Persephone- Completed

Twelve.

Tom pushed up, letting me jump down, his hands gripping my waist just in time, stopping me slamming into the floor. Like always.

"Want to try again?" I turned and looked at my watch. 

"I'm good Tom. Thanks for staying. Have a nice break." I patted his arm and he smiled before running to grab his stuff and leave. Everyone else had gone already. We weren't leaving until late tomorrow morning. I wanted to squeeze as much into today as possible. I had a feeling I may not have time this week. 

This week had been mental. We come back to classes the second week of April and then exams start pretty much as soon as we're back. I'm not too concerned. I've already had confirmation of my college place. Exams just stress me out. I should probably study but I'm really not ready to go home. 

"Hey." I looked up as I pulled my jumper on. 

"Hey trouble." pulling my hair through from the jumper and watching his eyes light up. "What brings you out here?" 

"I thought I'd come watch you all practice." 

"Why?" He shrugged.

"I realised you two had watched us practice constantly but I've never actually watched you put it all together. I barely watch you when its full blown because I'm normally playing."  I smiled at him as I pulled my gym bag onto my shoulder. "Do you enjoy it?" 

"What cheer?" 

"The flying around." 

"Its fun." I nodded, crossing my arms loosely as we stood on the field. "It can be scary sometimes, you have to rely on other people to keep you safe. If they are just a second late you can break bones. You have to trust them entirely." He nodded. 

"Are you going to do it at college?" 

"Maybe. I've not decided yet." I sighed. "It would be weird going from head cheerleader down to lower base." 

"Yeah, I'm worried about that too." I looked down at my watch and sighed. "Sorry are you wanting to go?" 

"Not really but I should probably study before we leave tomorrow." 

"But you don't want to go home?" I shook my head. "Why not?" 

"You've seen my house. Its huge. And empty." I rolled my eyes. "Not having family home sucks sometimes." He nodded. 

"We can hang out if you want. I should probably study too and I can always do with someone to keep me on track." I stayed silent for a few minutes, thinking about my options. Was it wise to have him coming around? What if Will showed up?

"Okay." I looked at him and he smiled. 

"Okay I'll run home and change and come to yours." He lifted my hand up, looking at the watch, tilting his head so he could see the time. "Oh it's only 4.30. Give me 45 minutes?" 

"That's very specific." I chuckled as he lowered my hand, lingering slightly before letting go. 

"Well, I won't be an hour and half hour isn't enough time to get home, pack for next week, change and then get back to yours." 

"You still haven't packed?" 

"No have you?" 

"Yes, on Monday." My voice came out in shocked laugh. "Are you eating before you come over?" 

"What?" 

"It's only half four. What are you doing for dinner?" 

"Well what were you doing?" 

"I don't know. Probably pasta or something simple." 

"Pasta it is." He looked back and nodded. "Lets go." He turned and we started heading back towards the carpark slowly walking side by side. "So have you chosen which college you're going to?" 

"Just the local one. I don't fancy leaving home just yet." 

"No?" 

"No." I looked at him and pressed my lips together tightly. "I mean, I have the house, the gym. Everything's set here." 

"I mean that makes sense." 

"What about you?" 

"I got into one across state and here too." 

"Oh cool. Options. Which one are you leaning towards?" 

"I'm not sure. It'd be nice to stay but then at the same time, I kind of want to explore. I've not decided yet. Just mulling it over a little more." I nodded and pulled on the sleeves of my jumper. "Are you cold?" 

"A little." 

"Do you want my jacket?" I smiled at him, raising an eyebrow and lowering the other. 

"I'm okay. I'll be in the car and then home soon. Thanks for the offer though." 

"Anytime." 

"Tell me about the other school then. What made you apply there?" 

"The sports section is a little worse there actually. I applied because I was going through a 'this isn't forever' moment." 

"I have those all the time." I chuckled. "So what did you want to study there?" 

"I was thinking of going into psychology." 

"Oh that's interesting." We reached my car and I unlocked it, throwing my bag to the passenger side and turning back, leaning against the door as it closed. I wanted to carry on talking to him. "Why Psychology?" 

"It's just interesting, knowing why people act like they do. The brain has always fascinated me. Like did you know that chemically speaking, being in love gives you the same dosages as severe OCD?" I widened my eyes at his little fact. 

"Woah." 

"Right?! Mind blowing." He smiled down at me. A small silence fell between us and I coughed to break it after a few seconds. 

"So my place in 45 minutes?" 

"Yeah." I stood up and pulled the door open. "Poppy?" 

"Mhm?" 

I looked at him, one foot in the car. He looked like he was debating something. Like he wanted to say something but wasn't quite sure. 

"Do you need me to bring anything?" 

"Um." I thought back to the house. "Are you staying the night?" 

"What?" 

"Well if we're heading out in the morning, are you staying? Because I'll need to make up the spare room and if you are, you could bring some drinks?" 

"Drinks. Okay sure. I'll do that." He turned and started walking away. 

"Sonny?" 

"Yeah?" He spun around quickly. 

"Are you staying the night?" I chuckled at the fact he hadn't answered.

"If you want me too." 

"Well there's no point in you going home is there? Depending how long we study for?" 

"Okay. That's fine." He nodded, a small smile sitting plainly on his lips. 

"Okay. I have to go. I'll see you soon." I sat into the car and closed the door. I sat staring at my steering wheel for a few seconds. Tapping my fingers quickly.

Why was I excited to see him again?