Chapter 5 05

FLORA

I stood frozen on the sidewalk, my backpack slipping slightly off one shoulder as the sleek black sports car engine purred like something out of a dream, and the tinted window was already down. 

Denji Grayson leaned toward the passenger side, his blonde hair catching the golden afternoon light streaming through the trees lining the academy’s exit road. Those striking blue eyes locked onto mine. Still blank but definitely staring at me.

“Get in,” he said again, his voice calm and deep, like it was the most normal thing in the world. Very normal that the school's golden boy was asking me to get into his car. 

I blinked hard, glancing around me in disbelief. Left, right, empty sidewalk except for a couple of distant students heading to their own rides. No one else was nearby. 

Was he seriously talking to me? 

My heart hammered against my ribs. This had to be some kind of joke. Or maybe I’d hit my head harder in the cafeteria than I thought. Denji Grayson, the golden boy, the billionaire heir, the guy who’d barely spared me a glance before today, was offering me a RIDE?

“Flora,” he sighed, leaning further across the console to pop the passenger door open with a smooth click. It swung outward invitingly, revealing the plush leather interior that probably cost more than my entire house. “Aren’t you heading to my place anyway? To babysit Johnathan?”

I nodded slowly, still processing as my mouth felt dry. “Y-yeah. I am.”

“Then get inside,” he repeated, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. “I don’t bite. Promise.”

I stood there for a few more seconds, my thick thighs shifting uncomfortably in the new uniform skirt. Thoughts raced through my head like... What if this is a setup? What if Selene and her friends are watching from somewhere, ready to laugh? What if he suddenly changes his mind and drives off? 

But the memory of him defending me in class, shutting Selene down so bluntly, pushed me forward. I adjusted my bag and climbed in, the door shutting with a heavy, soft thud behind me.

The seat was incredibly soft, enveloping me like a cloud. I sank into it, hyper aware of how my body filled the space, how my skirt rode up just a little on my curvy legs. Denji waited until I was settled before pulling smoothly away from the curb, merging into the light traffic heading toward the upscale neighborhoods.

This isn’t happening. Denji Grayson is driving me. He actually spoke to me. More than once. I gripped the edge of my seat, staring straight ahead at the dashboard that glowed with fancy digital displays. The car smelled like clean leather and a hint of his cologne. I wondered what expensive brand he used. It's scent was fresh and woody that made my head spin a little.

Suddenly, Denji leaned across the console toward me. Way too close. His face was inches from mine, blue eyes staring directly into my brown ones. My breath caught in my throat, heart slamming so hard I thought it might burst. I could see the faint stubble on his jaw, the way his blonde hair fell slightly over his forehead. Oh god, is he going to... No way... Am I about to get my first kiss? From Denji? My mind blanked and I wanted to pass out right there.

He held the stare for what felt like forever, then reached down near my hip. Click.

The seatbelt fastened securely across my lap. Denji pulled back to his side, settling into the driver’s seat with a small chuckle. “ I've been trying to tell you to buckle up, but you seemed completely out of it. You okay?”

My face burned furiously. A deep blush spread from my cheeks down my neck. I nodded quickly, fiddling with the strap. “Y-yeah. Sorry. Thank you.”

“No problem.” He glanced at me once more before focusing on the road, his hands steady on the wheel. Such capable hands operating the wheels like a pro. 

Snap out of it Flora! You're getting a free ride so don't ruin it!

The car hummed along, the academy shrinking in the rearview mirror. I sat there, nerves jangling like live wires. To calm myself, I started pinching the skin on the back of my hand with my fingers, twisting it just enough to feel the sharp sting over and over again.

It was an old habit, one I’d picked up years ago. When my father would come home drunk and swinging, yelling about money or calling me worthless, pinching grounded me. Kept the tears from falling, kept me from breaking completely. Before I knew it, it became a habit. One I must admit I actually hated.

Denji noticed after a couple of minutes. His eyes moved from the road to my hands. “Do you do that all the time?”

I paused, confused, looking down at my fingers. “Do what?”

“Pinch your skin like that,” he said, nodding toward my hand. “It looks like it really hurts.”

I froze, releasing the skin immediately. Red marks were already forming. “Oh. I… I only do that when I’m nervous,” I admitted anxiously, my voice barely above a whisper. I tucked my hands under my thighs, hoping he wouldn’t ask more.

Denji’s brow furrowed slightly. “You’re going to leave a deep mark if you keep doing that. Might want to find a better way to handle the nerves.”

I just nodded, not knowing what else to say. If only it were that easy. The pinching had been my secret shield ever since Dad started hitting me regularly after Mom died. It was pain I could control, unlike everything else. But I wasn’t about to dump all that on Denji Grayson. He was just giving me a ride because of Johnathan. Nothing more.

