The first thing I did the next morning as soon as I got to school was searched for Kate and got down on my knees and begged for forgiveness – figuratively of course, she wasn’t that mad at me.

I had avoided Kate entirely for the rest of the yesterday after fleeing the assembly hall, I had once I got home ignored her one sole text message that told me basically that she knew I needed space and when I was ready she’d be ready and waiting to talk to me. I loved her to bits for that, others would text and call and smother you, like some clingy deranged girlfriend that turned you off. Kate didn’t, she understood how I worked as a being and knew when I wanted to be left alone and took the hint and sat ready to wait.

I found her under a tree and sitting on the picnic table instead of the chairs as she flicked through her mobile phone, in her own world and not caring in the slightest about all the gossip and chatter surrounding her. I smiled faintly at her, I adored that about her. She was a strong independent person, which helped boost and balance out our friendship with my overly petty insecurities and cravings to be invisible.

With my shadow blocking out the sunlight raining down on us she looked up blinking and with an exasperated expression “For the last time no! I’m not telling you what….” She trailed off sheepishly catching my eye “Sorry, I thought you were the paparazzi.” She said impishly.

I laughed faintly “The paparazzi? How suiting.” I commented with a faint smile.

“Vultures would be perfection.” She added with a look as she glanced out at the sea of student milling about in their own spots until the bell signaled for roll call. Her face was full of distaste and repulsion, as if they were a swarm of diseased mutants rather than school students.

“So,” I began trying to act casually when my heart was bruising my ribs and threatening to tear me open “I owe you a really huge apology and thank you in one. Do you know any places I could find a car as such?” I asked hoisting myself up to sit beside her, our shoulders touching.

Kate snorted “Yeah, I actually saw a card the other day that would be perfect. It was the sorry I ran off and kept to myself for a couple of days, but I really needed time to myself since I came across a murder scene. Thank you for your understanding card.” She mocked laughing softly.

I looked at her, my smile trembling before I burst into laughter shoving her shoulders playfully, and before I knew it Kate was laughing with me, the two of us instantly relaxing and everything pushed behind us as if nothing was wrong and nothing had happened.

Finally our laughter trailed off and we were composing ourselves, laughter like that not so common these days in our school since yesterday. Wiping underneath my eyes as I giggled, I glanced around when my eyes met Gavin, my smile turning into my shy smile, my eyes just as shy as I blushed. He smiled greater at me, his eyes telling me he had seen me laughing for quite some time as he tipped his head in a silent greeting. I blushed deeper, my smile growing and twitching more so at the corners as I nodded my head subtly back – so Kate didn’t catch it – before turning my attention back to Kate.

I sighed smiling still as I felt my cheeks cool down “Well I’m going to have to go searching for it; hopefully it won’t be all that difficult to fine.” Kate snorted in laughter making me giggle at the snort.

“So,” she began her voice turning more serious and gentle “how are your parents taking it?” she asked her eyes full of worry. Kate knew as well as I did how my parents were with me and how much dramatic my household must be like.

I shrugged “Mum’s walking on egg shells and at any sound passing my lips she’s asking me if I need anything. Last night it was past ten thirty, I came into the kitchen sighing just the faintest and she offered to drive down the street and get me ice cream.” I laughed shaking my head.

“So that’s normal.” Kate mused with a knowing smile making me laugh shortly “How about Pappa bear?” she asked referring to my dad; Kate called him that because underneath his tough exterior he was such a softy.

I smiled “Dad’s never told me so many jokes in my life. Though I must admit, he doesn’t argue with me over the remote and he’s not even calling Chuck from Gossip Girl gay anymore.” I laughed softly.

Kate laughed herself “Well you know what I think? I think take advantage of it whilst you can; I mean someone willing to get you ice cream at midnight could come in handy. Plus, maybe you can somehow make them believe that hosting a party at your house without your parents will benefit you.” She said with her cheeky devilish grin.

I giggled “Yeah that may be pushing it. Worth a shot though, right?” I said bemused.

Kate chuckled as the bell rung, all the students groaning and moping as they made their way to their set roll call rooms. Kate and I stood up, the both of us dusting ourselves off before making our way begrudgingly to roll call.

I sighed “Mum wasn’t me to go see a counselor, so does Mr. Vincent.” I added on begrudgingly.

