A/N: So here is the next chapter, I hope you guys have enjoyed the first two chapters as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
Smart Owl - as usual I love your reviews. So, I already had you hooked after one chapter, it means I must be doing something right. I'm glad you like Lex's character, yes, she is very charismatic, isn't she? Were you able to pick any of the Aussie slang and phrases? I think Lex may have already put Spencer on a pedestal. Yes, the 'mystery', the question now is, does she reveal it to anyone or will she keep it hidden?
As usual please leave a review and let me know what you thought, good or bad. If you have any ideas or prompts for one-shots, feel free to send them through PM. Enjoy :-) Jarrad
I walk into the bathroom and quickly enter a stall, putting down the lid I sit with my head in my hands. "You can do this Lex, it was a long time ago, it's in the past." I take a few deeps breaths. Okay that's a little better. Now you know you can do this, push it down and get back out there. You have probably already freaked them out enough so what do you do? I know, just pretend it didn't happen, that should work. How is it that these girls have already started to poke at my walls, testing the structure, seeing if it's sound? I chuckle to myself, Blondie is like a wrecking ball, but Spencer just looks at me with those eyes and I feel my foundations trembling. After a few minutes I decide I have had enough time to wallow and exit the cubicle. I walk to the basin and look at myself in the mirror, I don't look that bad, a bit of colour has drained from my face and my eyes are a little wider than usual but I'm okay. I splash some water on my face, "Now go out there and act normal."
Walking back to the girls I can hear them talking amongst themselves, "I hope she's okay."
"Shh Han, here she comes now." Spencer looks at me with worried eyes and sympathetic smile. All the girls seem wary, but I just try to shrug it off and pretend that my mini freak-out didn't just happen.
After sitting down and chewing on my straw for a full minute I decide I'm going to have to be the one to break the awkward silence, "So I heard you play field hockey on the school team Spencer, you any good?"
"I like to think so. Do you play?" Spencer looks at me with her big chestnut brown eyes, seemingly searching mine for some explanation as to why I freaked out earlier. I can feel myself getting lost in her eyes and I forget the question until she speaks again, "Well do you?"
"Sorry? Oh no I don't play but I don't mind watching it. I have a friend that plays, and I would go to all his games. I'm more partial to playing tennis, and that same friend, Matt was my mixed doubles partner. We played in two separate weekly comps, two mixed matches and one game of women or men's doubles."
Spencer smiles at the fact that I seem to be back to my normal self. "If you're interested I can invite you out to the country club as a guest and we can have a game or two."
"My grandparents are actually members of the country club, they have been for years."
"Oh yeah? What are their names? I might know them, or my parents would."
"Sophie and Arthur Clarke."
"I think I might have met your grandfather before, is he tall, slim, salt and pepper hair, likes to play golf?"
"Yep, that would be my Gramps." Spencer shakes her head and chuckles to herself, "What's so funny?"
"Sorry, I just remembered, your grandfather was telling my father and I that you were going to be moving in with them about a month ago. He also told me that he thought that you and I would get along. Seems like he was right about that."
I just smile and fidget with my straw, still a little anxious about earlier. "So, what have you gorgeous sheilas got planned for today?"
"Well I'm meant to be going to the movies with my little brother Mike this afternoon, but you guys are welcome to tag along if you like." Offers Aria.
"Thanks Ar but Mona and I are going to hang out at the mall. What about you guys?"
The blonde look to Spencer, Emily and I, "I was going to go into Philadelphia to buy a new tennis racquet and a few other things. You're both welcome to tag along if you want."
"I don't have any plans and thanks for the offer Lex, but I think I might take Aria up on her offer for a movie. More my pace after working since six this morning." Emily smiles at me before looking at the petite brunette.
"That's okay Emily."
"I was thinking I might go home and lay by the pool and read a book off our summer reading list but going for a drive in your car with the top down beats reading by the pool."
Hanna gasps, "What is going on with you Spence? Are you sick or something?"
Spencer turns to the blonde with a look of confusion, "What? I'm not sick, why would you think that?"
"Well you're being less of a super nerd than usual, and now you're blowing off a chance to read something off our summer reading list, so you can go shopping with Lex." Hanna looks past Spencer to me, "I've been trying to get this one to come shopping with me for the past month, but she keeps turning me down." Nodding her head towards the tall brunette in between us, "You have to tell me your secret."
"I don't think Spencer is coming for me, she wants Sally."
"Who's Sally?" Aria asks intrigued.
"Oh, Sally is my car."
Spencer chuckles, "You named your car Sally?"
Hanna shoves the brunette, a bit too hard because she ends up bumping into me, not that I minded, any close contact with Spencer gives me goosebumps. "You shouldn't laugh at Lex's name for her car."
Hanna scowls and Spencer just ignores her, "Mustang Sally?"
"Bloody oath mate. Couldn't have named her anything else."
"I accept your apology." Spencer puts her arm around Hanna's shoulders, but Hanna tries to shrug her off. "For the record Han, I'm going because I need to get a new hockey stick."
"You can't accept an apology if I didn't apologise." Hanna exclaims, and I chuckle, then she suddenly stops struggling and her eyes widen looking up at Spencer she asks, "It's Lex, isn't it?" Spencer takes her arm back and takes a sip of her coffee.
"What's me?" I look between Hanna and Spencer waiting for an answer. Spencer shrugs while Hanna smiles wide.
"You're rubbing off on our nerd here. She has known you for a total of five minutes and she is already loosening up."
I can see Spencer is getting a little uncomfortable, so I try to redirect the conversation, "What time do you want me at your place Spencer? Or should I just lob over whenever?"
"Lob over?"
"Should I just turn up?"
"What time would you like to go? I just have to drop Aria and Hanna home then I will head home."
"Okay cool. Text me your address and I will drop Emily home after we go for a hoon around in Sally for a bit, top down of course." I wink at the raven-haired girl, "That good with you Emily?" She nods.
