Marcus

            A head of flowing red hair catches my eye as i walk down the school hallway the nest morning. I stop in my tracks as Hailey struts around a corner out of my view. Thinking back to the party I remember Collin saying something about having slept with her. That’s right, she also seemed to be holding some sort of grudge against Collin when I was watching her at the party, and she seemed sort of…….unhappy?

If she it’s true that she slept with Collin, which I have no doubt that it is try, then that makes her a likely suspect. A girl who really liked Collin, is thrown aside, she sees us in the locker room and bam photo taking time, perfect way for revenge right? Still something seems a bit fishy.

Unwilling to lose her I push my way through the crowd of teenage bodies, until I catch a glimpse of her crimson locks. When I come into a safe distance I see Alix and Martie standing by their lockers.

Perfect, now I can watch her without seeming too suspicious.

Sliding in next to the girls I give them a polite greeting before locking my eyes back onto the ginger.

“Hey Collin what’s going on?” Martie greets excitedly. The smaller girl somehow always seems to be full of bubbles, even if her day has gone to hell, there she is bouncing about and smiling widely in her 5 foot 2 glory. Her sister stands next to her calmly, with a polite smile on her face. The two twins couldn’t be more different.

Martie the hyper tom boy who is always excited about something, always making jokes, and laughing loudly for the world to hear, Martie who loves to hit and laughs in the face of fear, spunky and dangerous she is the absolute opposite of her older twin sister.

Alix is taller than Martie by a couple of inches, standing at a gorgeous 5 foot 5, her hair reaches down past her chest in long chocolaty waves. Unlike Martie, Alix is always calm and collected, gazing around the hallways observantly with the beautiful air that she always has about her. Some people would say that she’s intimidating, but she’s really just extremely shy unlike her bubbly charismatic sister. Although I make her out so be some sort of speechless beauty I have to admit that I’m lying a bit. Sure she is beautiful but when you get to know her well enough, she is just as bubbly as her sister, especially when they get in a humorous conversation together, they have so many similarities and yet so many differences.

“If you’re looking for Collin he went to the library, he said something about needing to finish up some homework.” Alix informs me, her eyes locking onto me suspiciously.

“Oh yeah?, that’s fine I won’t bother him,” Two identical faces raise their brows, “What I mean is that, I tend to distract him when I’m around, so it’s better if I stay away so he can finish up his work.”

Martie laughs loudly, the sound rising from deep in her belly; it’s a thick, rich sound, like melted chocolate. “oh Marcus you insatiable dog you!” she beats her hand against my arm humorously then turns to say something clever to Alix, chuckling I nod turning my gaze back to Hailey while the two are distracted by each other.

The pale girl is deep in conversation with a pair of boys, her hand comes up to rest “innocently” on one boys bicep as she throws her head back in an incredibly fake- not to mention forced -laugh. The boy’s chuckle along with her probably not even realizing that she didn’t say anything remotely funny because the heads that they are using aren’t the ones set upon their necks, but are the ones lying within their pants.

It’s pathetic really, to watch them be completely played by this girl, but I suppose they are playing each other aren’t they? Oh well I can’t say I’m one to blame them, I can’t even count the numerous times I was stuck in a horribly embarrassing position because of Collin. In class, at lunch, in the locker room after lacrosse practice, DURING lacrosse practice, how many times had I caught myself thinking with nothing but my very own teenage hormones?

Still does this girl really have the guts to expose Collin like that? Even if it’s a lie, what exactly did she get out of that? If she was looking for revenge it was short-lived. The school accepted mine and Collins relationship faster than I had anticipated.  Maybe it was because I’m well like amongst the vast majority of the student body, or maybe it’s just because they really didn’t care at all.

Either way, the girl didn’t get what she wanted; she just got Collin to admit he’s gay, to admit to being my boyfriend, even if it’s a lie. Then again maybe she didn’t think that far ahead, and maybe she really didn’t care about the results, maybe she was satisfied with that small twinge of pain and panic that Collin exposed to the students briefly. She fed off of that like some sort of mosquito, and now she’ll move onto the next victim?

“So, why are you tracking the ginger huh?” Martie says quietly from below me, startled I turn my gaze towards her and in attempt to cover up my undeniable stalking, end up twisting my tongue around itself in a series of unintelligible words. Martie giggles happily and applauds my weak attempt at a cover up, “Oh that was lovely, the stuttering was definitely resourceful, totally don’t believe your stalking her…, so anyhow, the ginger, want to tell?” She questions batting her sister on the arm.

