CHAPTER 005
the art of eye contact

January 10, 2005

VANESSA

"WHOA, WHOA, WAIT," Alec exclaimed, his mouth stuffed with chips. "That overgrown fucker hit your sister with a ball?"

  After an interesting first day of Tommen, and staying with Shannon at the hospital, Vanessa ended her day with a long shift at the Dinniman. From seven to eleven, she'd be waiting tables, serving rude customers, and getting a fortune of tips from rowdy men. Some days were bearable than others, especially if she and Aoife picked up the same shift.

At least tonight, Alec and Podge were here They sat at their usually table, invested in Vanessa's day. They'd also be giving her a ride home, since it was late. Though Vanessa could easily walk, she got used to either Alec or Podge, or sometimes both, picking her up making sure she got home at night.
 
  "He's the one in the Academy, right?" Podge questioned, grabbing food from Alec's plate. "all professional and shit?"

  "Ding, ding, ding," Vanessa replied. "and now she's staying overnight in the hospital."

   "Well if he is with the Academy, I doubt he hit Shannon on purpose," Podge reasoned. "I mean, what kind of eejit ruins his chances like that?"

  Vanessa considered his words. "Fair point. He did seem genuinely sorry."

  "The lad knows he wouldn't survive a day in jail," Alec snorted. "and he has no chance of making the under 20's."

"He's a shoe in for the summer tour!" Podge argued.

When the conversation shifted to rugby and technical sports stuff, Vanessa used this time to go on to serve other tables. She put on her best grin, as she approached a group of older men, who each gave her a huge load of euros for a tip. They were regular customers, who loved when she served them. She stuffed it in her pocket, walking back to her friends smugly.

"Looks like someone has fans," Alec looked at her amusedly.

"Cillian and his friends adore me," Vanessa shrugged, wiping table next to them. "for obvious reasons," she said, flipping her hair dramatically to make a point. "It's a shame you guys don't tip me like this."

"They want to take off your skirt."

"and Podge already did—" Podge threw bread at his face, giving his friend a glare.

"and maybe I'll let them." Vanessa said nonchalantly, then held back a laugh seeing Podge and Alec's faces drop. "Oh my God, guys I'm joking."

Podge and Alec both looked relieved.

"Do you really think that low of me?" Vanessa rolled her eyes. "giving myself to some fifty year old man?"

Alec snickered. "Right of course, because you're some holy Virgin Vanessa who—"

  "Okay, conversation over!" Vanessa instantly cut him off, taking a handful of chips from his plate before walking off.

She stifled a laugh as she heard the boys complaints.

  "Hey! This is against the rules, you know." Alec exclaimed with mock-seriousness. "You can't go around taking costumer's food."

  "So unprofessional," Podge shook his head. "I will be speaking to your manager."

"The place is closing in ten minutes, better eat fast!" Vanessa said, her mouth stuffed.

  Ten minutes later, Vanessa closed the pub up, walking home with her two body guards. She held out her palm, looking at Alec expectantly. Alec reached into his pocket, holding a pack of cigarettes. He gave one to Vanessa.

"Thank you, you're the best," Vanessa balanced the cigarette on her lips. Alec gave her a lighter to spark it up.

"You guys do know, I'm more than capable of walking myself, right?" Vanessa spoke, exhaling a cloud of smoke coming out.

"Oh we know," Podge grinned. "but what kind of gentleman would we be if we let a poor, beautiful, maiden walk in the dark, scary night?"

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "I'm a big girl, Podge. I can handle my own shit."

"I hear you, loud and clear," Podge chuckled amusedly. "You Lynch twins are the same."

"Except you're hotter and much more sexier," Alec winked.

"Flattery isn't getting you anywhere, Dempsey."

"I'm kidding. Joe would murder me. I'm doing you and Podge a favor, you know? If he finds out what happened two years ago—"

"Shut up!" Both Podge and Vanessa groaned, their faces flushing a they remember a certain incident.

Alec burst out laughing. "It's fucking hilarious. Seriously how the hell did he never—"

  "One more word and I will kick your ass."

