“So how’s this whole art project going?” I asked Kate pulling the hair out of my hair subconsciously as we walked down the halls.

Kate shrugged “It’s only for the festival, nothing drastic.” She brushed it off.

I frowned at her “A-are you sure you don’t want to come?” I asked “I’m sure Gavin won’t care, I mean we’re going as friends anyway.” I blanched before I could stop myself.

Kate laughed at me “Is someone admitting they don’t like being only friends?” she taunted me in a sing song voice.

“No.” I answered automatically, so quick that my cheeks blushed scarlet.

Kate’s grin grew more, a cheeky cherished cat smile “Sure.” She drew out practically skipping down the hall as we made our way to roll call.

I rolled my eyes despite the growing smile on my lips. It seemed silly to hide and lie, especially to Kate. I was done with the hiding and the lying, so I had a crush on Gav, a massive one. What was wrong with that? As long as Gav didn’t find out – since we were only friends – I was content with anybody else knowing.

“Golly gee,” Kate cried with mock excitement egging me on “is little miss smiling?”

I rolled my eyes as I gave her a shove so she connected with someone else in the hallway making me only laugh more as I watched her anxiously apologize and pass the blame to her “crazily deranged” best friend. I only laughed harder; I couldn’t deny I was happier than I think I’d ever been before. True to it I had come across a murder of a girl in my year, I also was getting sent threats and of course true it was only yesterday I decided I was going to stop running but my god I’d never felt more euphoric in my entire life. I guess that was just love.

Kate rolled her eyes dramatically sighing at me as she looped our arms together “Anyway, as I was saying,” she began again keeping to her dramatic form “I’m not really looking out to play the third wheel role, you know?”

I sighed just drastically back “You won’t be a third wheel!” I insisted, I was feeling awfully guilty, Kate and I always did everything together and the first time I was going to the Senior Festival with a date – not to mention one of the most popular and sweetest guys possible – and she wasn’t even going to be there! It just didn’t feel right for me…

Kate rolled her eyes “I’d rather stay home watching movies with a tub of chocolate than follow you two lover struck fools.”

I whacked her blushing scarlet “I’m not in love.” I hissed.

“Are you?” she asked pointedly only making my cheeks darken.

“Look,” I began taking a calming breath as my heart beat erratically and all I could think or rather ask myself was am I really in love with Gavin? “I can talk to Gav; see if any of his friends want to take you, I can ask Phil! You’ve met Phil, he’s a sweet boy!” I insisted pleading with her.

Kate gave me a droll look “A pity date? Please.” She snorted.

“Kate.” I insisted, giving her my puppy dog eyes.

“Look, I just….” She trailed off sighing in agitation and reluctance as she spoke the truth “after Aaron I’m just not quite ready to dive back in, you know?” she murmured, her voice lowering.

I pursed my lips at the mention of Aaron; he was a summer fling kind of guy. But minus the fling, well that’s what bull shit he fed Kate anyway. She had called me up the second night on her two week holiday gushing about this gorgeous boy that had eyes for her and wanted to take her out, she thought it was fate. I was…hesitant, maybe it was my simple lack of trust in everybody else or maybe it was my jealousy that she found guys as quick as counting to three. I held my tongue though only giving her one subtle warning not wanting to dampen her happiness and we didn’t talk for a while, I simply thought it was because she was holidaying and in love a phenomenal combination.

It wasn’t until I ran into her mum down the street one day and she told us they came home early. Alarm bells had never gone off stronger or louder in my entire life and that afternoon I found Kate curled up in bed with a broken heart. She broke down in tears as she told me that she lost her virginity to a guy that not even two days later was already chasing another girl. She was devastated and more than anything infuriated at herself for being so gullible, I sat with her for the rest of the holidays as we nursed her heart back to where it was now and obviously it wasn’t fully back to health. She may be a buoyant girl with a gorgeous smile that lit up the room but she had scars and more than ever was she turning every guy away; she simply couldn’t trust them.

I suddenly felt a little bit guilty for shoving my life with Gavin in her face even if it was just a friendship, my eyes softened as I gave her a side hug “Well that’s more reason to go out, prove that dick Aaron wrong.”

“I don’t know…” she trailed off hesitantly chewing on her lower lip as we stopped at my locker.