A moment of silent communication passes between the two of them, then Alix reaches into her bag and pulls out a pack of gum, she hands her sister a sliver stick of the mint chew and in return gets a cute smile of gratitude, before Martie unwraps the stick and shoves the gum into her mouth.

“Uh I don’t know...” I start to say, Alix cuts me off with her look of complete and sincere understanding.

“If you think we’re going to blab on your secret you’re wrong, we are very good at keeping secrets, plus maybe you would like our help?” She asks, and when Martie sends her another looks, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out tube of Chap Stick, tossing it to her younger sister. Martie grins happily and pops the cap applying the sweet tangy smelling balm to her lips.

“Yup Alix speaks the truth Marcus, we take it to the grave, unless you don’t want us to.” Martie informs me while tossing the Chap Stick back to her twin.

For a minute I just sit and analyze the two girls, before I decide to take complete and utter trust in them, “Ok so, I’m trying to figure out who took those pictures of me and Collin-

“Oh, you’re talking about those really steamy pictures of you guys in the locker room,” Martie sighs blissfully, before snapping back to reality and again slapping me on the arm, “Why did you not inform us of your love for Collin?”

“Martie that’s beside the point, let him speak and stop interrupting!” Alix orders, Martie snorts a snide comment but goes silent.

“Anyways,” I continue, “Collin and I decided that whoever took the picture must have some sort of grudge against him, that would be the only reason that someone would do that, and of course with Collins past it’s only fitting that it be one of his many one night stands” Pausing here I turn to gesture carefully to Hailey who is still flirting with the two boys across the hall. “That girl is my prime suspect.”

“Huh,” Martie observes, stroking her chin with her thumb and forefinger, “I see this seems like a mystery for…..” Stopping she turns to look at me and Alix. “The three musketeers”

Alix snorts, “Are you serious?”

Marties face falls into a look of mock sadness, “What I thought it was funny, whatever never mind, we will dig up what we can on all of this for you, alright Marcus!”

“Yeah that would be great, you know just listen around see if you hear anything significant, someone took the picture, people don’t just do stuff like that without bragging to their friends, that means someone out there knows who did this.” I sigh in frustration.

“Yeah, well we’ll keep an eye out for you!” Martie informs happily, “For now, don’t you think it’s time to go and find your boyfriend?’

Fake boyfriend, I want to say, but instead I just nod and walk towards the library. Inside the library is quiet almost like a graveyard, full of teenagers who are dying of boredom. Books upon books line the walls of the large room, giving the illusion of infinity. The room smells of old books, and glue. Behind the huge desk towards the front sit the school librarians. Two extremely fine women who seem to know everything there is to know about anything. I suppose that’s the result from reading so much.

Silently I head towards the back of the library, where there is a small alcove of comfortable couches and armchairs. As I turn down an isle of books to where the alcove is located, I immediately spot a dozing Collin. His eyes are closed, his eyelashes creating dark half-moons on his pale cheeks. His is open slightly, as his breathe rushes in and out of his mouth escaping between those plump pink lips. His head is resting on the side of the high backed armchair he’s sitting in, the book in his hands dangling dangerously low towards the floor in his slack hand.

Grinning I walk quietly towards him, pulling the book lightly from his clasp and setting in on the table, then I take a seat in the chair across from him. Checking my watch and seeing that there is still thirty minutes before school starts I decide to let him sleep. Laying my head against the chair I stare across the table at the younger boy, his skin seems so pale and flawless despite the light scattering of freckles that covers his nose and cheeks.

Unexpectedly he jerks awake, his eyes widening in panic, as he inhales deeply, making the sound of a man who just broke the surface of an ocean he was trapped under for a long period of time. Collin gasps for breath, panic stricken; sweat begins to bead on the surface of his forehead.

 Standing I move over to where he sits gripping at his own clothes fervently as if trying to rip through them making sounds of pain. Sitting on the couch next to him I pull Collin into my arms, holding his body against mine. He doesn’t protest to the intimate embrace instead winding his hand in the front of my shirt dangerously, as I hold him I feel his body trembling fearfully in my arms.

Did he have a nightmare?

His quaking body, his sharp breaths, his sweaty body, and his tightening grip on my shirt tells me the answer. I pull his body against my chest protectively, but gently so I don’t scare him, and then I start making sounds of hushed comfort, stroking my hand over his head and arms, attempting to transfer my calm and warmth into his skin. Gradually Collins body relaxes, and his shivering comes to a halt. His sharp intakes of breathe disappear, replaced with deep long inhales, of comfort. His hand clenched into the front of my shirt loosens until it’s just lying comfortably against my stomach.

“Marcus.” Collin sighs wistfully from where he’s lying against my chest. “Marcus, I’m happy you’re here.” He breathes out.