The ride fell into silence after that. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut through steel like paper. I stared out the window at the passing mansions and perfectly manicured lawns, feeling completely out of place in this luxury car. 

Denji must have sensed it too because he reached over to the center console and turned on some soft music. Gentle acoustic guitar filled the speakers, followed by a smooth male voice singing about lost chances and new beginnings. It eased things a bit, the melody wrapping around us like a buffer.

I risked a sideways glance at him again. He looked relaxed, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on his thigh. His letterman jacket was tossed in the back seat, and his school shirt hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. 

Why is he being nice? After ignoring me at home for so long? The questions swirled but I kept quiet.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only twenty minutes, the massive Grayson villa came into view. The gates opened automatically as Denji approached, and he drove up the long driveway lined with blooming flowers and tall trees.

We pulled to a stop near the front entrance and I unbuckled quickly and reached for the door handle. “Thanks for the ride,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I really appreciate it.”

Denji nodded, his blue eyes meeting mine again. “Anytime, Flora. See you inside.”

I stepped out, closing the door carefully, and practically charged toward the house. My legs carried me fast, eager for the familiar routine. Finally, I could breathe peacefully without him right there, filling the space with his presence and making my stomach do flips. The heavy front door opened easily, and I slipped inside, the cool air conditioned foyer welcoming me like an old friend.

I headed straight to the small staff changing area near the kitchen, peeling off the school uniform and slipping into comfortable clothes. A loose t shirt and soft leggings that didn’t dig into my curves. Much better. I tied my hair back into the usual two braids and adjusted my glasses before making my way upstairs to Johnathan’s room.

The sound of video game explosions and cheerful cartoonish music greeted me before I even opened the door. I pushed it open to find the six year old sprawled on the plush rug in front of his massive TV, controller gripped tightly in his small hands. His blonde hair (so much like his brother’s) was messy, and he was muttering strategies under his breath.

The game looked different from the old one and I knew immediately that Denji kept to his promise. 

I groaned playfully, leaning against the doorframe. “I’m here already, kiddo. Time to pause that game and say hi.”

Johnathan glanced over his shoulder, his face lighting up for a split second before he remembered he was supposed to be stubborn. “You're here already? Let me finish my game! Why can't you just be late!” he groaned with irritation.

I walked in and ruffled his hair gently, sitting down cross-legged beside him. “Late? I have to be on time so I can leave on time, you know. And look at you playing games immediately when you should be doing your homework. You haven't even touched it yet, I bet.”

He pouted, pausing the game dramatically. “But Denji just got me the new game this morning! Stop yelling at me! You’re supposed to help me, not boss me around.”

I laughed softly, the sound easing some of the day’s tension. “Bossing you is literally my job, Jonathan. Remember our deal from yesterday? Homework first, then victory laps on the controller.”

He grumbled but scooted closer, grabbing his backpack from the corner. “Fine. But you have to help with the math. It’s stupid hard.”

“Deal,” I said, pulling out his workbook. We settled in, him leaning against my side as I explained the simple addition problems.

His little body was warm and he seemed calmer today compared to older days. I guess the new game really did a good job calming his stubborn ass down. 

As we worked, my mind drifted back to the car ride. Denji’s closeness, the seatbelt click, his concern about my pinching. He noticed. Actually noticed me. It was terrifying and thrilling all at once. But I pushed it down, focusing on Johnathan’s frustrated sighs and triumphant cheers when he got a sum right.

“You’re getting better,” I encouraged, marking off another problem. “See? Not so stupid after all.”

Johnathan beamed up at me. “Hmph. Only because I'm a smart kid.” My heart melted a little. “Yes, yes you are, buddy.”

Downstairs, I could hear faint voices and I knew it was probably Mr. and Mrs. Grayson arriving home. The thought of facing Denji again when it would be time to leave made my nerves spark, but I shoved it aside. One step at a time. That’s what I kept telling myself.

Johnathan tugged on my sleeve. “Flora? Can we play one quick game before mummy calls for dinner? Please please pleaseeee?”

I sighed but smiled. “One quick level and then you're back so I can get home on time.”

He cheered and restarted the game, handing me the second controller. As we played side by side. 

Soon we managed to wrap up the game after his endless complaints and bargaining for "just one more" 

I finally got him to finish up his homework and even put his things in perfect order before agreeing to play with him again. Sometimes I sorta felt like we related to each other more than his little brain could see. 

He was the kid in the house and everyone had busy lives. Except for me, he had only his friends in school so he spent most of his time playing video games once he was home. He looked so happy when I agreed to play with him.

I only wish I could've had someone like that when I was younger. Or at least anyone. 

Maybe I would be different,

Maybe I would be slim,

Maybe I would be... Happy.