“Mmmm.” Kate hummed, saying nothing else.

I frowned at her “You agree with them?” I asked slightly wounded. What did everyone think I was some emotional wreck?

“Look I’m not saying you should but it couldn’t hurt though right? I mean, if you still aren’t coping with it later on it should be a sign that dealing with it on your own and without guidance from a professional may be needed.” She soothed as if I was a child, compromising with that soothing tone “Look what you saw….it’s some heavy stuff, I couldn’t imagine myself being able to sleep at night.” She voiced softly, unaware what her words did to me. “Sorry.” She added seeing me grimace.

I sighed “It’s alright.” I muttered “I don’t know, right now I think I’m fine, strong enough to do it. But trust me; if I'm not coping I’ll be sure to seek a counselor.”

Kate smiled softly at me “That’s all I ask for. Anyways, did you see the hot guy on Pretty Little Liars last night? Who knew school teachers could be so damn hot!” she gushed distracting and changing the topic as desired.

That was exactly why she was my best friend.

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Walking into history class – which we were still sharing with the year twelve class – I tip toed to my seat hoping to go by unnoticed as the bell had gone as soon as I had walked in and everyone else was settled and rather quiet. Making my way to my seat beside Kate with all the strength I had I kept my gaze away from where I knew I’d find those soft brown eyes.

Letting myself slump dramatically in the swivel chair I jostled slightly in my seat causing Kate to giggle slightly and for me to hastily right myself before others caught the sight of the famous girl falling off her chair in a skirt. Righting myself I sighed heavily in annoyance before logging in.

“What’s with you gloomy?” she asked in a hushed whisper.

I sighed again “I just want to be invisible.” I whined like a two year old, with big, pleading, and sulking eyes.

Today was the same as yesterday, the stares, the questions and the hushed whispers. Somehow I had made myself believe that today would be a new day and things would go back to normal and it’d be just one big giant nightmare. How wrong was I?

She smiled at me sympathetically squeezing my shoulder “It should be over soon, I mean there’s bound to be some new scandal here soon. Like Trudy Bentley getting knocked up again.”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, trying to hide my laughter in a dead silent room I covered my mouth with my hand trying to muffle it whilst I doubled over clutching my chest. “Shhh.” Kate hissed hitting my shoulder lightly as she looked around frantically.

I shot Kate a sympathetic glance composing myself, or at least trying. It didn’t take long for my body to cave and my composure to break down as I burst back into silent giggles, she took one look at me than burst into laughter too, clutching her stomach and doubling over as she just laughed. Her comment long forgotten but just laughing at really nothing at all.

“Girls!” Miss Reardon chided, all eyes swiveling towards us as our teacher jumped down our throats and bought the rest of the class to attention. “Silence is the key.” She hissed, her voice resembling a snake.

“Don’t worry Miss,” Kate gasped through laughter, wiping at her tear stained face “we’ll be as quiet as monkeys.”

I had to bite my tongue.

“Miss Sheridan that will be a detention for you.” She said acidly to Kate who just laughed harder.

I couldn’t keep it together because the next thing too I was clutching my stomach squealing in laughter, tears running down my face as I nearly fell off my chair – again – and I struggled for air. “Monkeys aren’t quiet you freakin’ idiot!” I cried gasping through laughter at Kate’s stupidity and mocking of Miss Reardon.

“That includes you too Miss Bosworth.” Our teacher snapped, her words slicing like a knife.

We only looked at each other laughing harder though. The saying was right though, laughter truly is the best medicine.

Ƹ̵Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Leaving last period with a huge smile on my face, over the moon that the day was over and it was now time for home I made my towards the school’s quad to meet up with Kate. I was still laughing softly to myself when I abruptly stopped.

The door before me opened and closed and stepping out came Cindy with her long vibrant and luscious auburn hair, swaying as she skipped off innocently, without a care in the world, not even noticing my presence as she made her way out of the school building, her body looking like a models, and her swaying hair reminding me of a hair product commercial.

Confused and with a furrowed brow I looked over at the door she had just stepped out of. I frowned deeper noting no classroom label or number, I had actually always just presumed that room to be somewhat of the janitors.

I was pulled out of the black hole suddenly at the voice behind me “Not in giggles anymore I see?” the voice asked, laughter in his voice.