“I know, now close your eyes, there’s still a half hour before school starts, so you can take a nap.”

“Ok, just for a few minutes” Collin agrees attempting to snuggle his head closer to me, pushing it into the crick of my neck. Silently I just hold him on the couch, listening to his breaths as he slips off into another bout of sleep. Only this time he doesn’t wake up, he just continues to sleep calmly and deeply through the next half hour.

I relish the feeling of his warm body wrapped in my arms, the feeling of him lying here where I can hold onto him forever, protect him, and never let him go. He seems so young and innocent, and….vulnerable. The desire to keep him like this forever rushes over me, and the thick feeling of protectiveness scares me.

Never before have I wanted someone completely to myself, I want to keep him away from anyone who might hurt him, I want to hold him in my arms all day, and all night, until morning, how can I ever let him leave my sight? Who knows what could happen to him in the time I’m away?

The bell for people to start heading for class rings signaling the nearness of the school day. Collin yawns against me, his body tensing as he stretches in my arms, and then comes to a relaxed stance in my arms.

His blue eyes turn to look up at me, and I smile, “Hey.”

The blush that runs over his cheeks is priceless, and so is the way he squirms embarrassed in my arms. When he finally decides that I won’t let him go no matter what, he rests back into my arms, “Hey.” He says quietly.

“Did you sleep well?” I ask brushing some hair back from his eyes.

“Yeah, did the bell ring?” He asks, resting his head back against my chest comfortably. The feeling sends thrills through my spine. Holy shit, Collin is lying on me because he wants to. There are no words for the teenage bliss I feel at this moment, I never knew that I could feel such dramatic happiness over something so completely silly, but here I am.

“Yeah, just a second ago.”

Collin makes an annoyed sound of protest, digging his face into my chest with a moan, sending volts of electricity through my body. When he’s done he peeks up at me, “You’re really comfy.”

“Yeah?” I ask smiling down at him.

“Yeah,” He repeats, his face becoming serious. Collin pulls himself to a sitting position in my lap turning his head to look at me, “You know…..I have a really hard time sleeping, unless I’m drunk, but usually I have nightmares that keep me awake.” He stops to gaze at me, his eyes full of questions directed towards me or maybe no one in particular, “yet for some reason…..with you I sleep fine.” Our eyes meet, and we hold the gaze without a hint of awkwardness to be found. We don’t say anything, we just look at each other, and it feels…..so normal. Looking into his eyes so calmly like this, with him being so close to me I get the urge to kiss him, just to pull him forward and kiss him, not hard but softly so that he knows how I feel, so that he can taste my sincerity, feel it in the way I touch and hold him. “I haven’t been able to sleep in a very long time like that.” He informs me, his hands coming up to grip my shirt, his fingers press onto my chest, the slight pressure bringing the realization of how close we really are.

“Maybe…I should sleep with you more often.” I offer, staring back into the pools of blue oceans that are his eyes. I wouldn’t mind drowning in that ocean.

“Maybe.” He says again, then the tardy bell rings, and he’s jumping out of my lap and grabbing his bag from the floor. He doesn’t even turn to look back at me; he just continues to walk out of the library. When he’s gone I laugh at my own stupidity, how could I have thought that he feels anything towards me. Sure I’m a remedy for his slumber, but nothing more, I can protect him but I can’t have him.

Sighing I push myself up off of the soft couch, that I seem to be sucking me into its deep plush cushions. It’s lucky that I survived this long. When I come to a standing position, I notice the white book that Collin was reading sitting on the low coffee table that is placed in the middle of the armchairs and couch.

Great he forgot his book.

Hell, I’m already late I might as well run it to him right?

Throwing my back pack over my shoulder, I grab the white book and make my way out of the quiet, dead room. The halls are mostly empty besides a few stragglers who are rushing to make their way to class; I don’t see Collin anywhere, which means he must have already booked it without even realizing he had forgotten the book.

Heading towards the English department I flip through the book, taking note of all the areas that Collin has highlighted or written side notes on. His writing is neat and straight, unlike any other boys, like everything else about him his writing is perfect. As I flip quickly through the pages something falls out of the book and onto the floor.

Great, I have it for five minutes and I destroy it, I think as I bend down to pick up the paper. It’s thick and smooth like a photo, and when I turn it around a two familiar smiling faces look up at me.

