Listening to Empty Spaces: A Lost and Found Novel

Chapter Four: A Study of Human Behavior

    I arrived at school and was surprised to see Camden. He shoots me a brilliant smile, showing off all those perfectly white teeth of his. He heads my way and I'm not sure what to do. Do I stay and wait for him? Do I just go into the school (it's not like we've known each other long). Camden takes the decision out of my hands, he has long strides and reaches me before I can make my decision.
"Hey Havenlee." He says still smiling.
"Hello, Camden."
"You remember my name."
"I doubt I could forget the guy I stumbled into dropping all my stuff."
"Is that the only reason you remember me?" And he gives me a look filled with so much heat I swallow and promise myself I'm fanning myself here.
"Of course it it," I scoff. I look over quickly at him and he's wearing a small knowing smile.
We enter the school and he says, "I heard you met the guys."
"You mean shy Weston who only pretends to by shy. Happy go lucky Braydon, And the total egomaniac, Masters. Yes you could say I've met them."
Camden laughs, "You aren't going to judge us on out first meeting."
"With Masters there was no first meeting. He high tailed it out of there right after you basically claimed you all as Kings Of the School."
Camden put's his head into his hand and groans. "Listen Master's has some baggage," Don't we all I wan to say, don't we all, "He's out resident playboy, but this only really happened because of—"
"I'm sure you not telling secrets are you?" Olivia drapes herself over Camden and I force myself not to roll my eyes.
"Olivia what are you doing here?" Camden asked.
"Just saying hi to one of my favorite guys."
"Get off me." Camden peels her arms off of him and gives her a look of disgust. "I was having a pleasant discussion with Havenlee and you interrupted. So keep your hands to yourself and leave us alone."
Olivia gives me a good of pure hatred and flounces off. "Thanks," I murmur. "I'm not so great at confrontation."
"We're going to toughen you up, kid. Don't worry I don't want you to lose your sweetness and innocence, I just want you to know a few basic moves in case anyone comes at you."
After what happened with Paul that sounded great. "I'd like that. I can pay you I mean I can..."
Camden rolls his eyes and huffs. "I don't need your money Havenlee , I'm doing this as one friend helping another."
Before I can stop myself I throw my arms around his middle, "Thank you. Thank you so much." Then it hits me, I just assaulted Camden Cross in the hallway of the school. I pull way story and begin to stammer. "I...I...I so sorry, I'm n-n-not usually that impulsive."
"Be impulsive with me anytime you want." Camden says, ignoring the students watching us.
"We should get to class," I murmur quietly.
"If you say so, Havenlee." I know the moment the artificial light hits the bruises on my chin and cheek.
"WHO DID THIS!"
I've never heard him so angry. "No, it's nothing, I bruise easily."
"These are fingerprints, so don't try to get me you slipped and fell. In fact..." He begins to pull my sweater off despite my fighting to keep it on. Once it's half way down his hisses when he sees the mottled bruises on my arms from where Paul had dug his fingers into my soft flesh.
"Havenlee," Now it was all controlled violent "Who did this to you." I shake my head.
"It's like I said I bruise easily. It was an accident." I couldn't tell anyone about Paul. He was Shudder's drummer and their sound was so perfect, I couldn't risk a confrontation. God, who knows if FItz would believe me, or take my side. He'd known Pauls a hells of a lot longer than he's known me.
"I'm taking self defense classes with you.  Shouldn't that be enough?"
   "Enough for what? Do you hear yourself Havenlee.  You want me to teach you self defense against the person who did that, I'm not stupid.  But I don't know this person.  I don't his weight, or his heights, nothing.  I'm going into this handicapped.  And I certainly will not stand by and see you bruised all the damn time."
   "I won't be," I blurt out.  "I promise, I won't be."
   "Know this Havenlee, because I know you're struggling I won't keep pushing you.  But it I see it happen again I don't care what you say, your father and I will have words."
   My head sunk.  That was the last thing I wanted.  I wasn't a very good liar, and I know I'd spill everything and then ruin it to boot.
   "Come on, classes we go."