When You're Young

Chapter VIII: I can't do it!

* Hello readers, please comment advice, give the chapter a like and let your friends know that they should read this. I really appeciate it. The next couple of chapters get very interesting. Bye!*

I head back to my locker to drop my things off and grab my recess and I can't see Gabriel anywhere. I throw my stuff in, quite literally, and start digging around in my bag for my food. I eventually find it and when I close my locker door and Gabriel is right there with his muesli bar, scaring the hell out of me.

'Don't friggin do that!'

'Ha, sorry about that Xavier. Let's walk and talk.'

'Sure then, but are we going any particular place?'

'If we are you'll find out.'

'Ah fine lets go then.'

Gabriel and I walk in silence for a while. I follow him as he leads me through the school corridors. Eventually he leads me out the back part of the school, where the old buildings are. The school stopped using them when the newer buildings up the other end were built. And of course were too lazy to get these demolished so they sit here becoming more and more dilapidated.

'What do you want to talk about Gabriel?' I honestly don't know what he wants to talk about. Nothing has happened that could cause problems, I don't think.

'Xavier...' he begins, munching on his muesli bar

'...what I wanted to talk to you about, is...well...'

'What's wrong?'

'Well uh...oh jeez, this is awkward.' Gabriel's acting really funny, I wonder what he is trying to say?

'What's awkward buddy?'

'Oh god, I can't do it. I thought this was supposed to be easy! I practised for god sake!' What is he going on about?

'Whow Gabe, slow down. What the hell has gotten into you?'

'Ah, nothing, nothing at all. Look, sorry Zave. I wanted to talk about something but I can't bring myself to do it.'

'Why not?'

'I, I just can't ok?'

'If you're sure, but you know we can talk about anything that worries you.'

'Yeah, I know thanks. Xavier, I need some time alone, is that ok?'

'Yeah sure, just don't be late for Maths.'

I'm walking to school and it's a cold morning. The lawn had frost on it and so did Mum's car. I'm wearing gloves and a beanie as well as a jumper and pants but the cold is still getting to me. I hope it warms up because I absolutely hate cold days like this.

It's been a couple of days since the weird walk with Gabriel and he hasn't talked to me much. I think whatever he wanted to talk to me about was embarrassing, and decided its better not to talk about it. Is he avoiding long conversations though because it's awkward? He hasn't walked to school with me either, one day I seen him walking in front of me and the other he got to school after me. If memory serves me correct, today is Friday, and today is the day I'm supposed to be going over to Gabriel's house. I wonder, will he still invite me over? I'm gonna ask him in home group about it and see what happens.

When I reach school most of the other students have the same idea as me: pants, jumpers, gloves and beanies. I'm looking around to find Jeff or Gabriel and I eventually find Gabriel in the crowd. He is the only person in the crowd wearing shorts and the school shirt. He's shivering like crazy, rubbing his hands together like a hiker in the Himalayas. I can't help but stare at Gabriel, taking in all his features: his blonde streaking hair, his well-rounded face, his normal, slightly tanned, slightly white skin. I keep staring, as the world keeps moving, until he notices me. He looks at me for only a few moments before ducking away, into the crowd. I look around now for Jeff and discover he's making new friends, three of them. I walk over to him and smile at the three boys he's talking to. Two of them don't return the favour.