"Well to do that I would require your phone number." Spencer smirks and leans against me as she pulls her phone out of her pocket and hands it to me, the musky scent of her perfume invades my nostrils and I greedily inhale it. After I enter my number into her phone I hand it back. "Thanks."
"You should put your number in mine too." Says Emily, "But only if it's okay for me to have it."
"And why the bloody hell wouldn't I want Rosewood's best barista to have my number? What if I ever have a coffee emergency like yesterday?" I joke and hold out my hand waiting for the swimmer's phone.
Aria pulls out her phone too, "While you're at it Lex." I take Aria's phone as well, a minute or two later I hand both the girls back their respective phones.
"Now you all have to shoot me a text, so I have yours as well." All four girls start typing.
-It's Aria :-)
-Rosewood's #1 barista here
-Lex, it's Spencer, this is my number, obviously
-Hi Lex, it's your absolute favourite blonde ;-)
"Hanna, you do realise I already had yours, don't you?"
The blonde shrugs, "I didn't want to feel left out." She juts out her bottom lip in a pout and I chuckle.
"It's okay Blondie. Now what names do I put you all under? That is the question." I tap my finger on my chin and smile, "Hanna is already under Blondie, but I will have to get to know you three better before I think of nicknames for you guys."
"I don't know if I should feel privileged or feel short-changed that you gave me a nickname almost instantly."
"Oh, definitely privileged. I don't just call you Blondie because of your hair colour."
"Really? Why else?" Asks the sceptical blonde.
"Well there was a famous rock band back in the late 70's and early 80's named Blondie, and they had a massive hit called 'One Way or Another'." Hanna looks at me perplexed, so I continue, "And you remind me of that song. I know it was written about a stalker, but it has been used in movies to show pure determination as well. They used the song in the Rugrats movie, so it can't be that bad. I feel like you will go out of your way to get what you want, that one way or another you will achieve your goal. And I have a feeling if you set your sights on a guy, he doesn't stand much of a chance." I wink.
"Aww thanks Lex, I definitely feel privileged now."
"But I can picture you as a psycho stalker too." I raise my hands as the blonde glares at me, "I joke, I joke."
"Ha ha, very funny. Oh, I just remembered, I still have to give you your jersey back. I'll bring it over when we all come over to your house."
"Yeah okay thanks."
"Okay I'm obviously missing something. Why would you have Lex's jersey?"
"Don't you remember Spence? I told you and Aria that Lex ran into me yesterday and spilled coffee all down my front."
"Yeah, I remember that, but I don't remember anything about Lex lending you clothes."
"I just lent Blondie my footy jersey, no big deal."
"Footy?"
"Rugby League, it's a sport we play back in Australia. It's my favourite sport to watch. I bet you sheilas would enjoy watching it, big strapping blokes running around in tight shorts."
"Tight shorts you say." Repeats Hanna, sounding excited, "You will have to show us a little bit of a game or something when we come over. But I'm going to be sad to have to give your jersey back, it's really comfortable."
"Maybe I will buy you one for your birthday or Christmas or something. But only if you're good." I wink.
"Well she's out already then." Chuckles Spencer as she nudges the blonde.
"Yeah, I'm a very bad, bad girl." Hanna says as she bits on her fingertip seductively, a smirk on her lips.
"Are you trying to seduce me Miss Marin?"
"If it means I get to keep your jersey, yes." She smirks.
"No can-do mate, that is my favourite jersey. It's also a limited edition, so I definitely can't let it go."
"Hey how did you know my last name? Are you the stalker?" Hanna raises an eyebrow and smirks.
"No, I just remember Emily said she knows you and your mother's orders and she said Mrs Marin. So, I just assumed that Marin was your last name too."
"Okay then, I believe you. Thanks to Emily you know both my first and last names, what next Em, my address?"
I chuckle, "I already know where you live."
"Oh yeah. Well next it will be my middle name."
"It's Olivia."
"What the hell Spence?" Cries Hanna as she glares at her.
Spencer chuckles, "Sorry but you were asking for it Han."
"Whatever." Huffs the blonde as she crosses her arm across her chest.
"So what movie are we going to see with Mike?" Asks Emily.
"Rear window."
"Okay, I have never seen that before."
I look to the petite brunette, "Original or remake?"
"The original of course, Grace Kelly was a wonderful actress. I love all the old movies and actors and actresses, Grace Kelly, Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart just to name a few. Men were gentlemen and women were elegant."
"I can imagine you in one of those movies actually."
"Really?" I smile and nod, "Thanks."
"Speaking of movies, we should probably get going if we want to catch the early showing. Or otherwise we will have to wait until tonight."
"Well I'm ready to go whenever you are Emily." I say as I finish the last of my iced chocolate, "We can ditch these three and go for a drive." I wink at the swimmer.
"Okay, I just need to use the restroom and we can go." I smile as she stands and walks away.
The token blonde leans forward and looks to me, "So Lex, what are your plans for you and Spencer's trip into Philly?"
"Well we both need to visit a sports store so that's the first stop, then where ever Spencer would like to go and maybe grab a bite to eat before we come back home. Is that okay with you?" I look to the brunette sitting beside me and she smiles and nods.
A small smile appears on her lips and if I'm not mistaken there is a twinkle in her eye. "Sounds good. Are you ready to go Ar? Han?" Both girls nod. Hanna grabs her phone and handbag, while Aria finishes the last of her coffee. Soon Emily returns and we all grab our things, say our goodbyes and leave the Brew.
Before we go our separate ways, I call out to Spencer, "Don't forget to text me your address Spencer."
"I won't. I will send it when I get to the car, I promise." I wave to her, Aria and Hanna as I walk with Emily towards my car.
Once we reach the car we both put our bags in the back and jump in. I put the top down and start the car. "You can connect your phone for some music if you like."
