even exchange any pleasantries."
They were about to get out of the elevator now.
"Nah, I saw you in English class. But I felt it was just the start. Then, luckily, I found you on my way outta the block. And here we are."
"Jesus, how didn't I notice you?"
"You were engrossed with the class today. I sat and signed in from the back of the class."
"Oh.... Okay.... So, how's your learning going?"
"It's going super fine. Yours?"
"Super fine, too."
They had already stepped into the daylight now and were standing just below the large staircase.
"I've got to hurry, Bree. I've got a project with my dad today."
"Oh wow. Your dad lives around here?"
"My family does."
Bree's brow raised in surprise.
"Wow. That's beautiful."
Shawn nodded and patted her shoulder.
"Thanks and take care, little army."
Bree blushed and replied.
"Thank you. Take care. See ya."
And after a quick handshake, Shawn jogged off.
Meanwhile, Bree remained in her muse as she watched him go off. She was smiling till someone hurried past and hit her out of her reverie.
She winced and frowned curiously.
"Hey!"
It was a girl, and when she turned, she looked dreamy, nerdy, and beautiful in big glasses. But still, she looked like she was always in a rush. Like she was some Cinderella running....
The girl bobbed her head twice in a hurry and waved, and before you knew it, she was already off. Real fast. Going by the corner of the huge flower beds. Bree stared along, wondering what this was all about.
She didn't know what to think right now. So, she had to go back to the situation at hand, shrugging and ignoring the strange girl.
"What's next now?" Bree wondered and looked at the time.
At a point, she sighed and caught something with her eyes, then looked again.
Jesus Christ, Bree nearly screamed and ran back inside. Her heart popped. Her eyes sparked wide open.
And suddenly, she realized she was in trouble.