“P-please?” I begged my puppy dog eyes back.

“God!” she cursed looking away.

“What’s up?” a voice asked casually joining the conversation, my heart suddenly rolling in tumbles as butterflies flew in my stomach.

“I’ll think about it, alright? Happy?” Kate demanded giving me a frustrated glance.

I squealed happy as I clapped on the spot.

Gavin frowned “I’m lost, what’s going on?”

Kate threw her hands up in the air “Good luck to you Gavin and those guilt tripping eyes, it’s like dancing in the devil!” she grumbled muttering a string of curses together as she stormed off.

Gav looked back at me his frown even deeper “Do I want to know?”

I shrugged smiling carelessly “I have a question for you.” I began as I turned back to open up my locker.

“Alright,” Gav said leaning against the locker beside me, his arm leaning against the locker only a breath away as his scent attacked me and had me dizzy “what’s the question?”

“You can say no,” I warned him as he nodded “but I was wondering if Phil was taking anyone to the Senior Festival?” I asked as I pulled my geography text book towards me.

“What? I’m not good enough?” he teased.

I laughed “Is someone insecure?” I teased him only making his smile grow, I loved how much he enjoyed me coming out of my shell, it only seemed to boost my confidence some more.

“Should I be?” Gav challenged.

I shook my head laughing “No,” I reassured smiling brightly “I’m just…I feel bad for Kate.” I admitted lowering my voice “She hasn’t got a date and I always imagined her going too and she doesn’t have a date so I was…” I trialed off nervously, was I overstepping the friend line? Friends could ask for such favors couldn’t they?

“So you want to set her up for the night with Phil?” he finished for me with a soft smile not looking offended in the least.

I sighed in relief letting go the breath I held “Well, yeah.” I admitted chewing my lower lip nervously as I offered him a faint smile.

Gav pursed his lips in thought “I would ask him, really,” he assured me “but when I was talking to him he already had a date.” He said with an apologetic smile.

“Drats.” I mumbled “What about any of the other guys?” I asked anxiously; would Kate even want to go with any of the other guys? She barely knew them…

Gav gave me a guilty look.

“They already have dates too?” I guessed frowning.

“Sorry.” He apologized.

I shook my head “Don’t be, I knew it was very unlikely. Besides,” I said trying to assure the both of us “she said she didn’t want a pity date.”

Gav nodded saying nothing.

I shut my locker around and turned to face him as I let go of the heavy breath I held “Now,” I began looking up at him as he looked back “you so don’t play the guitar.” I accused thinking back to how we left our conversation yesterday, the air cleaning up.

Gav chuckled with a blazing smile with a roll of his eyes, turning his back and walking down the hall to my geography class, the charming gentleman walking me to class even if he’s leaving me behind.

“Do you?” I insisted as I caught up to his side, he looked over at me giving me one of those heart stuttering smiles in amusement “You do? Really?” I asked amazed and impressed as I tried to gauge him.

“Yeah, so what?” he asked a little defensive which only made my lips twitch; was Gavin Bickim shy?

“So what?” I cried in amazement “That’s amazing! You know how awesome it is that you or anybody plays any musical instrument?” I asked out loud as I thought of how Kate couldn’t play to save her life; it made it hard to discuss music with her when she couldn’t relate “I’ve always wanted to learn to play guitar…” I trailed off smiling faintly at the thought.

“I’ll tell you what.” Gav said gentle pulling me to a halt just outside my classroom.

“What?” I asked curious and a little bit breathless with how close those warm chocolate eyes were.

“I’ll teach you to play guitar if you teach me to play the piano?” he offered with me.

My smile grew to gigantic levels “Deal.” I said instantly.

Gav smiled with a chuckle “Okay, I’ll see you in the music room at lunch.” He murmured smiling giving my nose a cheeky poke before he made his way down the hall.

I felt like I had melted to the floor.

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

The bell rang declaring it to be lunch and I honestly couldn’t have gotten out of class quick enough, my heart was pounding and my smile was racing away, about to fall off my face. Collecting my books I raced down the hall at a fast brisk walk only to abruptly stop as I nearly tripped over my feet.