  "Yes ma'am."

   They walked her over to her lawn. Right as Vanessa opened the door, she found Joey already on the other side. His expression was unreadable, and she had a feeling it had to with their mother. He must've found out about Shannon.

  "Joe—"

  "Not now." he shook his head as he quickly walking past her, shutting the door behind him. Vanessa had a feeling he'd be paying Aoife a visit.

  She walked into the dimly lit kitchen, where her mother sat with her head in her hands, sobbing. Vanessa decided she didn't have enough energy to deal with her anymore. She quietly made her way upstairs, briefly checked on her younger brothers, then made her way to her room.

  She sat in front of her mirror taking off her makeup with wipes. As she took off her concealer on her neck, she winced as she touched a particular sore spot. A new purple bruise that formed today, a result from her father's hands on her neck right when she came home. After hearing about today's troubles, he wasted no time calling her and Shannon preppy whores who wasted their money. Especially with the hospital expenses. Vanessa made a remark of his useless contributions to the family household, and he must've gotten his ego bruised, which led to him bruising her in return.
She stared blankly at her reflection.

It was her job.

Her one job was to protect Shannon, and she couldn't even do that. Vanessa knew she shouldn't feel this guilty, after all, it was that stupidly handsome—never mind, just stupid—Johnny's Kavanagh's fault. Him and his horrible aim.

But even with that, she couldn't fully be angry with him. In fact, she was grateful for him and his friend for staying with her in that office. Especially Declan, that same sad boy she saw at that party on Saturday. Him and Shannon seemed really close. But Vanessa did not want to think about that.

  She didn't want to think of anything at all. Vanessa didn't want to think about her sister in the hospital, Joey's delicate sobriety, the new baby, her parents, Johnny Kavanagh, or any of the shit going on in her life. She wanted to block everything out. Her mind made a mess of everything. She just wanted pure silence. An escape for once.

But she was okay.

She had to be okay.

January 11, 2005

  THE NEXT DAY, Vanessa walked through the halls with Katie and Hughie for her second day of school. Vanessa yawned for the millionth time that morning.

"You okay, Nessa?" Katie asked concernedly. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

Two hours.

"I'm fine," Vanessa waved her off. "just a little tired from work."

"How's Shannon?" Hughie questioned.

"In the hospital right now, but she'll be back at school next week."

"Shit."

"Yeah, shit." Vanessa agreed.

"Look I know you probably hate Johnny right now, and you have every valid reason to, but—"

"I don't hate him, Hugh. I'm just...not his biggest fan."

"Well speak of the devil," Katie mumbled, looking at something in the distance amusedly.

Vanessa followed her gaze, seeing two boys, blonde and brunette approach, Gibsie and Johnny. Gibsie seemed to be talking animatedly about something, while Johnny seemed mildly paying attention. Gibsie caught her eye and smirked at his friend, elbowing him to look in her direction. Johnny's eyes went wide as he caught her gaze, almost in panic.

As Hughie continued walking Katie to her class, Vanessa made her way to her locker, putting away her coat.

She closed her locker door, revealing Johnny Kavanagh on the other side. He was casually resting his shoulder on the locker next to hers, waiting for her to notice him.

Creep.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Vanessa jumped, shooting him an icy glare for startling her.

Johnny held his hands up, his face turning apologetic, and a little pink. "I'm sorry!"

"You've been saying that a lot." Vanessa huffed, taking a good look at him.

She wasn't going to lie: he looked nice. Gorgeous, even. The way he towered over her, his crooked red tie hanging from around his neck, his messy brunette hair, steel blue eyes, with a strong jaw, and the way he looked shirtless yesterday—no, no, no.

Her brain needed to shut up. It was the two hours of sleep talking.

"Cause I have a lot to be sorry for," Johnny spoke honestly. "I know I fucked up, but you have to believe me when I say I didn't mean to."

"Okay."

  "Okay?" Johnny blinked confusedly, not anticipating her to believe him right away.

  "Look Johnny, if you said you didn't do it on purpose, then you didn't do it on purpose." she sighed tiredly, not in the mood to talk. "Shannon isn't mad at you. She said to tell you thank you for helping yesterday. And Declan too."