She nods and pulls out her phone from her pocket.
"I know you like Spencer."
"What?"
"I know you like Spencer." Those words echo around in my head. How could she say that so nonchalantly like she was talking about the weather, I think to myself as Emily connects her phone to my stereo and 'Write on Me' by Fifth Harmony starts playing.
"I don't know what you're talking about Emily."
Emily chuckles, "Well you should try and tell that to your face. I had a feeling, but I wasn't one hundred percent, but you just gave yourself away."
"Please don't tell anyone please, especially Hanna. I have a feeling she wouldn't let me live it down."
"Don't worry Lex, I won't tell anyone, I just wanted you to know that I know. And yeah Han would not let you forget she knew."
I rub the back of my neck before pulling out into the street, "Umm thanks I guess. How did you know? You obviously knew, or you wouldn't have teased me about it earlier."
"I saw the way you looked at Spencer when I was talking to her and Aria at the counter. You were pretty much like a cartoon character with love hearts in your eyes and the heart shape beating out of the chest. But you didn't see me watching you because you only had eyes for Spence. I'm a little jealous, yesterday you were spilling coffee because you were looking at me and today you're fawning all over Spencer. But seriously I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to."
Focusing on driving I take a deep breath and ask the raven-haired girl beside me, "So do you think it's obvious to everyone or just you?"
"I don't think the others picked up on it. Hanna normally would have, but she was too busy flirting with you to notice, that girl is as blunt as a hammer sometimes." Emily says shaking her head.
I chuckle, "I've noticed. But that's okay, I like it. It means she won't take my shit and I know she will most likely be honest. But I think Spencer might know too."
"Oh?"
"Yeah." I sigh.
"Are you worried?"
I turn to quickly look at the swimmer, "I don't know, should I be?"
"No, I don't think so, Spencer isn't the kind of person to make you feel bad or treat you any different for having a crush on her. She will most likely pretend she doesn't know. Why did you think she knows?"
"Well she was all touchy feely when she was looking at my tat and then when she was feeling my scars and all that, her fingertips brushed mine and my breath hitched a little. I'm not sure if she noticed that but I have a feeling she did because then the next time she placed her hand over mine and I could feel her warm breath on my neck, and I completely froze. Then to make it worse, as she ran her fingers up my scar she exhaled onto my neck and it sent a shiver down my spine, then she giggled. I then sarcastically told her I had so much fun setting off metal detectors at the airports because of my ankle hardware and then she husked in my ear something like, 'I'm sure it is for the TSA agent who gets to pat you down'. I know she is your best friend but damn, her voice is so sexy, with that husky, smokie and raspy tone she has."
"It's okay, I totally agree, she does have a very attractive voice. You should hear her after she just woke up, it's so husky and deep."
"Whoa, I just got goosebumps thinking about it."
Emily chuckles, "Just imagine when you get to hear it for real."
"Wow, I would expect that from Blondie but not you."
"Lex! You need to get your mind out of the gutter. That's not what I meant, and you know it. I was referring to a sleepover with the girls, we should have one next week or something."
"Seeing you four beauties in skimpy pyjamas having pillow fights? Count me in." I let out a small laugh.
"Oh my God Lex, have you ever been to a girl's sleepover? There is obviously more than that, there is going to be ice cream, mini fashion shows, watching a lot of rom coms, dancing around while singing into our hairbrushes, braiding each other's hair and gushing over boys too." Emily and I both begin to laugh.
"Oh yeah sorry, how could I forget about those?" I chuckle, "Gushing over boys is my favourite part."
"Mine too." We exchange a quick look and crack up laughing.
"So, I'm your type huh?" I tease.
"Maybe…you're hot, so far I think you have a great personality and you're gay so that always helps." She chuckles, "Oh and your eyes, they're gorgeous. I don't think I have ever really saw green eyes that dark before."
"Thanks, you have beautiful eyes too." My phone starts buzzing in the centre console, "I guess that's Spencer sending me her address. Could you do me a favour and reply back 'thanks' for me?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I trust you."
The swimmer picks up my phone and unlocks it, "Umm Lex?"
"Was it not Spencer?"
"Yeah it was. This isn't your girlfriend, is it?" She points to my phone wallpaper, a brunette and I are looking loving into each other's eyes.
I chuckle, "No Em, that's my best friend back home, Carly. Were you worried I was going to cheat on my girlfriend?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." I can tell by her voice she is embarrassed.
"It's okay Emily, you're not the only person to think that. Quite a few people thought we were a couple, even my family thought it at one stage. You probably get that too, I'm thinking with Hanna the most."
Emily quickly replies to Spencer's text and places my phone back in the console. Emily laughs, "A few times Hanna and I have been hanging out in Philly and people have thought that we were on a date."
"That's the problem with being gay, if you're spending time with a girl you must be dating."
"I know, it's so annoying."
"Nah mate, what's annoying is if you don't know if a sheila is into girls or not, or you're flirting but they think you're just being nice. And it's like 'no, I'm trying to flirt with you'."
"That's why I don't make the first move, I let them come to me. Then I don't get embarrassed by hitting on a straight girl."
"I doubt you would have trouble picking up."
Emily clears her throat, "Umm well that's enough about me. What kind of music do you like?"
"A little bit of everything. If you looked on my phone you would see that I like a lot of the top 100 but I range from Fifth Harmony to Fall Out Boy to Evanescence to Missy Higgins, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, Eminem, and so many more. I also enjoy a bit of Mozart too."
"Wow, wide range there."
"Yeah. What about you?"
We then spend the next twenty minutes or so driving around chatting away before we decide it's probably time to take Emily home. Pulling up to the kerb I turn the ignition off. "So, what did you think of Sally?"
"Oh, I'm definitely with Han on this, I didn't want to come home either, feeling the vibration of the engine and hearing it, especially with the top down. Good choice with that by the way."
"Thanks, well it is my dream car."