I frowned as I slowed down drastically at the site of Cindy walking out of the very same janitor room as before, stepping out of the room and instantly blending in with the rest of the students as they all made their way out to lunch almost resembling a stampede.

I pursed my lips but already my decision was made, Gav could wait a couple minutes for me. Walking down stairs to my locker I shoved all my textbooks in there I took my time trying to act casual; pretending to have lost something and than a moment later coating my lips for the hundredth time with lip balm. When all the students had made their way out of the halls and outside and even the odd stragglers had gone by I quickly made my way back up to where I had just seen Cindy walk out of.

My heart hammered as I reached out for the door, the cool door knob sending a nerve wracking shiver right through me. I knew I was acting dramatically, what was I expecting to find; Georgie’s body? A shrine? A bloody knife or saw? I shook my head as my grip on the door knob tightened and I turned it sighing a breath of relief when the door didn’t protest being locked and no alarms went off. I apparently was watching one too many movies. The door opened with a small and yet loud click and I slid in the room before I couldn’t even think, I closed the door behind me and I was blanketed in darkness.

Feeling around for the light switch I found it and flicked it on, my eyes squinting to adjust to all the sudden changes of light. I looked around a disappointment coiled deeply around me as I realized I was expecting something or anything more than this. It was just a janitor small closet; on the back of the small square room were metal shelves that held liquid detergents and other cleaning products and wipes. In front of the shelves and where I stood there were buckets stacked together, a mop bucket and than a bundle of brooms, mops and dust pan and brooms. The room smelt heavily of chemicals and I wasn’t sure if it was the adrenaline and overwhelment to find only nothing in the end or the chemicals but I suddenly felt dizzy.

Shoving it aside and straightening my shoulders I stepped further into the room determined to find something. Cindy had walked out of this room and there had to be something. Cautious not to make a ruckus I tried dodging the buckets and brooms as I began lifting and moving things, starting on the top shelf at the back and moving through each item. I looked through every item and found not a thing hiding behind them that could be anything of such. I soon forgot the shelves and started searching around on my feet, even the walls and the roof as if I’d suddenly find a hidden room or compartment. I really needed to stop watching detective movies.

Kneeling on the floor and feeling around my mind began to race for what I was exactly doing. I was in here scoping around in Cindy’s business again, trying to find something that could place a reason for Cindy’s bizarre behavior. I didn’t think at first I was looking for a murder weapon but when I started questioning if any of these chemicals could kill somebody drastically I than realized that I was beginning to suspect Cindy of murder, murdering her best friend…

The thought alone was bizarre, preposterous! Who in their right mind could murder their best friend and why? But stranger and more messed up things happened in the world…I couldn’t help but think her behavior to Georgie’s death was sporadic, bipolar not to mention the police unable to get a hold of her and what Ben had even reacted to the mention of her. Not to mention the initials I had found on her whiteboard on her bedroom door when I had snuck in there. I needed to either prove she was the murderer or clear her name, because how else was I going to sleep at night and discover who was sending me such threatening notes? I needed to know that I wasn’t next, that I wasn’t going to show up like Georgie.

As I contemplated these thoughts I reached back on the bottom shelf, moving some heavier and older bottles and containers aside and that’s where I caught it. At the back of shelf and on the wall scribbled there were the initials, as clear as day;

                        ‘GP+CC’.

I shoved the stuff all out of the way to get a closer look, leaning in closer as I held my breath. There it was again, the very same initials I found on Cindy’s bedroom door and smeared on Georgie’s forehead in the sanitation bin. What did it stand for?

I looked at it closer noting how it look smeared, the black letters from what looked like a permanent text looking warn and faded, the black ink slightly running. Is that what Cindy has been doing, coming into the janitors room to get rid of it? To hide evidence?

“What are you doing?”

I gasped jumping ‘till my head hit the higher up shelf making me curse as I clutched my head. That freaking hurt! I groaned as I sat up only to have my heart catch in my throat at the sight of Cindy standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips and a narrowed piercing gaze. As they say, if looks could kill…

“I uh,” I began cleaning my throat nervously “I was grabbing some cloths to clean the piano and some other instruments down in the music room.” I said grabbing the first cloth I could find and reaching for some unlabeled bottle.

