Chapter 3 : My First Flirting Lesson

Deborah’s POV

“You help me and I'll help you get Caleb,” Liam said. “And boom, you'll be swinging fifth base in no time.”

Unable to understand what he was driving at, I stared at Liam. 

It seems he realized my confusion so he added, “That's a sexual reference for you seeing as you want to have sex with Caleb.” 

I take a deep breath, “It's not just sex, I love Caleb,” I replied, adjusting my glasses on my nose. “I've been saving myself for him,” I added even though I know a guy like Liam wouldn't understand. 

“So, do we have a deal?” Liam asked. 

“Okay. But I need to clear something up. Swinging fifth base?I thought it was sinking in dunks as we don't have bases in basketball.”

Liam chuckled and replied simply, “You have some work to do.”

“You think I'm a joke, right?” I asked Of course everyone in the school had turned me into a laughing stock, he wouldn't be any different.  

“It's called teasing, Deborah,” Liam laughed simply with a light jab on my shoulder. 

Seeing that I wasn't laughing, Liam turned serious and asked, “do you want Caleb or not?”

That question sounded like a lifeline, it did not matter who was holding the rope as long as it got me the love of my life. With a small hopeful smile on my lips, I replied, “So, you'll teach me how to flirt and…you know, do things?”

Liam's eyes widened a bit, “You want me to teach you how to kiss, Deborah?” he asked as he slowly walked towards me, his eyes on my lips. 

“I just want to know what Caleb would expect,” I replied, looking up to him as he was already standing an inch away from me. “I'm not super familiar with this kind of stuff,” I confess. 

“Alright,” Liam replied simply. “Maybe we should tackle it in order. List it for me.”

Without missing a beat, and using my fingers to enunciate, I replied simply, “Flirting, fashion, technique.”

Liam chuckled softly, “Okay. It seems you've spent some time thinking about this.”

I chuckled in response. Of course I've spent a larger part of the last ten years of my life thinking about this. 

“Alright,” Liam replied. “Flirting skills first, and then boom fifth base.”

“Sounds good. Just don't forget about fashion,” I remind him with a hopeful smile, holding the edges of my cardigan for emphasis. 

“Cool. We need a deadline,” Liam said again. “How about that fundraiser dance for the basketball team. You could make your big move there.”

“But that's only over three weeks away,” I replied, already panicking. That was a really short time. How was I supposed to learn everything by then? 

It seemed Liam noticed my panic, “Calm down. You're not that hopeless,” he replied. “We can meet up tomorrow morning to discuss tactics.”

“Okay. That sounds good,” I replied with a small relieved smile. “My whole life is gonna change,” I giggle excitedly trying my best to hold in my excitement. “Go team,” I added, stretching out my clenched fist for a fist bump. 

As Liam stretched out his fist to fist bump mine, I stretched my hand open before he could, making him fist bump my open palm instead. “Oh snap, gotcha,” I said, then turned to leave.

It didn't matter that Liam had a confused look on his face, I'm sure he wondered what geeky joke that was. But I was in high heavens, I was too happy to care. 

***

The next day, I wore my cardigan–I saw it as my goodluck charm since help had come to me while I was wearing it. As soon as I finished my 8am online safety and security lecture, I walked quickly towards my room—I needed to get a few assignments done before meeting up with Liam in his room. 

As I turned around a corner I heard a familiar voice, “Deborah, just the person I wanted to see,” Olivia said, her voice sounding like she was carrying a tune. Two of her minions stood behind on either side of her, it was as if they were her contact shadow. 

Oh shit. This can't be happening right now. 

“I wanted to say that I'm sorry about yesterday,” Olivia said, looking really apologetic. 

My eyes widened in surprise as I replied, “you did?”

“Yeah. I was just really really insecure because I really like Caleb,” Olivia admitted, “but I should've reacted that way.”

“Yeah, It's okay,” I replied. I knew Caleb was a really hot guy, so it was no surprise that Olivia, the captain of the cheerleaders would be interested in him too. Since I could understand that, it was really easy for me to forgive her. 

“Did you hear about the keg party happening tonight? You should totally come,” Olivia offered excitedly. “All of us lost our virginities at keg parties, didn't we girls?” she asked her minions behind her. 

“Totally,” they both replied while doing one of their cheerleading moves with their hands like they always did. 

As soon as they were done, Olivia walked past me with two of them in tow. 

What had just happened? I ask myself, trying to process what Olivia had just said. Was she inviting me to a keg party? I knew Olivia was a bully as I had seen her bullying other kids, did she really want to be friends with me? I wondered as I continued the walk to my room. 

A little while later, I'm sitting on my desk getting some homework done. I heard my door open, as I looked up, I saw Liam walking in. 

“What the hell, Deborah? Do you even live here?” he asked, his gaze sweeping around my room. “It's so freaking neat.”

“I like things organised,” I replied, a little impatient at the interruption. As I turned my head back to my books, I heard a ruffle sound. 

“What are you doing?” I asked with lifted brows as soon as I saw one of my drawers open. 

“I'm just checking to see if your underwear is color-coded,” Liam replied with a mischievous smile on his face. “They probably gave the maths solution of the week on them,” he added, peering into the opened drawer.

What the heck? I exclaim in my head. This is the exact reason I don't like this dude. Quickly getting up, I shut the drawer, “My underwear is none of your business,” I replied, standing in front of Liam. 

“I think it kind of is,” he began, stepping closer to me, “that is if you want my help with Caleb.”

Looking up at him, I realise he was right but that did nothing to stop my resolve. “Can we please stop talking about my underwear?” I muttered. 

Without another word, Liam stared into my eyes. It seemed like his eyes were peering into my soul, seeing all the hidden places I had kept away from the world. With his eyes still on mine, he slowly removed my glasses and stared closer. “What are you doing?” I muttered, trying not to seem nervous. 

“You have such incredible eyes, Deborah,” Liam whispered, his voice sounding a bit rough and husky, “I never noticed how beautiful there were before.”