"You're so lucky Lex."
"I'm just lucky my grandparents are loaded and want to spoil me."
"I was wondering something but it's okay if you say no, I don't want to make you uncomfortable…"
"Whatever it is Emily just ask me. The worst that will happen is I say no."
"Umm, can I look into your eyes?" I chuckle, "Well that just sounded creepy, I just want to see your eyes close up, so may I?"
"Of course. I just warn you now, there is a very high chance that you will fall in love with me." I put my sunnies on top of my head and lean across the centre console. Emily takes my face in her hands and we stare into each other's eyes for at least thirty seconds.
"Wow, they're even more beautiful and unique up close. Emerald green with a gold ring and darker green and black flecks."
"Yeah. You're not falling for my Aussie pride eyes are you Emily?" I joke, and she playfully shoves my arm.
"Jerk."
"You didn't deny it. Damn it, that's why I really left Australia, everyone kept falling for me. It was either move to Rosewood or live in the Outback. Oh well, I guess I will just have to wear these all the time now." I put my sunglasses back on and smirk, "And keep you at arms-length at all times."
"Ha ha very funny Lex. Well thanks for the lift. Have fun with Spence in Philly." The raven-haired girl says as she grabs her bag and hops out. "If you want Spence, maybe you should just get her to look you in the eyes. Bye Lex." She calls and waves as she walks up her pathway. I wave back while shaking my head. I start the car, but I wait until she is inside before leaving and driving to Spencer's.
I arrive at Spencer's, hopping out I grab my bag and throw it in the boot before walking to the front door. I ring the doorbell and wait. I saw two cars in the driveway so I'm assuming one of them is Spencer's, but I can't be sure. I pull out my phone and begin typing a message when I hear movement inside the house, so I hold off on sending the text. After about thirty seconds I ring the doorbell again and almost immediately the front door opens to reveal a brunette who looks to be in her early to mid-twenties, "Hello, may I help you?"
"G'day," The brunette quirks an eyebrow, I guess it's the accent, "I'm looking for Spencer."
"Who may I say is asking?"
"Sorry, I'm Lex. I'm here to pick up Spencer, we're going into Philadelphia to do some shopping."
"Okay, come in, you can wait for Spencer in the living room." The brunette gives me a small smile as she moves aside so I can come inside and then she closes the door behind me. I follow her into the living room and take a seat on the lounge while she walks over to the kitchen island and takes a seat on a stool in front of a couple of textbooks and quickly writes something down, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, but I just had to finish that, or I would have lost my train of thought. I'm Melissa, Spencer's sister." She introduces herself with a curious look on her face.
I stand and shake her hand, "It's nice to meet you Melissa."
"Can I get you anything to drink?"
"No thank you." I smile.
"Okay, well I will go find Spencer and let her know you're here." I nod and sit back down, I look around the room and begin to drum my fingers on my knees, a nervous habit of mine. A few minutes later she returns from upstairs, "Spencer is just getting changed and she wants me to tell you she won't be too long." I look up to see Melissa watching me, "So how do you know my little sister? I've never seen you around."
"I only met Spencer today, we were introduced through Hanna, who I only met yesterday. I'm new to the area, well actually the country."
"I take it from your accent you're Australian. I don't mean to pry, but why move half way around the world? You're not on the run, are you?" A playful smile appears on her lips.
"Yeah I am." The smile quickly fades, "From Australia I mean, I moved here to live with my grandparents while my parents are in Peru for work."
"That would be hard, moving away from all you friends, and your parents." The brunette gives me a sympathetic smile.
"It's okay, we came and spent Christmas and New Year here every year, so I already know a little bit about Rosewood, it's just the people I don't know. But now I know Spencer and her friends, so I don't think it will be all that bad. And at least I get the whole summer before school starts. I would have been royally screwed if I had to start part of the way through the school year. I would have had Buckley's chance of settling in then."
"Are you trying to impress my sister with your Australian accent and phrases?" Spencer says from the bottom of the stairs.
I turn to face her and place a hand on my chest feigning shock, "I would do no such a thing."
Spencer rolls her eyes, "Sure…" Looking at her sister she continues, "Can you tell Mum and Dad that I will be having dinner in Philly with Lex, so I might be home late."
Melissa eyes Spencer and they share a few looks, it's like they are having a silent conversation. I take this time to admire Spencer's change of outfit, she is now wearing a red and black tartan shirt which is unbuttoned to show a bit of her chest, a pair of black high waisted shorts, black over the knee socks and knee-high boots. Her hair falling in loose curls from underneath a black floppy brimmed hat. Not that I'm complaining because she looks stunning in her new outfit but I'm wondering why she changed.
"Okay. Have fun you two. It was nice to meet you Lex." Melissa winks at me as I stand and walk towards Spencer.
"It was nice to meet you too Melissa." Looking at Spencer I bow while extending my hand across my body in the direction of the front door, "Shall we?"
Spencer smiles wide, "We shall." As we get to the front door Spencer mumbles, "You're such a dork."
"Oi! I heard that."
"I was hoping you would." She smirks before walking out the door. Is she flirting with me? I think she is, but I don't want to get the wrong idea, I will just have to keep doing what I'm doing and see how that goes.
When we get to my car we hop in and start the car but before we start driving I turn to Spencer and ask, "Would you like to grab a coffee or something for the road?"
"Yes, that would be nice. Good idea Lex."
"I do have them sometimes." I wink as I pull away from the kerb. "Feel free to connect your phone for some music, or you can connect mine. It's in the console there."
"Well it's your car and you're driving so we should listen to your music too." Spencer opens the console and grabs my phone before closing it again.
"There's a playlist on there, called 'bitza'." As I pull up at a stop sign I watch Spencer unlock my phone and she frowns. Oh crap, I think I need to change my wallpaper to another picture. "She's not my girlfriend."
Spencer looks at me, a blush creeping into her cheeks, "I didn't say anything."