She frowned at me “You play the piano?”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly as coarse as the desert “Yeah.” I said weakly.

She said nothing but just kept watching me, it had me unnerved and I really wanted to shy away but I couldn’t, how obvious would I it be if I did? Did she already know or suspect that I was onto her? Maybe it was her sending me the notes, maybe she knew I was in her bedroom…

“Well,” I began brushing myself off as I stood up “I’ll be going.” I murmured trying to play it off cool and calm as I got up and took a step forward.

She didn’t move back, she stood watching me a second longer and a little closer. Finally she moved back letting me slide past “Right, to clean the piano.”

“Right.” I agreed the air so tense and awkward I could feel my very own lungs shutting down from suffocating.

As soon as I made my way down the hall and out of sight, her piercing gaze losing me I legged it. Getting the hell out of there as I raced downstairs to the music room, my breathing erratic and on the verge of hysterical as my heart beat loudly in my ears to the point all I could hear was the rushing of my blood pumping.

Racing to a stop outside the music room I threw the rag and container on a bookshelf in the room knowing damn well Mr. Sing used and had his own cleaning gear in here for his instruments. Closing the door behind me as I tried to catch my breath I walked through the classroom to one of the conjoining rooms off the music room with tables and desks to where the piano was and where I expected Gav to be.

Walking into the room I stopped short in the doorway at the sight of Gav, a gentle smile coming to my face. He was spread out on one of the two couches in the room, his eyes closed and a peaceful expression upon his face as he slept. He looked heavenly, like a sleeping angel with his hair all messed up and that peaceful expression upon his face. It was one of the rare times I could appreciate him without being caught out or making a fool of myself. I couldn’t help but ask myself for the hundredth time what that glorious boy saw in me.

Walking quietly over towards him to wake him up I crouched down hesitating, how long was I gone? Should I even wake him, he looked so beautiful and peaceful sleeping?

I reached out slowly holding my breath as I rested my hand upon his shoulder, giving him a gentle shake “Gav?” I whispered failing “Gav, wakey wakey.” I sang as I gave him a little firmer shake.

I watched he moaned like an adorable child as he threw his arm over his eyes mumbling something to himself making me smile and giggle at the sight.

“Don’t laugh at me.” he mumbled startling me as I thought he was still asleep.

“You’re awake?” I asked stupidly although the answer was obvious.

“Mmmm, I’m sorry I fell asleep.” He mumbled into his arm.

I smiled faintly “I’m sorry I was late.”

He moaned sleepily in acceptance.

“Do you still want to learn?” I whispered softly, we were the only ones in here and yet it even felt wrong to speak any louder.

“I want to sleep.” He mumbled.

“Oh, alright.” I murmured softly standing up unsure of what to say or even think; was he mad at me for being late?

His hand reached out grabbing my own startling me as I jumped in surprise “Sorry.” He mumbled in apology “Join me.” he insisted tugging on my hand to the point I practically fell on top of him, my arms shooting out to stable me as my knees sat on the edge of the couch as I squealed in alarm.

“I don’t…I won’t…” I stammered blushing scarlet, I may be confident but it doesn’t mean in every situation! What was he asking of me? Did he want me to curl up next to him or…? The wimp that I am nearly had me hyperventilating at such simple two words.

“Here.” He murmured scooting further into the couch and tugging me closer into his side so that I was laying down beside him “That’s better.” He murmured as his eyes flickered shut again.

I on the other hand wasn’t that relaxed, I held my breath as I watched Gav in shock and alarm at this situation. Here we were pressed chest to chest, curled up so tightly in amongst one another I didn’t know where one started and the other began and I was on the verge of breaking down torn between confusement, alarm and glee and he was going back to sleep! Why was I socially so pathetic?

I watched him as his breath evened out, his eyes stopped flickering and twitching as he fell into a peaceful slumber and I continued watching him. I was still so confused as my mind spiraled with millions of petty questions all asking what on earth this means? Yet the longer I laid there, my head resting against his chest where his heart laid the more I began to relax, my body relaxing and uncurling as I sunk into him. My head laid there as I listened to the gentle rhythm of his heart and my body rising and falling in time to the rise and fall of his breathing, it was so peaceful and intimate that I couldn’t help the flutter in my chest as my own eyes began to droop.