The picture is of Collin and I, during lacrosse summer, Collin is still small and beautiful, while I seem to have been going through some awkward stage of puberty, where my body seems to long and thick to fit right in my clothing. The shirt I’m wearing is pulled tight against my chest, from the mass muscle gain I achieved that summer, not that I ever lacked muscle, but working out every day, and playing lacrosse certainly helped. Collin is laughing brightly with his arms around my neck as he is piggybacking me, his chin resting on my head. I’m holding his legs that are clamped around my hips with my hands, making sure that he will not fall.

The picture brings back so many memories of that summer, memories that I have been holding close to me for as long as I can remember. Clearly, Collin has been holding onto them as well, why else would he have this picture tucked into the plethora of English pages. The thought has my heart puttering inside my chest, and I take a deep breathe to calm myself, quickly tucking the photo back into the book before starting off down the hall towards Collins English class.

The door is shut when I arrived, and the class has gone silent as the teacher seems to be explaining about some upcoming test or project for the class. Most of the kids are falling asleep, or texting underneath their desks. I look around the room through the small glass window, searching for Collin’s white t-shirt.

I spot him near the front of the room, bending over his back pack seeming to search frantically for something. His hands push through the plethora of organized books, before giving up, he slouches down in his seat laying his head in his folded arms over his desk, dejected.

My cue.

With a smile I push open the door, watching as a couple dozen heads pop up to look at me, and suddenly the whole class is at my attention. Collin hasn’t looked up, probably still morning the loss of his English book. The teacher pauses her mantra of whatever it was she had been talking about to look up at me curiously. The silence in the class is almost crushing, but me being the always happy, charismatic, and liked Marcus Alexander that I am, I keep my head up high.

“Well……Mr. Alexander, to what pleasure do I owe this visit?” the teacher asks, and silently I wonder how she knows my name, I’ve never even had her class. Then again Collin and I were the talk of the school lately.

At the mention of my name Collins head shoots up from his desk and he turns to look at me, his eyes are wide with surprise, as thoughts of why no doubt run through his head at rocket speed. Smiling I lift up the book, “Collin forgot this in the library,” Nobody says anything; they just continue to stare, anticipating my next move. Collin doesn’t move from my desk, but a crimson blush slides up his cheeks at the sudden weight of attention, “Would it be alright if I give it to him?” I slowly ask the teacher.

She coughs into her fist and nods, “Very well do what you must.” Smiling I make my way over to where Collin is sitting, expecting the teacher to continue with her lecture. She doesn’t, instead keeping her eyes trained on me as I move in front of Collins desk and lower myself placing the book on the desktop.

Collin doesn’t say anything he just stares at me, “Nice picture.” I smile, patting the book.

Collins face scrunches up in confusion, as he stares at me but then a bolt of realization hits his and his face turns even redder, if that is even possible. His pink lips open as he tries to find words to explain the picture, but unintelligible mumbles are the only thing that comes out, so he gives up and turns his utter embarrassment into anger. “What are you doing here?” He asks peevishly.

“Is it not obvious, I’m returning this to you, I thought you might need it.”

Collin glares at me, but I can tell it’s half-hearted as his eyes soften for a brief moment before once more becoming steely. “I don’t need it.” He mumbles crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.

“Oh really?” I ask coyly, “I swear you were searching your bag for it, like a lost child looking for his mother a moment ago, but you know if you don’t need It I can just put it in my locker.” I grin standing quickly and grabbing the book preparing to walk back to the door, but Collin’s hand darts out grabbing mine.

“Wait!” He shouts, smiling I turn back to him giving him a look of surprise. “Oh so you do need it?” I snort. Rolling his eyes he pulls me back towards him, and I set the book down, before turning my attention to him. He just stares at me for a moment, and I smile as I feel the attention of all the students and even the teacher locking onto us.

“Should we give these people something to see, since they seem so eager?” I whisper in Collins ear. As I pull away he gives me an alarmed look, his eyes widening, but before he can protest I lean forward, grabbing the back of his head in my hand to pull him the remaining distance. Our mouths crash roughly, and I feel Collin gasp in shock against my lips, before taking the opportunity to slide my tongue in between his plush pink lips. Collin panics for a moment, his body jerking in my hands, but slowly he calms and slips tentatively into the kiss, his lips moving against mine slowly. It only lasts a second, but that second is bliss, and as I pull away I give Collin a small smile before nuzzling his nose with mine. “Bye.”

“Bye.” He sighs, his eye lids fluttering, and I hold back a sigh of appreciation at the small sign of his waning refusal at my advances, bringing myself to stand, as the girls in the class squeal in joy, and the teacher blushes, bringing her papers up to fan herself. I walk to the back of the room, and murmur an appreciative thanks to the teacher before turning to wink at Collin, relishing his blush, and heading out the door to my first period.