"I know, but if you were thinking what Emily thought then you were thinking I have a girlfriend back home. But I don't, that's my best mate Carly." I swear I see Spencer relaxing into her seat. "I just didn't want you guys getting the wrong idea about me. I would never cheat on a girlfriend, hell, I wouldn't cheat on a test if I had the chance, I'm just not that kind of person."
"Well that's good to know. So bitza?" Spencer asks as she open my music.
"Yeah as in bits of everything. It has music from all different genres."
"Found it." Spencer presses play and 'Paper Walls' by Yellowcard plays through the speakers.
"So, we will just swing by The Brew, I will run in grab us some drinks and then we can head off."
"Okay."
We soon arrive at the Brew and I run in, grab a coffee and a hot chocolate and return to the car. Spencer doesn't see me coming and I can hear her faintly singing along to Adele's 'Hello'. "Did you ever make it out of that town, where nothing ever happened?" Wow she has a beautiful singing voice.
"How do you know about Forbes?" I chuckle when I see Spencer jump in her seat.
Spencer grabs at her chest, "Lex, you scared me."
"Yeah I noticed." I smirk and hand Spencer her coffee before opening my door and getting in. "Let's go." I say as I press on the ignition button. Once we get onto the highway I ask Spencer where we should go for our sporting needs.
"Well, I usually go to Dick's Sporting Goods."
I chuckle and mutter, "Dick."
"Really Lex?"
"What? I can't help it I have a dirty mind and I'm immature sometimes." I look over at the brunette and smile.
Spencer shakes her head, "Yeah I'm beginning to see that. You're so much like Hanna in that way."
"There's nothing wrong with that. Now you will just get extra crass and more entertainment if we all hang out."
"Great…" Says Spencer sarcastically.
"So back to shopping, after we go check out racquets and hockey sticks what would you like to do after that?"
"Well I was thinking about getting a new tennis skirt and shirt, but I will just get them at Dick's." I snicker, and Spencer softly hits my leg, careful not to startle me while I'm driving. "Then I was thinking we could go to the mall, there is one right near Dick's." I can see out of the corner of my eye that Spencer is pointing her finger at me, "Don't you dare." I turn and look at the brunette and feign innocence, "That's right." She says with a sly grin. "Are you going to be looking for anything other than a racquet?"
"Yeah, I need some tennis outfits for the country club, I don't think my usual tennis attire will suffice now that I live here. And I was thinking I might go check out some of the shoe shops, might grab a new pair of shoes, and maybe a few new hats."
"Hats?" What kind?"
"Not what you're trying to keep on your head, that's for sure." I lean over and take Spencer's hat from her head.
"Hey!" She tries to grab her hat back, but I put it in between my seat and the door.
"What? Ever since you got in the car you have had to hold it down, I'm doing you a favour. Why would you even wear it if you knew we were going to have the top down?"
"It completes my outfit."
"Well that is true, it looks cute."
"My hat?"
"No, your whole outfit. Especially those socks and boots." I look over at her legs and bite my lip.
"You didn't answer my question. What kind of hats?"
"Trucker hats, caps, flat hats, snap backs. I like hats and shoes."
"High heels?" Spencer tries to sound serious, but her smile gives her away.
"Nah, I like skate shoes and thongs." Now it's Spencer's turn to snicker, "Damn it, I mean flip flops." Spencer chuckles, "But thongs are nice too, just not on me though, I don't like the feel of butt floss, but I don't judge those who wear them." I quickly look at the brunette beside me and I smirk, we both have a good chuckle.
"I hope you don't expect me to answer that."
"It's okay, I don't expect you to, I'll just let my imagination run wild."
"God you're worse than Hanna sometimes. Oh, I just remembered I need to buy some new cleats as well, but other than that, I don't have any other plans for anything. I'm happy to tag along while you look at new shoes and we can even stop in at Victoria Secret, you can buy some thongs for your collection." Spencer laughs when I shake my head.
"You don't need to make excuses if you want to go buy yourself some lingerie, I will even carry your bag for you so you're not embarrassed."
"No need Lex, I'm not going in there. Well not today anyway." She looks at me and winks, I swallow hard.
When we arrive in Philadelphia, Spencer had already put in the address for the sports store into my GPS, we happily listen to the music and Spencer will point out different stores to me as we drive. Pulling up at a set of traffic lights I give Spencer back her hat, "To complete your outfit." I smile, but it's soon wiped off my face when a Mercedes pulls up in the lane beside us and the driver decides to wolf whistle at me and Spencer.
"Hey sexy ladies, you need a real man to show you a good time?"
I just look at Spencer and roll my eyes. "Are you seriously trying pick us up at traffic lights?"
His mate in the passenger seat calls out, "You just need a good fucking that's all."
I know the light is going to change soon so I decide to mess with these douchebags, "You wanna have some fun with these guys?" Spencer nods, "Okay follow my lead." Turning to face the other car I call out, "Sorry to disappoint you two drongos but this lady here…" I put my arm around Spencer, "Is the only fuck I need." I lean over and kiss Spencer on the cheek, it looks like we kissed before we gaze into each other's eyes, "Best sex I've ever had. So, thanks for the offer but we'll have to decline." We both then turn to look at the guys with smug looks on our faces.
The traffic lights change to green and we drive off. But we can faintly hear "Whatever dykes." as we enter the intersection.
I turn to look at Spencer who is grinning widely, "I have to admit, that was pretty fun."
"So, it didn't weird you out? I'm just sick of dickwhackers like that. And of course, they were driving a Mercedes."
"No, it was fine, I liked messing with them, you should have seen their faces when you kissed me, it was priceless. And what do you have against Mercedes?"
"It's not really Mercedes, it's European cars in general, I prefer muscle cars like Sally here." I rub my hand across the dash lovingly.
"So, you don't like any European cars?"
