WOODWORK

2nd of October

Percy yanks me down an empty hallway and pins me against a locker. He nips my lip and tugs on his jacket which I've successfully stolen.

"You look so good in my jacket." He smirks.

"Oh I know."

"Do you want to come over this weekend? I have the entire place to myself."

"Where are your parents going?"

"Dad has a conference out of town."

"Sure." I nod.

"You could use Samantha as an alibi?"

"I'll tell him the truth because I don't want to lie about where I'll be. Plus he should be fine with it because I was an adult in Australia. I could buy a house, drink alcohol and get married if I really wanted to."

"Are you sure?"

"Even though everything is backwards here, I won't be. If I want to be treated as an adult, I need to act like an adult."

"I hope he's okay with it."

"I hope taking the high road doesn't screw us over." I nervously chuckle.

We kiss and I run my fingers through his soft hair and moan. His hand travels down my side and plays with my top.

Somebody coughs and I shove Percy away. I peer over Percy's shoulder and groan at the sight of Noah. He roughly exhales and mutters under his breath.

"If I see this again, you'll both have detention."

Noah's olive green eyes pierce mine. My heart pounds and my hands are clammy. I don't want to be on his bad side any more than I am.

"It won't happen again." Percy sighs.

He takes my hand and we walk to the group. I cling to Percy's hand and he smiles.

"Don't worry about him, he's just doing his teacher thing."

"He seemed serious to me."

"I can handle him."

"Okay."

Since Percy doesn't know the truth, I have to protect him from Noah and his wrath.

The bell rings, so we head to the woodwork room. I drag my feet across the grass but it doesn't stop me from getting any closer to Noah or the classroom.

I can't escape this mess, which is why I shouldn't have kissed my teacher. I wish it was me hurt because I hate seeing Noah upset and I hate how awkward things are.

Noah keeps his distance during class by helping George. It sucks because all I have is Percy to help me.

I hold the package containing the latch and frown.

"It's only a piece of metal, but I don't know if I drill the screws in or make holes first."

"I don't think so but check with Noah."

"If you're wrong, you're re-doing my project."

"If you're lucky, I'd probably help you."

"Probably? Percy!" I smack his shoulder.

Percy wraps his arm around my waist and quickly pecks my cheek. I glace over my shoulder to ensure Noah hasn't seen us. Thankfully his back us turned away from us.

"You're going to get us in trouble." I glare.

Percy rolls his eyes. "I'll leave you be."

"Please help me, I don't know where the tools are."

"I could help for a kiss." He chuckles.

"A kiss?" I frown. "If you want to poke the bear, do it yourself."

"The tools are in the storage room and the battery pieces are on a table to the right. They should be charged, but if it isn't, then you'll just have to wait."

"Thank you for the information." I smile.

Percy leans in with a hopeful smile, so I kiss his cheek and elbow him in the stomach. He groans as I skip to the storage room.

I search through the junk until I come across the drill with a dead battery. I clip it into the charger and sulk back to my stool.

I scroll through my phone because Percy is working on the jigsaw machine and I don't want to be the reason he chops a finger off.

Something doesn't feel right, so I look up and jump. Noah has his arms crossed and he's glaring. He's almost as angry as when he found us kissing in the hallway.

I really don't want to poke the bear, but it seems like I have.

"Why are you on your phone?"

"I'm waiting for the battery to charge."

"You also need to get it painted today, otherwise it won't be ready."

"Can I stay after school to work on it?"

"The boys have training in the gym, so I can stay back today."

"Thanks."

"Pre-warning, it takes a while to charge."

"Just my luck." I huff.

The battery doesn't finish charging until the end of class and that's after I attempt to use it. I rest against the bench and glare at the stupid piece for being such a pain in the ass.

Percy puts his project away and throws his bag over his shoulder. He stands beside me with a small smile.

"Are you coming?"

"Noah is letting me stay after class so that I can finish my project."

"I was hoping you'd come to the gym."

"Exercising sounds better than this." I frown.

Percy smooths the wrinkles with his thumb and pokes my nose.

"Don't frown, I like it better when you smile."

I poke my tongue out and Percy bites it. His lips move to mine and I push him away.

"Percy," I growl.

He chuckles on his way out while I'm left with a grumpy Noah. I hurry into the storage room and grab the battery for the drill.

"How do I use this?"

There's no hiding, so I might as well ask for the help

"Let me show you."

Noah walks around the table and takes the drill. He shows me how to hold it and drills the first screw in. When he passes it back, the tool feels a lot heavier.

"Here goes nothing!"

I take a deep breath and line it up. I turn the drill on and my hands shake as the screw goes into the wood. I flick the latch across and squeal because it works.

"I should paint the wood so I can get out of your way."

Noah nods and I sigh.

When I return from the storage room, the radio is playing and he's cleaning. I perch on the stool and paint the wood. It smells terrible, but I quickly and carefully paint over the wood and smile as it comes together.

I place it to the side to dry and wash the paint brush. I grab my things and stare at my shoes.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Noah."

He nods and I slip outside into the fresh air. I look between the gym and the parking lot; both unappealing. I take my phone out and send him a message.

'I'm going to walk home, see you tomorrow.' - Charlie.

Shoving the phone into my back pocket, I start the long walk home. The breeze whips through my hair and I smile. I finally have some space of my own.