I just wanted to escape the outside world even just for a minute, outside these walls and Gavin was a reality that had my heart pounding with fear. I wanted to avoid that reality that had so openly and daringly slapped me in the face, I was terrified of the truth and I wanted to hide from it just a little bit longer. Gav gave me that sanctuary, he provided that beautiful abyss where all the demons simply fell away and all that was left was just me and him, just the two of us. More grateful than ever I escaped to that sanctuary he provided as I let my head nestled down and my eyelids flutter close being sent to sleep by the beautiful rhythm of his heart.

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

I awoke to movement, something faintly jostling me and a cruse “Sorry.” Gav murmured softly.

I moaned softly as I curled my face back into his shirt wanting to stay in this word a little longer as I hid in his open arms. I mumbled an “S’okay.” My voice muffled in his shirt.

Gav chuckled huskily still from the sleep “Hey don’t go to sleep, you’ve got to tell me the time.” He urged gently, tugging on my hair gentle.

I bunched up my face “I don’t have a watch.”

“I know, but my phone does.” He pointed out.

“Well grab it.” I mumbled confused as I closed my eyes again.

“I can’t, it’s in my pocket and you’re practically lying on it.” he pointed out in amusement.

I blushed scarlet as I looked down and sure enough he was right, I was lying over one half of his body to my embarrassment. What was more embarrassing and had my heart pumping even harder was the fact that if Gav did reach for his phone it’d look like his hands were reaching for something else since my part thighs laid directly against that pocket. My body shuddered and burned all over at the thought of those hands going or brushing up against there...

“Sorry.” I mumbled shyly as I reached down and without another thought reached into his pocket and got his phone out for him. no, rather than just moving like any sane person I reached into his pocket for him and grabbed his phone probably brushing up against something along the way “Sorry.” I squealed again mortified into his chest as I realized what I had just done.

Gav chuckled, his chest shaking beneath mine “God you’re adorable.” He teased only adding to my mortification, one second I was acting like a brazen whore and the next a cold nun, even my own head was spinning.

“Shut up.” I mumbled as he only made me blush darker if possible.

Gav chuckled saying nothing as he tugged my phone out of my fingers making my heart shudder even greater with my hyper sensitive body. Pulling it out of my hold he read the time to only curse “Shit.”

“What?” I murmured looking up at him, nestling my chin against his chin.

“It’s nearly three thirty; we’ve slept through the rest of the classes.” He murmured as he looked down at me tearing his gaze from his phone.

My eyes bugged “What?” I panicked as I looked around and straight into the music room to see the room empty “Why didn’t any one spot us? Come get us?” I cried alarmed.

“Well its Wednesday, Mr. Sing doesn’t have classes Wednesday.” He explained shrugging carelessly.

“We just skipped school.” I moaned.

“You act like you’ve never done it before.” He teased.

I pulled a look.

He gaped “Really?” his expression turned into a cheeky grin “Well you had to lose your wag-virginity sometime.” He teased making me blush darker and burry my face into his shirt even more.

“Shut up.” I cried softly into his chest much to Gav’s amusement as he laughed louder “It’s your fault anyway, you started snoozing first!” I accused.

“Hey, you consented also!” he teased with a cheeky wink.

I narrowed my gaze through a blush “You’re a wag-whore.”

Gav gasped in mock alarm “I am not!”

“Yes you are.” I nodded fiercely playing along “You’d probably ditch class with anyone.”

“I only wag with special people.” He murmured, his brown eyes burning with an intensity that had me squirming.

“So you’re saying…” I trailed off pursing my lips as I subconsciously tugged on his shirt “that I’m one of those special people?”

Gav smiled as he reached out wrapping his fingers around my own tugging at his shirt, his hands warm and gentle “The only special person.” He corrected me lowly.

My eyes grew “So this was your first time too?” I asked in actual amazement “I thought you being the popular guy you were would have wagged countless times.” I teased him.

Gav smiled “I’m not going to wag if it’s not worth it and that sleep was definitely worth it.” he mused giving me a cheeky wink that had me blushing as I chewed on my lower lip shyly.

“Why were you asleep when I found you?” I asked honestly interested “I wasn’t gone that long…” I trailed off frowning.