"Nope." I make sure to pop the P.
"Not even Lexus?" I see the brunette smirk.
"Definitely not. It's too close to my name, Alexis, Lexus, no real difference, so no way do I like Lexus cars. My Gramps used to always tease me when we talked about my dream car, he used to say it isn'ta Lexus is it? And then he would have a good laugh."
Spencer chuckles, "That is pretty funny. I think I know what I'm going to call you from now on."
"Don't you dare."
"Oh, I'm going to Lexus." Spencer tries hard not to laugh.
"Damn it." I chuckle, "Well I'll just have to think harder for a name for you." We turn a corner and a thought hits me, "I got it, Harry."
"I'm confused, who is Harry?"
I glance over and smirk, "You are. Harry, short for Harriet the spy. Seeing as you always seem to be finding a way for people to open up to you, so you must be a spy and you seem like the kind of person who knows more than you're letting on."
Spencer laughs, "Well I do always need to get to the bottom of a good mystery and today that mystery just happens to be you."
When we arrive at Dick's I put the top up and we go inside to look for our sports supplies. We decide to split up and look for our equipment separately and then meet up to try on some outfits and find Spencer's cleats.
"Shoot me a text when you're done getting your hockey stick and we will go look at some shoes for you."
"Okay, good luck finding a racquet, but just so you know, it won't do you any good, I'm gonna kick your butt when we play."
"Oh really?" I arch an eyebrow and Spencer smiles sweetly, nodding before she walks away. Damn that girl. I look around and find the tennis racquets, I pick up a few and after a while I see a tall blonde guy walking towards me, "Hello ma'am, my name is Brad. Can I be of any assistance?"
I chuckle, and he frowns, "Did you seriously just ma'am me? If you must call me anything Lex will be fine."
A small smile appears on his face, "Okay Lex, I see you're looking at our range of racquets." I nod, "To help you first I need to know what kind of player you are and what price range you're looking at."
"Well price isn't really an issue and I'm a power hitter."
"Okay, for power I would recommend the Wilson Burn FST 95." He hands me the racquet and I start swinging and serving to get a feel for the racquet, it feels pretty good.
"And why is that?"
"Honestly, I own and play with one myself and I have sold quite a few and have had no problems or complaints. The only thing is we don't sell it strung, so you can pick your own string. Do you have a particular string you use?"
"No, I would just go with what the guy at my local store recommended. So, any suggestions?"
The blonde smiles and walks me over to the strings, "Hmm," he looks around for a few moments before he finds what he is looking for. "I would recommend this." He hands me a pack of Wilson NXT 17 string, "It will give you a ten percent bigger sweet spot and will help keep vibrations to a minimum which is always good."
I nod and smile, "If you think it's best I'll get that too. I'm also after a cheaper racquet as a spare."
"I think I have the perfect racquet." We walk back to the racquets and he grabs a Head racquet and hands it to me, "This racquet is currently half price, so you're getting a pretty decent racquet for a cheap racquet's price."
I have a few swings. "Yeah it's good. Now I just need a bag to put them in."
"If you would follow me Lex I will show you the bags we currently have on offer. So, it's only for the two racquets, maybe a water bottle?"
"Yeah, I like the backpack style if you have any of those."
"Certainly, we have the Wilson, the Nike and a couple of others."
"Oh, I like the look of the Nike one." I say as I pick it up and open it. "Can I try it out?"
"Go ahead, here you go." He hands me the Wilson racquet and I put both racquets in the bag. "Hmm, I even have room for my sweatbands, phone, keys and water bottle."
"Yes, this bag has a few zippers and pockets for all your small items like that."
"I'll take it. So how long will it take to string the Wilson?"
"Umm about thirty minutes."
"I'm assuming I have to pay for the racquet before it will be strung?"
"Yeah sorry, store policy."
"That's okay mate, I can pay for it now and I will just be looking at tennis attire, so I will check back when I'm done."
"Okay great, let's go ring this up so we can get this strung." I follow Brad over to the sales area and as I'm about to pay I get a text from Spencer, 'I picked out my stick and my cleats too. I will meet you by the clothes.' I pay and ask if it's okay if I leave my purchases here until I'm done shopping.
"Sure, I will just put it behind the counter for you. Just don't forget to take it with you."
"I won't, thanks so much for your help mate, you're a top bloke." We exchange smiles and I wander off in search of Spencer.
I soon find her at a rack of tank tops, "May I be of assistance?" Spencer jumps and then glares at me, "Sorry." I offer a weak smile.
"It's okay, did you get what you needed?"
"Yeah two racquets and a bag. One of the racquets is getting strung now. The sales guy Brad was nice. So, seems like we both got what we needed."
"It seems so and did you say Brad?"
I quirk an eyebrow, "Yeah why?"
"He is always hitting on me when I come in here. Did he flirt with you?"
"Why? You jealous?" I quip, and I could have sworn I saw the beginning of a blush before Spencer turned her back to look over the next rack.
"No. I was just curious."
"I don't think he was, but I could be wrong. It has happened before."
"Oh, are you admitting having been wrong in the past?"
I smirk, "No, I meant guys have hit on me before."
Spencer turns around with a white and red tank top pressed against her chest, "Lexus, what do you think of this?"
"It looks okay, but I'm not sure until you put it on."
"You just want me to do a mini fashion show for you, don't you?"
"I wouldn't mind one." I wink at the brunette, "But I'm being serious, that kind of thing looks totally different on your body. So how about we both grab a few things and go try them on?"
Spencer breaks out into a smile, lowering her voice she husks, "Only if you show me yours."
"Harry, we're in public, I'm not going to show you my junk in the changing room." I chuckle as Spencer blushes, "Of course I will."
"Okay well I want to try on this, ooh and this one." Says the brunette as she pulls out a teal polo shirt, "I also want to try on a dress or two, and a few skirts. You should try on a skirt too Lex."
