Levitate (An Andy Leo x Dave Escamilla story)

Levitate - XV

I had never met anyone like David before. In my sixteen years of life, I had never met someone who could make me feel dizzy, excited, and nauseous all at the same time. He gave me the same type of rush that you would get at the beach. The feeling of exhilaration and pure fear when you swim out just far enough for your feet to stop hitting the sand, toes hardly touching the firm surface of familiarity. The sudden rush of excitement for whatever could come next, but the fear that only God himself could strike into you simply because the waves could take you at any moment and that would be your end. A demise brought upon yourself by your own hand. The day Bennett considered me dead was the day David made me his top concern.

I asked to speak to him at lunch and for some reason, he felt bad. From that moment on, I wasn't aloud more than ten feet away from him at all times. Ever. Bathroom? Only with Dave escorting me. Everyday I had a ride to the cross streets only a couple blocks away from my house, but that in itself made Dave even more suspicious of me.

"C'mon. I'll just drop you off out front." He would insist, which only spiked my anxiety. Each time I insisted he not, he only grew more speculations which lead me to today. Tonight, I would be spending the night at Dave's, of course by his request.

I placed the black journal in my backpack and began my way to the normal spot we met at, the day having been a half day, so after lunch we would all be able to leave. As usual, the second Brandon was always the first one there, itching at his facial hair as he waited for Jacob. When the group was finally assembled, Hayden grinned, devilish smile sprawled across his angled facial structure.

"Well boys, last time I'll see you guys until after Thanksgiving. My attic is always open." He smiled, Brandon Hoover grinning at his side. With his words came a small rumble of laughter and several people began walking away from the group, leaving myself, Hayden, Brandon Hoover, the other Brandon, Jacob, and of course David.

Scanning the groups of students, my eyes landed on Bennett, making my palms sweat and my throat dry.

"One second, alright?" I murmured to Dave, pushing away from him softly. His brows perked and I could almost smell his discomfort with the idea, arm tightening slightly in the final moments.

"I'll be right there." I chuckled, patting his side softly.

"Trust me. I know what I'm doing. I'm fine, alright?" I asked, only to earn a stiff, almost painful nod. I nodded back before walking over to Bennett, sitting next to him on the little ledge. He looked up momentarily before looking back down at the sandwich in his lap.

"Hey." I muttered softly, looking down to the scratches on my arms.

"Hey." He murmured back, his eyes still not meeting mine. I pulled my legs up onto the ledge and sat with them criss crossed before looking back to him.

"I'm sorry." I breathed, head falling between my shoulders, fingers coming up to tangle through the dark strands of my hair.

"I'm sorry that I violated you and made you feel upset. That was never my intention. I just wanted you to know that I felt nothing and that I wanted you to stop picking on me. Okay?" I asked, eyes begging for him to look up. Benn looked up only to blow his breath at the blonde strands of hair falling in his eyes. He grabbed one of the sandwich halves and placed it on my knee before taking the other half and biting into it.

"Don't." He murmured.

"Shouldn't have been so rude to you. Shouldn't have called you that. I still did all your assignments because I felt bad about it." He sighed, taking another bite after his statement.

"Thanks, man." I chuckled, taking a bite of the sandwich before looking up once more. My eyes met Dave and I jumped slightly, exhaling loudly to calm my nerve.