  "It was the least I could do."

  "I should be thanking you for that, too." Vanessa added. "and I guess I'm sorry for snapping at you."

  "You guess?" Johnny repeated, looking like he was trying hard not smirk.

  Vanessa groaned, knowing she doesn't do well with giving apologies. Or admitting she's wrong.

  "Not guess...I am." she corrected. "Thank you for staying with my sister. And I'm sorry our mam was being a bitch to you. Shannon had a shitty time at our old school, so we're a little protective."

"A little?"

Vanessa gave him an unimpressed look. Johnmy chuckled, shaking his head.

  "No, no, I deserved it. But she'll be okay here. I promise it'll be different."

He spoke with so much sincerity, Vanessa almost wanted to believe his reassurances. But she couldn't fully trust him.

  "You're less of an asshole than I thought." she decided.

  "...Thanks?"

  "That doesn't mean I like you, though."

  "I know." Johnny spoke, and Vanessa detected a hint of amusement in his voice. "Do you think you ever will?"

  Vanessa thought for a moment.

  "No."

They kept their eyes locked on each other for a good ten seconds until the bell rang, startling them both. Five more minutes until class started.

  "So..."

  "So..."

  "I guess I'll be seeing you, Kavanagh." Vanessa said coolly, snapping Johnny out of his trance.

  "Yeah, I'll be seeing you, Lynch."

  A few hours later, they saw each other once again. Same place as yesterday: in the school cafeteria.

  "So I was thinking Princess Diaries," Katie spoke. "You, me, and ice cream this Saturday. It's a crime against humanity you haven't seen it."

"Actually, I saw the first movie with Shan in the cinema." Vanessa corrected.

"The second movie is so cute, though!" Katie exclaimed. "There's this prince...and he's just so—"

"He's so what?" Hughie raised an eyebrow, turning to his girlfriend. Katie gave him a sheepish grin, kissing his cheek. Vanessa averted her eyes away from the nauseating adorable couple beside her.

As fate had it, her eyes landed on a tall brunette walking inside the lunch room with his bubbly blonde best friend. Her eyes followed them, as they walked to their spots at the end. It wasn't until he sat down that he noticed her gaze.

Vanessa instantly looked away, her eyes landing down at her lunch on the table. Seconds later, she took one more sneaky glance at him, only to find he was still holding eye contact. Even when Gibsie was talking his ear off.

It wasn't until Katie waved her hand in front of her that Vanessa snapped her eyes away again.

"Sorry, what?" she blinked.

Katie rolled her eyes, a small grin forming on her face. "Are you seriously eye-fucking Johnny Kavanagh right now?"

Vanessa gaped at her language. "Katie Wilmot please never say the word 'eye-fucking' again."

Katie just laughed.

"Oh God, Biggs is corrupting you."

"Just like how Johnny seems to be corrupting you?"

"I am not eye-fucking him," Vanessa groaned. "need I remind you he hit my sister with a ball yesterday?"

"Well you don't seem to be holding it against him now," Katie quipped.

"I do." Vanessa huffed. "I am holding it against him. But I can maintain peace... and also because Shannon told me to."

"Well I trust you're keeping your inner Loch-Ness Monster at bay," Katie teased, mentioning an old nickname she earned at BSC.

"I am." Vanessa affirmed, glancing at Johnny one final time. He got up to throw something in the trash bin.

She didn't hate him, but she didn't like him. In fact, it was pure indifference. Vanessa did not care about him in the slightest. She especially didn't care that there was slight limp in his step. Or how he discreetly rubbed his right thigh once he sat down.

Nope, not her problem. Athletes get injured all the time. None of her business.

All he'll ever be to her is the guy who gave her sister a concussion on the first day of school. That's it. Nothing else.

LEXI NOTES !

a visual of what i think their lunch table looks like... if it's not accurate then shhhh

i love princess diaries 2 sm they invented enemies to lovers actually

lastly thank you so much for 3k reads WHAT
janessa nation i love u all sm 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