Welcome to New Haven by Dawn Doyle Page B

footsteps going down the stairs, and she relaxed more knowing he was gone from outside the door.
    “I need to get going now.   I told my Mum I’d be back at six.”   Holly packed up her books, preparing to leave.   She was nervous as Dev opened her door incase Alex was there.  
    As they had come up the stairs quickly, Holly hadn’t noticed Alex’s room.   It was opposite Dev’s.   The door was closed, and she wondered what it was like inside.  
    “You ok?”   Dev asked as Holly didn’t move forward.  
    “Yeah, just thinking about school.”   She replied, hoping Dev would accept her answer.  
    “I’d rather not.” Dev laughed as they began to walk down the stairs.  

    When they got to the bottom, Holly could hear Alex’s voice coming from another room as he was talking to someone.   She began to walk to the front door when a woman walked into the hallway.  
    She looked like an older version of Dev. High cheekbones, brown eyes, and flawless olive skin.   Her dark hair was tied up in a loose knot, and Holly thought she looked very much like a doctor.   A supermodel-turned doctor.
    Are they all so tall in this family?
    Dev was only a few inches taller, Alex was…huge…their Mum, she assumed that’s who she was, was taller than Dev but not much.  
    “Hey Mom.” Dev said.
    Holly could only think of how she was going to get out of the front door.
    “Hey sweetie. You must be Holly.”   She said.
    “Hello, Mrs. Valencia.” Holly said shyly.  
    “Oh call me Evie.   Would you like to stay for dinner?   We have plenty.”  
    Holly felt a shiver just before Alex walked into the hallway.   Her knees weakened, and her throat felt dry.   The heat creeping into her cheeks.  
    “I…have to go home, but…thanks…Evie.”   Holly managed to say, averting her eyes away from Alex so that she could speak.   Evie smiled at her, seeing Holly’s discomfort.  
    “Ok well, maybe next time.”  
    “Yes, I’d love to…thanks.”   Holly glanced at Alex, and her stomach flipped.   “I have to go.” She said to Dev, turning for the door.  
    “Bye Holly.” Evie said with a wave.  
    “Bye Holly. See you at school”   Alex said to her, making Holly pause for a split second as she nearly melted into the floor.  
    Dev walked out with Holly.  
    “Text me when you get home. See you tomorrow and, thanks for your help.”

    As Dev and her Mum stood at the door, watching Holly get into her car, she noticed Alex watching her from the front window.   She released a deep breath before starting the car, waving to Dev and driving off.

    Holly started to relax now that she was on her way home.   She really had a serious problem when it came to Alex.   She couldn’t speak when she looked at him.   To hide her obvious attraction, she had to look away as it was the only way she’d been able to string a sentence together.   She didn’t know why she was acting that way.   She was never nervous around boys before.   She’d never been attracted to any of them, though.   Maybe that’s why she hadn’t had any problems communicating with them at all.

Chapter 6

    Alex couldn’t help the huge smile on his face.   Holly was right there!
    Why am I acting like this? I’ve known her for all of five days! Get a grip dude!
    He knew there was really no point.   He took a resigned breath as he finally admitted…
    I have a crush on Holly.
    As Alex, and his family, sat around the table for dinner, Dev’s phone beeped.   Alerting her to an incoming message.  
    “No phones at the table, honey.”   Evie said to her.  
    “Holly texted me that she’s just gotten home.   I’ll put it away now.”   Dev said as she sent a reply, before looking at Alex with a small smile playing on her lips.
    “Is she ok?"
    He knew she was, otherwise she wouldn’t be texting that she had just gotten home.   He just couldn’t stop his mouth from spilling the words before his brain could stop it.  
    “Yep.