"Pfft, like that's going to happen." I start looking at a rack of shorts and I pull out a pair of burgundy shorts, these look good.
"What if I told you I would eat a whole piece of toast with Vegemite on it? Even if I don't like it."
I smirk as I get an idea, "Deal."
Once we have a few things to try on we head to the change rooms. Picking two next to each other we try on a shirt and bottoms, "You ready Harry?"
"In a second," she calls, I step out of the stall and patiently wait, when she walks out my jaw practically hits the floor and my mouth is instantly dry. "So, I guess you like it?" Asks Spencer as she does a twirl. She is wearing the red and white tank top and matching skirt.
"Umm, yeah. The pairing looks good on you." I suddenly realise Spencer isn't wearing a bra and I try to look away, but I can't seem to do it.
"You look good too Lex." I dumbly look down, trying to get my body to work again, I'm wearing a purple polo shirt and a pair of white basketball shorts.
"Thanks. So, do you."
Spencer giggles, "You already told me that." And with that she nudges me playfully as she walks past me back to her change room.
After a few minutes we are both outside the change rooms again, this time Spencer is wearing a white tennis dress with black back and black piping on the front. This outfit is even more revealing of Spencer's long legs. "Jeez Spencer, legs for days."
The brunette chuckles, "Does that mean you approve?"
"Bloody oath. So, did you notice I'm wearing the skirt you picked out for me?"
Spencer looks me up and down, her eyes stopping at the hem line of the skirt, "It looks really good on you." Her eyes then head north but stop at my chest, I'm wearing a tight tank top, so it brings a lot of attention to my breasts, of which I'm not lacking.
"Do you like this top? I'm thinking it might be a bit too tight across here." I wave my hand across my chest.
Spencer quickly averts her gaze and mutters, "Umm maybe, but it looks good."
"Well maybe I shouldn't buy it then, I don't want to get in trouble at the country club."
"No, no you should get it." I smirk when I hear her voice crack the tiniest bit.
"Okay, but should I get this blue and black one or get it in white?"
Spencer looks me directly in the eye, I can see her straining not to look down, "That one, the colours are broken up, it deflects from your chest slightly, but the white will just bring more attention to it."
"Hmm, I might buy the white one and wear it now, meet some chicks at the mall, and you seem to like it." I smirk when I see Spencer's cheeks flush and she looks down at her feet, "I was only joking Harry. I'm here with you to go shopping, not to pick up sheilas. So, come on, let's try the rest of our stuff on."
"Okay. Just so you know you should really buy that skirt, it looked good on you, it shows off your legs." My feet stay planted for a moment as I watch Spencer walk back into her dressing room. I wonder if she knows exactly what she is doing to me?
We change outfits a couple more times and we decide on what we are buying. I end up with a polo shirt, and the tight tank top that Spencer seemed to like a little too much, a pair of basketball shorts, and a pair of tennis shorts that Spencer was practically drooling over and said they showed off my tan legs, so who am I to turn down compliments like that. Spencer went with the tennis dress and the matching outfit she first tried on first. I also grab some sweatbands. We move to the sales area and pay for our items and pick up my racquets and bag. "Oh crap, I forgot to get a new ankle brace, I'll be back in a minute." Spencer nods and Brad indicates to the area of the store I need, and off I go in search of the braces and guards.
Finding them I pick one and return to the sales area to find Brad hitting on Spencer, and her looking a little uncomfortable. I stand close to the brunette and whisper, "Are you okay? Do you want me to tell him to stop?"
"No, I have a plan." Next thing I know she is wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me into her side, looking Brad right in the eye, Spencer kisses me on the cheek, "Lexus baby, I can't wait to see you in that tank top again, it hugged you in all the right places." She bites her bottom lip and looks down at my chest.
I swallow hard before regaining my composure and I run my free hand across Spencer's stomach and pull on her long necklace, "Anything for you babe." I pull away and take the backpack and put it on, taking our bags in one hand and with my free hand I take Spencer's and entwine our fingers, "I know how much you love to drive with the GT's top down so let's go."
Brad standing there stunned, he clears his throat, "Umm thanks for shopping at Dick's and have a nice day."
"Oh, we will and an even better night." I wink before I start walking towards the exit, Spencer following closely, our hands still entwined. When we reach the car in the car park I look over and see Brad at the door, mouth hanging open as I open the door for Spencer, once she is seated I lean in and say, "Press that button there and the top will go down." Spencer nods and presses the button I pointed out, I look back and Brad is still standing there just watching, I chuckle, "I think we have an audience Harry."
"I think you're right."
I leave and go put our purchases in the boot. When I get to the driver's side I open the door and look up to see Brad still creeping on us. "Hey Spencer, we should wave to our fake relationship's biggest fan." She smiles and we both look over at Brad and wave. I have never seen someone move so fast in my life. I practically fall into the car in a fit of laughter. "That fucker could give Usain Bolt a run for his money. You got him good Harry." I look at her and she is beaming, "Not that I'm complaining because obviously I'm not, but why did you think to mess with him like that?"
"Well after what we did to those two guys earlier I thought maybe it would work now because he wouldn't stop hitting on me. I told him I wasn't interested but he didn't seem to care."
"I gotta hand it to ya, that was awesome. I thought it would be me and Hanna doing that kinda thing, so you surprised me to say the least."
"Maybe Han is right, your badass-ness might be rubbing off on me after all." She winks as she puts on her seat belt.
"So where is the shopping centre? Oh sorry, mall."
"Just drive out that way and I will direct you." She points to the exit of the car park.
"Okay, you ready?"
"Yeah let's go Lexus baby." Spencer husks as I start the car.
Once we have found a car park we head inside, "Lexus, you should go in there. They look like they have a big selection of shoes." I look to where she is pointing and see a wall completely covered in stilettos.
"Umm I'll take a pass thanks. But feel free to go give yourself legs for weeks instead of days." I smirk.