In auto later that day, I’m met by an ever bubbly Martie, who welcomes me loudly, announcing my late arrival to the whole class. The teacher doesn’t seem to care though, as he absorbs himself in the exterior of a car that he’s been working on for a month, when he sees me he just grunts a hello before fixing his attention back to where it started.

“So, I’ve been asking around about Hailey.” She updates me, as we sit and work on our car design assignment. My Car is turning out to be, sort of ridiculously impossible, but hell, he never said it had to be realistic.

“Yeah, what did you dig up?” I ask sketching out a blast of fire, protruding from the flame thrower hooked to the back of the Mercedes.

“I was talking to this guy, who had a crush on her a while back you know, and he said that she’s a complete bitch-

“Wow, thanks Martie, like I couldn’t have figured that gem out for myself huh?” I snort, as I finish up a row of spikes jutting out of the inside of the tires. Damn this car is bad ass, and never going to happen.

“I know, let me finish instead of interrupting asshole!” Martie scolds swatting me over the head with her pencil. Despite the object being so small the lick sends a twinge of discomfort throughout my skull, I turn to scowl at the small girl but she just beams innocently. “Anyhow, he was talking about how he asked her out on a date once, but she went on a rant about how the only person she was going to date would be Collin, and how she was drawing up plans to obtain him for herself. The kid said she’s kind of crazy but not in a nice way, in one of those cracked up psychotic ways.”

So, she did have a crush on Collin, just like I predicted. Yet regardless of all her planning to get Collin, she never carried through with any of the actions, so why would she now choose to do something like this. How did that girl switch from like to dislike in such an insignificant amount of time. Obviously something must have happened to make her go crazy like that right?

Did Collin say something?

Why doubt it, Collin tends to be blunt and cold hearted when others pester him. He’ll act warm for the first night, and then afterwards there is no warmth, only a barren ice land. At least for others, for me, even though there is a barren ice land, if I walk far enough I reach where the ice begins to melt, and grass springs up from the soil in thick green tufts under a sun that shines bright and warm down on my flesh. But that area of Collins heart is only open to me, no one else has ever been able to bask in that area of his heart and soul, they only get a watered down replica when they first meet him. A replica that is completely fake.

“He also said something about her hanging out with this one kid a lot lately, but I didn’t catch the name before he got pulled off by one of his douche bag friends you know?”

I give her a nod of silent acknowledgement turning back to my drawing, the paper is so marred by bizarre objects that I can’t even tell where my original design began. Crumbling up the paper I toss it into the garbage can resting by the door, before pulling out a blank sheet of paper and starting anew.

When the end of the day school bell rings I allow Martie to take me by the arm and pull me out the classroom door towards her locker, as she babbles on about video games, explaining every little thing in such detail that I probably would never ever have to play that game in my life. Still the excitement in her face as she chatters on and on puts a smile on my face.

Alix is standing by their lockers when we arrive and almost immediately she turns her attention to me, her face taking on a somber appearance, “Marcus.” She greets desolately.

“Alix?” I respond intriguingly, stopping myself in front of her.

Alix glances off into the rush of kids all on their way to their designated locations for the day, whether it is home or somewhere else, everybody has a place to go. Her expression slips into one of distressing gloom as she stares off with no particular focus.

Revolving her head back towards me she seems to regard me with curiosity, tentatively opening her mouth to speak her next words, “I discovered some information today.” She announces. The diffident way in which she speaks has me on my toes, my nerves prickling up in dreaded eagerness.

Why is she talking like that, as if somehow this information is going to harm me?

“Yes?” I question calmly, leaning forward slightly in my shoes.

Her mouth opens as if to speak, but no words come out, and it seems as if she is reassessing whether or not to present her finding to me, but finally she looks up at me confidently. “I found out who took the pictures.”

She found out who took the pictures? The confusion settles into my head, where it seems to stick and muck up any rational thoughts that may have been stirring inside only moments before. “What?”

“Yes, and regrettably it’s not Hailey. “Alix adds this time full of conviction.

“Well who is it then?” Martie cuts in anxiously, her eyes darting between me and her older sister.

Alix allows Martie a quick side glance before throwing her attention back to me, “It’s Timothy.”

 Hey everybody It's authors note time!!!!!!!!!!! 

First of I would like to say thanks to you few who are supporting my story, it's so very kind of you, I really appreciate it. If you have any advice for me please feel free to let me know, just swing me a message, or comment!

Anyways, what did you guys think of the chapter huh? Too boring, fun lacking? Let me know! 

What do you guys think about Timothy being the one who took the photo????

Is it true, is he really the one who took the photo?

How is marcus going to react when he finds out???

let us find out in the next chapter!