Chasing the Storm

My darling

The next morning Sky was waiting for her with a knowing smile.

Beam's cousin phoned last night after he finished his own assignment, but she told him that she didn't need his help. Someone else had beaten him to it.

"Morning, Sky."

"Morning, Beam. So, what happened last night?"

Beam looked around the class. They were early so there were only a couple of other people in the room. But she leaned in and kept her voice low regardless.

"Well, I had to cancel plans with P'Payu last night to the task P'Som gave me and then he turned up."

"P'Payu came to help you?"

"Yeah, he brought dinner and then he asked what's been going on."

"You told him, right? About the gossiping?"

"Yeah..."

"And? Is he going to do something about it?"

"I think so. Sky, he asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Finally! I hope I didn't interrupt anything when I called last night?"

"No, he was just helping me, but..."

Beam hesitated. She wasn't sure if this was something she should talk to Sky about, but she didn't have anyone else.

"What is it?"

"I don't know how I'm going to get anything done. I can't stop thinking about him!"

Sky's only response was to laugh.

Over the next few days, the gossip washed over Beam. She was still giddy from Payu solidifying their relationship. His goodnight texts had turned into calls, and they talked until Payu said it was time for bed. Beam had sweet dreams after listening to his voice.

However, the next time she saw Payu was at the next student council meeting. Som was going over a list of tasks that needed doing that week and Beam had a feeling what ones would be given to her. While she was trying to think of a way to say no, even though she'd never manage to say it out loud, the door opened and Payu walked in. Everyone in the room greeted him enthusiastically, but Payu kept his expression blank.

"Som, can I talk to you?"

"Of course, P'Payu."

Som followed Payu outside, and the rest of the student council started whispering. Sky leaned down to whisper in Beam's ear.

"Did you know he was coming?"

"No, but he was supposed to be picking me up later."

When Payu and Som came back in, Som avoided eye contact while Payu headed straight for Beam. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly for a moment. When he released her, he held her hand in his hands as he pressed his lips to her forehead. Everyone stared at them.

"I'll wait for you outside."

The meeting didn't last much longer, and Beam wasn't given anything to do. Sky nudged her as they walked out of the building.

"P'Payu took care of P'Som and the gossip in one go."

As Beam approached Payu, he studied her intently. She thought he was going to say something, but instead, he opened the car door.

"Let's go."

She was a little confused and fiddled with the ring she was wearing as she waited for Payu to get in the car. But once he did, he glanced around before leaning over and taking her chin between his thumb and fingers and kissing her briefly.