Before I could even find the shy girl within me I spun around to face him – rather eagerly too to my embarrassment – and smiled wide and say eagerly “Oh, it’s you.”

He smiled even greater, bemused at this side of me that very few knew of “Oh it’s me alright.” he said beginning to walk and myself falling into step beside him.

Looking over at him out of the corner of my eyes, to see him still smiling cheerily I couldn’t help but note how tall he was. I mean I wasn’t short and he had at least another head or so on me, my head barely brushing his shoulders if I stood right against him. The thought of doing so bought a blush and a flutter to my chest, the shy girl coming back.

“So, how was detention?” he asked chuckling softly.

I had the decency to blush as I had completely forgotten until now that Gavin had been in the room when Kate and I had completely lost the plot. I shrugged aiming for indifference “Silent.”

He chuckled as I thought back on today in detention when Kate and I were talking behind Miss Reardon’s back when she couldn’t see us. Despite how many times she tried to catch us out. It was like some corny comedy cartoon, reminding me of Looney Tunes.

“You know, I always thought you were little Miss goodie two shoes.” He said honestly, he’s wonder and amusement of what he observed today showing through his voice.

“Hey!” I protested smiling largely nevertheless “I’m not that boring, and obviously you don’t know me well enough to judge me Mr.”

He chuckled “I suppose not Miss.” He teased back making my smile grow.

Reaching the quad my phone vibrated crazily in my pocket and I pulled it out swiftly drawing it to my ear as I spoke with an awful British tone and quote Pirates of the Caribbean as I saw the caller ID “’Ello poppet.” I sang.

“Oh good, you actually picked up.” Kate declared laughter in her voice.

I laughed softly “Well that is the general idea of a phone; you know you answer it and communicate.” I said breaking it down slowly like she was some stupid person.

She laugher “Shut up smart ass. Look I’ve ditched you, sorry but mum said she needed my help so I can’t walk home with you or give you a lift.” She apologized “But if it turns out to be some trivial thing I’ll eat her chocolates as punishment.

I smiled chortling “Eat some of her chocolate for me too.” I sang.

Kate laughed “Sure, I’ll take the weight and all for you, even if it is spring and soon to be summer.” She teased “Anyways, I got to go. I’ll talk to you later on tonight. Bye.”

“Okay, bye.” I sang hanging up.

As if hearing the dilemma in my head Gavin spoke up “So what are you doing; driving? Walking? Or what?”

I came to a halt pursing my lips thoughtfully “Good question.” I said thinking over the best option of to walk that far or call mum and dad up and pray they can pick me up.

As I mulled over the best option possible, I noticed Carl – one of the police officers who had interviewed me – step out of a car and make his way towards the school. “Carl?” I asked frowning.

He smiled softly “You look better.” He noted sounding glad.

I blushed “What are you doing back here?” I asked confused and interested.

His face instantly became wary “Coming back here for some more questioning, hunting for some more clues, still.” He said, his voice telling me how frustrated and how confusing this case truly was.

I gaped at him “You mean you guys have got nothing yet?” I asked in disbelief.

“Not even the girl’s body to give back to the family.” He said sadly, shaking his head. I cringed “Sorry.” He added catching the action. “It sure is a disturbing case; things like this just don’t happen in places like this. Nothing like this has ever happened before and I’ve never experienced such, we’re most likely going to have to call in for assistance from the big leagues if we can’t find much else.” He said bitterly, sounding tired which he looked also.

Excusing himself, Carl made his way into school grounds before I even thought of asking him if he had any idea of the words carved on Georgie’s forehead, the initials playing at my mind and disturbing me greatly, taunting me.

Shaking my head to awake I noticed that Gavin was walking somewhere, leading me along “What are you showing me?” I asked furrowing my brow.

Gavin looked down at me bemused with sparkling eyes “I’m taking you home, so I suppose you could say I’m showing you my car.”

“Oh.” I mouthed, feeling about two inches small as my cheeks burned and I felt like kicking myself repeatedly.

Reaching Gavin’s car or should I say Ute – a popular vehicle for the male teenagers in such rural towns – he opened the door for me like a gentleman making me cheeks burn harder. I smiled shyly as I got in, fidgeting with my bracelet and biting my bottom lip I realized I was sitting in Gavin Bickim’s Ute and he was taking me home! It was all so surreal, these sorts of things just didn’t happen to the type of girls like me.

