Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

Without realizing it, time passed quickly as we stood in line to buy pizza and placed an order for delivery to Dave and Rowan’s home-a small surprise gift for them. The sky stretched clear without a cloud in sight, with the midday sun shining brightly in early November.

Lunchtime had begun, and most people were enjoying their packed lunches at the wooden tables. Laird and I chose to sit under a shady tree without a mat, letting the grassy ground serve as a comfortable cushion.

I was nestled in Laird’s embrace while we playfully fed each other pizza with affectionate giggles. From a distance, I noticed several young children starting to arrive at the small baseball field in front of us, filled with enthusiasm in their baseball uniforms.

“Hey, look. They’re the Little League team.” I looped my arm around Laird’s.

“Yup. Brings back memories,” he said, his gaze drifting over the scene in front of us.

“Yeah, Laird. You used to be so dedicated to playing baseball. Do you remember when I used to sell snacks every week at your Saturday games?” I asked before quickly kissing Laird’s jaw.

“How could I forget? You sold snacks to earn extra money to buy a birthday gift for the new boy who moved from England,” his voice softened, and he squinted at me.

“Hey, but I was genuinely happy to watch you play baseball every week back then. I even followed your games until you moved to the senior team in middle school.” I leaned my body against Laird’s, who leaned against the tree trunk.

“Yeah, the field for the senior team was farther from the field I used to play on as a kid. I lost my regular supporter then,” he said, wrapping both his hands around my waist.

“It wasn’t just you who felt lost in middle school. We went to different schools, and you no longer practiced on the field near our house. I missed you so much then,” I said, our arms now resting on each other’s arms.NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

“I don’t even remember how I got through middle school without you. Everything felt bland back then.” Laird buried his head against my shoulder.

“But you surely remember our first kiss, right? I think it was something like this under a tree on the edge of your favorite baseball field.” I turned my head and looked up at him.

“How could I forget?” he asked, his thumb stroking my lips.

***

Laird and I have always been together since we were kids. We’ve been neighbors since birth in Boston. Our parents had been friends for over fifteen years before we were born.

I was in the same class as Laird almost every year in elementary school. However, because Laird was expected by his father to attend a prestigious academic school, I parted ways with him in middle school. He went to an accomplished international private school, while I attended a regular private school nearest to home.

During that time, our relationship stretched quite thin. We only met a few times a year during summer vacations or Christmas holidays. Until one day, Laird’s only younger brother, Lloyd, asked me out.

Yes, it was quite crazy.

Lloyd was in 7th grade at the same school as me, while I was in 9th grade. Somehow, Lloyd asked me out on a date. To make matters worse, in the late afternoon after our date, on my way home, I parted ways with Lloyd and unexpectedly ran into Laird, who had just returned from baseball practice.

***

Nine years ago, at the end of 9th grade…

We chose to sit under the big tree, but without any mats at all. When we were kids, our teacher would bring us here to sit without mats during class hours. We also often sat under this tree after Saturday matches. Then we listened to Laird’s laughter every time he won a match or his disappointment every time he lost.

“So, has he gone home?” Laird asked again.

“He’s gone home,” I replied, still looking intently at Laird.

“Don’t you two commit to dating right away?” he asked again.

“No.” I shook my head. “He wants today to remain a memory of a fun first date.”

Laird mumbled and nodded. We sat in silence for a moment to enjoy the sound of the gentle breeze rustling the leaves.

“So, how was it? Was your date really fun?” he asked.

“Yes, of course.” I answered honestly.

“Where did you go?”

“It’s a secret!” I said. “Your questions sound like you’re interrogating me.”

“I’m just a curious spectator because I missed one of your secret episodes.” Laird was clearly defending himself.

“Stop asking. Besides, you’re asking as if you’ve never been on a date with a girl before.” I teased him this time.

“I haven’t.” Laird raised an eyebrow.

“Lies!” I exclaimed loudly.

“Are you judging me?” This time, a mischievous smile played on his lips.

“A guy like you must be popular at school. I can’t believe you’ve never taken any girl out on a date.” I hugged my knees to my chest with a jealous and annoyed look on my face.

“Thank you for your opinion, but I’m not a popular guy.” Laird still smiled lopsidedly.

“Actually, I’m curious. You, the beautiful and popular cheerleader at school, are willing to go on a date with Lloyd, the bookworm.”

When Laird said that I was beautiful and popular, my face turned red again. I lightly hit his shoulder, and he chuckled.

“I’m not popular,” I protested.

“So, where did you two go?” He persisted in asking the same question with his typical mischievous smile.

“I told you, it’s a secret.” I responded with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. I buried my head in my knees and insisted on not answering.

“Well, then, are you hungry?” He offered a piece of sandwich wrapped in food paper. “These were handed out by the coach earlier.”

“No.” I shook my head after peeking briefly.

“Come on, just a little.” He persuaded me again.

“No, I’m full. My stomach can’t hold any more food after the burger and ice cream.” I kept my face buried in my knees.

“Oh, so you went for burgers and ice cream? I guess you went to the shopping area near Fenway Park,” he chuckled as he put his sandwich back into his bag.

I suddenly lifted my head and glared at him with a pout. Damn it! Once again, he managed to pull an answer from my mouth. I felt like pinching my own lips for being so easily trapped by his trickery.

“Stop it, Laird.” I groaned and pinched his arm. He just laughed again, trying to avoid my pinch.

“That’s hurt. Why am I not allowed to ask?” He again protested, rubbing his pinched arm.

“Why do you keep asking? Are you interested in me? Are you jealous?”

This time, I asked with a high tone. I knew I was foolish to challenge him with such silly questions.

There’s no way he likes me. Surely, he’s just asking to tease. Surely, for him, I’m just an entertaining clown.

“It depends,” he said casually, this time with both hands behind his back, supporting his body.

“Depends on what?” I asked with a furrowed brow and a blunt tone.

“It depends on whether you reject him or not.” He said this again without a mischievous smile.

I don’t know why Laird’s suddenly serious tone made my heart almost jump out. His dark green eyes seemed to penetrate my mind, searching for answers forcefully.

“Why do you care?” I replied curtly and buried my face in my knees.

“Come on, tell me. Are you going to date him?” He nudged my arm with his index finger.