"Maybe next time, and you can come along and carry all my bags." She chuckles.
"Oh, if you asked I would, Monte made me do it all the time if we went to another town shopping. I was her personal Sherpa and we liked to mess with people like those guys earlier and Brad."
Spencer turns and looks at me, "Don't let Hanna hear you say that and who's Monte? An ex?" She asks intrigued.
"Oh no sorry, I always called my best mate Carly, Monte. I started calling her Carlo then she became addicted to monte carlo biscuits so then it evolved into Monte Carlo and then just Monte."
"Hmm, so you love giving everyone nicknames, don't you?"
I nod and smile wide, "Yeah but most Aussies do it. We shorten everything or give it a nickname. I think it's because we're so lazy with our speech and we're just so laid back in general."
"Yeah you are. So, I was thinking maybe we would go to the food court and grab a drink before we start shopping, we need to stay hydrated." Spencer smiles.
"Yeah, nah for sure."
Spencer stops walking and looks over at me, "What does that mean? Are we going or are we not?"
"Yeah, let's go." Spencer doesn't move, she just raises an eyebrow, still confused. "Sorry, 'yeah, nah for sure' means definitely."
"Well why didn't you just say that?" Spencer chuckles. "Or are you having fun confusing me to no end?"
"Well to be totally honest, it is pretty fun. But how about this, I educate you a little more in Aussie lingo, you up for a mini lesson super nerd?"
"Yeah, nah for sure."
"Oh, calm down smarty pants. Now 'nah, yeah' means yes but 'yeah, nah' means no."
"It sounds like you're just really indecisive."
"True, I can be sometimes."
"Like chocolate or vanilla, or which shirt should I wear today. But when it comes to the big things, I'm usually decisive. I see or know what I want, and I go after it." I say truthfully.
"Well let's go get something to drink." Spencer starts walking away, she turns around, "Lexus are you coming?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm coming." We walk in a quiet silence to the food court, "So what would you like Harry? Wherever and whatever you want. I'm shouting."
"Umm I was thinking about getting a smoothie, what about you?"
"Smoothie sounds good." We both head over to the smoothie stand.
"Hi, what can I get you?" The cute redhead asks smiling at Spencer and I as we approach the counter.
"You can go first Spencer, I'm still deciding." I look up at the board, hmm, the one with strawberries, banana and mango sounds good. Spencer orders her smoothie and then I place my order. We move to the side and wait for our drinks.
"So where do you think we should go first?"
"We're here shopping for you but from where we are I think the skate shop is close. So probably there first."
"Okay mate, I'm trusting you not to lead me astray or let me max out my card by buying half the shop. So, don't let me buy more than two pairs of shoes and a few hats. Because I could go a little loopy in there."
Spencer chuckles as we grab our drinks and go find a table, "I think I can manage. But how exactly do I stop you?"
"Umm, grab my phone and call Monte. She'll rope me in. I'll send her a text letting her know that she might get a call from me, well you. Or, you might have to…no don't worry."
"What is it?"
"You might have to slap me to snap me out of it." I say quietly.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Monte kissed me to make me stop dead in my tracks, but I would never ask that from you. You can just slap me." I feel my cheeks getting warm.
"Okay well a slap will be the last resort. How crazy are we talking?" Asks Spencer, worry evident in her voice.
"Remember when I said I couldn't come over here that one Christmas when I broke my ankle?" Spencer nods as she takes a seat, "Well Gran and Gramps wired my parents money to put on a debit card and that year they gave me more than usual because they felt bad for me, but also because everything is so cheap over here compared to back home. So, I was like 'let's go Monte, shopping spree,' I think I blacked out while I was in Canberra with her for the weekend, so we could go shopping because I remember getting excited when I hobbled into my favourite shop and I saw they had heaps of new stock for Christmas. If it wasn't for Monte I would have ended up buy six pairs of shoes, eight or nine hats, a few shirts and shorts and a cool watch, but I don't really remember any of it until I felt lips pressed against mine. Then I snapped out of whatever shopping trance I was in and immediately put half of it back. She realised that if I ever started to freak out with an anxiety attack or in some cases a shopping overdose, she had to shock me and, in her case, it was by kissing me and it always worked. Personally though, I would rather the slap than to be kissed by my best mate, she is like a sister to me. But she didn't want to hurt me by slapping me, so she said she went with the next best thing."
"She isn't into girls at all, but she kissed you on multiple occasions?"
"Yeah. She made 'I kissed a girl' her ringtone for me, she used to always joke when we enter any shop, even the fish and chip shop and say, 'can you control yourself or will I have to pucker up?' and would start applying lip balm. But she had always said that if she was ever going to kiss a girl she wanted it to be me because there wouldn't be any confusion about what it meant, and I would treat her with respect."
"With respect?"
"Not slipping in the tongue or getting handsy." I say nonchalantly.
"Oh." Spencer and I both have some of our smoothies and I send of a text to Monte just in case before falling into a conversation about music with Spencer.
When we finish our drinks, we head to the skate shop and after nearly an hour we leave and I'm very impressed with myself for my restraint. I buy myself a new pair of blue and black Vans sk8 hi and a pair of burgundy Etnies and a couple of hats, a batman 9fifty being my favourite.
"Well I'm done, are you needing to go anywhere Harry?"
"No, I'm good. I bought what I needed already."
"Okay, well do you want to accompany me back to the car and we can drive around for a while before we find somewhere to eat?"
"Yeah okay."
I smile, "Lead the way Spencer." Spencer begins walking in the direction of the exit and I am quickly by her side. "Do you have any suggestions for tea?"
"That's a random question but chamomile is very soothing, so it will help you relax."
"Oh no, I meant what or where you would like to eat, so dinner."
"Oh, sorry that makes more sense. Do you like burgers? Because I know this cute little diner that makes the best hamburgers."
"Burgers it is then."