I couldn’t help but note slightly miserably that this was the most attention I had ever received from him, than ever before in all my life put together. It unsettled me as I thought about it; it made me question his reasoning behind doing so. In that moment I never hated the fifteen minutes of fame more so in my entire life.

“What’s up?” he asked.

Turning I caught my breath as I realized just how close he was to me, his hand resting on the back of my seats headrest so he could to twist his body so he could check behind us as he reversed. I couldn’t help but notice with a fluttering heart that my hair was brushing his hand slightly and that if I turned ever the slightest some more my lips would be pressed right into the back of his wrist and on a noticeable blue vein.

“Um,” I tried to speak with difficulty, my mouth suddenly extremely dry and my heart racing “nothing actually.” I said shakily making him raise a brow at me. Realizing that I needed to give him some lie I came up with one that would be more buyable “When do you think this fifteen minutes of fame will end for me?” I asked finally being able to look up at him since he finally had moved his hand to change the gears, my eyes unable but to notice how smooth and swiftly he did so, his hands doing things to my stomach and heart that frightened me, greatly.

He looked over me, calculating with a small frown “Is that still going on?” he asked, it was when I saw his smile that I knew he was joking.

I rolled my eyes and turned to face him “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.” I accused “I can’t avoid being cornered without twenty questions. I can’t walk into class without eyes following me, others keep their distance like I’d break down and all the teachers treat me like I was Georgie’s best friend or sister. Whilst others treat me like I’m about to jump at them and slice their throats. You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed.” I finished with a gush. He was smiling widely at me making my eyes narrow at him “What? Do you find this funny? What are you laughing at?” I demanded.

He just shook his head smiling greatly.

“What? They’re like a pack of paparazzi!” I cried in defense, taking Kate’s analogy.

He burst out laughing “Exactly, any sane girl….well typical girl, would love it, playing it up.” I couldn’t help but smile at how right he was; shoot others already were playing it up to those who’d listened, especially the media from outside our town. Nevertheless it still stung at hearing him practically declare me as the opposite to sane and normal.

“I’m not normal?” I questioned in a murmur, not even really asking him.

“No, all I know is that you’re something more.” he said softly, smiling with his eyes still on the road.

“A good more let’s hope.” I said unable but to smile great and wide.

He chuckled “Definitely.” Was all he said as if that told me everything, when it only confused me greater. Was it a good more?

Pulling up outside my house I awoke to the outside world with a frown “How did you even know where I live?” I asked in amazement.

He smiled in amusement and slightly smugly, the sparkle in his eyes never vanishing “The start of this years hospital barbeque was held here.”

Suddenly it all dawned on me “Oh yeah, your mum works with my mum, I remember now.” my awe filled down making him laugh. I also remember that on that day I had purposely pulled and invisible act with Kate, not that I was going to admit that. But knowing Gavin had been in my house before…..it was weird.

“So,” he began as I gathered my bag at my feet “do you remember what you two were laughing at today?” he asked as I opened the door and got out.

Giving wound down the window and I stuck my head in as I laughed with a big smile “No, but it was funny.” I giggled making him chuckle, his eyes in itself telling me that he was stunned and slightly in awe of this different side of me. “Thank you for the lift by the way.” I added.

He nodded curtly “Anytime. I’ll see you tomorrow yeah?” he asked.

I could only nod mutely with a goofy grin before practically skipping and dancing up my drive and inside into the house, to my own embarrassment.

Sliding in the front door my mum’s voice met my eyes “Who was that sweetie?” she asked, a smile twitching at the corner of her lips.

I shrugged trying to act casual about being in Gavin’s car “Oh, Gavin Bickim.” I said indifferently.

Her smile grew and I could already picture the questions she was about to ask and demand, and the thoughts she’d already be creating.

Before she could speak I beat her to it “Not right now mum, I'm not in the mood.”I said playing the role of stressed and emotionally distraught. As I made my way to my room with mum shouting up the stairs telling me she was going to make my favorite meal for tea and saying nothing more about Gavin I couldn’t help but smile.

Kate was right; I truly could play up the cards.

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