“I had a bitch of a headache.” he murmured honestly trying to brush it off.

I reached up before I knew it, placing the back of my head to his forehead testing his temperature, it was warm but it wasn’t drastically warm. I presume the sleep played a role in notching down the high temperature to go with that headache.

I frown down at him “Why didn’t you go to the front office to get some aspirin or go home?” I asked him caringly, acting like a worried mum.

Gav shrugged “I wanted to see you.” He answered as if it was reason enough.

My heart pounded as I looked down at him, his face tilting into my hand still pressed against his face. My heart fluttered at his sweet words and I blushed under his smoldering gaze, my body wracked in tingles and enticing shudders of joy. He smiled softly up at me, the smile so gentle and tender that it had my heart swelling. I smiled shyly back at him, my heart tumbling in spirals as I thought of how utterly amazing this man was, he was the most sweetest and protective guy I ever knew, why couldn’t he be my guy?

Gav sat up breaking me out of my resolve with a groan as we both stretched out grabbing our bags just as the bell rang and I sighed sadly as I realized what was outside these four walls and as soon as Gav went home and I went to the library to research more for this assignment. I didn’t want it to end; I wanted time to freeze just like every second I was around Gav.  My entire body was screaming and pleading for me to ask Gav to bundle me up and run away with me, to just take me away from all of this mess that was slowly but surely catching up to me as the brutal blow of reality slowly settled in. How much longer could I continue to shrug things off?

“You never told me why you were late.” Gav murmured as he swung his backpack up onto his shoulder and we made our way towards the door.

I shrugged shutting down “Nothing drastic.” I lied not looking his way, trying to force myself to believe the lie, a part of me even praying Gav could see through my lie and stay with me, just hide out a little longer with me in this bliss.

Gav sighed heavily as we paused in the doorway something building up in the air, reminding me something of when you go out on a first date and you always hesitate wondering; do I kiss them? There was a tension in the air and it needed to be broken and what was worse I could tell by Gav’s expression that ne knew I was lying, he wasn’t stupid and my prayer was answered. Suddenly I wish it wasn’t, of all prayers to be answered why this one?

I turned to look up at Gav, meeting his gaze shyly as he tugged on my backpack strap “I’ll see you tomorrow at school alright?” he murmured softly, tugging it a little harder so I took a step in closer.

I nodded, my heart caught in my throat as his forbidden scent hit me.

Gav gave me a faint smile, his eyes searching my own for an answer I knew he’d never find. If I couldn’t even find answers how on earth was he to? He sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair messing it up only more and yet still looking so godly like “I’ll talk to you soon ‘kay?” he murmured and nodded swallowing down the tightness in my throat.

What was wrong with me? Say something! I screamed at myself. Why was it suddenly so hard to speak? What was holding me back? the tension and anticipation in the air or was it knowing once I stepped out of those four walls reality sunk back in and within that reality I was his friend and nothing more?

Gav sighed again before turning and making his way down the hall and I couldn’t help but grimace as my heart crumbled a little inside. I wanted to be back in that sanctuary for more reasons than one, I just didn’t want to escape the fears and truth that was just outside this doorframe I leant against but also because in that sanctuary there was something more we shared. I could feel it, there was something there that crackled and burned like a fire and it made me feel this hope and safety, I didn’t want to lose that feeling, I was sick of it falling through my fingers.

“You knew I had blue eyes.” I whispered stupidly, my lips moving before I could think.

Gav stopped down the middle of the hall and my heart stilled in fear, a big part of me thinking this is it. He turned back around to face me, a lopsided smile on his face that was more heart melting than anything else I’ve ever seen and instantly it was back, that feeling of hope and safety, faith and security. I held on tighter than I could ever believe determined more than ever to not let it slip through my fingers. My heart reached out for him, screaming at him; why can’t you like me?

“I’ve always known you’ve had blue eyes angel.” He whispered and yet it still found my ears as he turned back around and made his way home.

I smiled softly; my sanctuary didn’t slip through my fingers. 

________________________

Click the external link for my Facebook page

So you guys know my drill; vote, comment and maybe give me a fan, yeah?Do it, I dare you ;) Xx

-------------------------------------

All Rights Reserved

Copyrighted Material ©

-------------------------------------