He’s all shades of trouble

Valerie

"Valerie, come over here," my mom let out excitedly. Seeing her hug Rick with such innocent passion irked me. If only she knew he was a bad boy with ill intentions for her only child.

"Come on, Valerie!!!" She called again, while I quickly moved to their side.

"This is Rick, he just moved in next door with his parents here. Rick, meet my daughter, Valerie. She keeps to herself, but I'm sure you'd be able to figure something out once you get to know each other." She said with much enthusiasm while I subtly rolled my eyes.

I won't ever understand why she always thinks I need a new friend when I have all the friendship I need in Kamala.

"Wow, it's so nice to meet you Valerie. I'm glad to know you." I didn't hear a word he said. I wasn't interested.

"Do you two know each other before now?" My mom suddenly asked, and that was when I realized Rick and I had been staring at each other.

"Uhm… yes, we m…"

"No, we don't know each other and never met either." I quickly cut in sharply before he said another word.

He had a naughty smug on his face, but I didn't care.

We introduced ourselves, and then went to the dining room, where my mom served us.

Rick's eyes were fixated on me the whole time, making me uncomfortable as they trailed my body. I ignored him though, because I didn't want anything to do with him, and I didn't want our parents having some silly ideas.

Just before I took the last bite, I felt his leg press gently on mine, and it made me jerk forward.

"Are you alright, dear?" My mom asked, while I smiled softly.

"Yes, mom, I was just leaving. I'll do the dishes." I replied, and then left for the kitchen.

I heaved a sigh of relief once I was out of Rick's reach.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to avoid me. But I'm right, and you know it too." Rick's voice suddenly sounded from behind.

"Please leave," I said with an attitude.

"I will leave… if you agree to show me around the city," he replied, while I turned to look at him and shook my head.

"And why would I ever do that? I'm sure you know everywhere already. After all, it wasn't hard for you to find the restaurant," I countered.

"I'm new to this city, and why can't you? That's what friends do."

"My answer is no. I can tell your intentions aren't good, and I'm not interested in whatever you have in mind." I said sternly.

"And we are definitely not friends!" I added.

As I turned to leave, he was right there in my face and then swung me around, pinning my back against the counter, while he pressed his body to mine.

"What the…"

"You really think I'm a bad boy?" He cut in sharply, his baritone voice sending chills down my body.

"Yes, you're a bad boy, and I'm not interested in the bad things you do." I managed to steady my voice but the weakness in it could still be heard.

"If you are not interested, why can't you look into my eyes then? Scared you'd fall for me if you did?" He quizzed.

I knew he was baiting me, and I wasn't going to give him any power over me. I looked up and then stared into his eyes, but he was right. The more I stared, the more I felt my defenses crumble.

I could feel myself slowly drowning in his blue eyes, and I knew I desperately needed a way out.

Just then, we heard the door handle turn and I quickly pushed him off.

It was my mom, and Rick wanted us to get caught. He had a naughty smirk on his face that showed he indeed wanted it.

"Thanks for the food, Mrs Stanley. I really enjoyed it." He said to my mom, who smiled.

"You can just call me Rose." She replied while I rolled my eyes and walked out.

I went straight into my room, and crashed heavily into the bed. It felt like my whole life was falling apart right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything.

My relationship just fell apart, and there was Rick, pissing me off and pulling my attention from what matters. Dave.

"What? He did what? Why would he do that?" Kamala exclaimed over the phone.

I was slowly going crazy, I knew I needed to talk to someone, and Kamala was the only one I could share my business with.

She's the only one who knows about Dave and me. He had his reasons for asking that we keep things on the low till we were both in college. I wasn't sure my parents would be in support too, so it felt like a great plan.

Looking back now, I realize he never really had a reason. He had been after my body the whole time, and was hoping to get it soon and then break up with me.

That's it. He would have gotten what he wanted before anyone even knew we were together.

"Something about discovering himself and how it isn't fair to lead me on since I wasn't ready to give him my body." I let out disappointedly.

"Oh my… I'm so sorry, Val. I can't believe he would do something like that. I mean, he seemed really into you." She whined while I sighed.

"Of course, I thought so too, but it's all clear now. It was just a means to an end. He only wanted my body," I added.

"To think he couldn't even…"

"Excuse me," I let out, cutting her short, so I could be sure if I heard right.

Someone was knocking on my window, and it got me scared a bit. It was the first time I would experience such.

"What's that?" Kamala asked.

"I'll call you back in a minute." I chimed in and then hung up.

"Who's there?" I leaned over and asked, ready to scream my lungs out at the sight of an intruder.

"It's Rick, your bad boy." I rolled my eyes immediately I heard his voice.

Of course, I should have known he was the only one who would try such nonsense.

"Go to bed, Rick." I said to him.

"Not until you come out, and I see your pretty face," he countered.

"There's no way I'm…" I hadn't even finished when the window opened and he jumped in.

"How the heck did you even do that?" I let out, checking out the window to see how he got in. I never even thought it was possible for someone to jump in.

"Let's just say I don't give up when it comes to getting what I want," Rick asserted.

"Please Rick, you really need to leave. I can't have my parents come in and find you here. Please leave." I pleaded.

"Do you really want me to leave?" He quizzed while I nodded desperately. I was really scared my mom would come in and see him. She stays up late and randomly checks on me before going to bed.

"Yes, please." I quickly affirmed.

He curved his lips in surrender, and I was happy he was finally leaving. However, just as I stepped forward to lead the way back to the window, I was suddenly pulled back.

Rick grabbed my waist and pulled me close to his chest, staring at me seductively.

"I'm not one to play games, we are adults, so I'm just going to say things the way they are." He let out.

"Please, Rick. We are teenagers, not adults." I quickly countered him.

"Well, I will be turning nineteen in a few months, so I'm an adult. We could get pregnant tonight and decided to marry." He let out.

"That's you, and I don't care. I'm not doing all that till I'm out of college and in love with the right man… not a bad boy with…"

He shut me up when he suddenly pulled me closer, causing me to bump into him, and our chests pressed against each other.

He smiled and I knew it was intentional.

"I'm going to get you by all means, Valerie. I want you, and I'm not going to stop until you're hooked up on me. I'll be your greatest addiction. He said confidently while I blanked out.

I've always been sure about a lot of things in my life, but Rick? There was something about him that made me feel different. Right from the moment he walked into my home, I knew I'd regret it. His voice, touch, smile, and presence all have an effect on me. He was a sneaky playboy, and his flirting, wild, presence would throw my calculated perfect persona into disarray. And that scares me so much.

Getting involved with Rick would only cause me trouble and I had to make sure it never happens.