I've Got You

Chapter 10

Wednesday, 23rd Feb

"Y/n/n! Shake a leg, man! I don't wanna be late for work."

"I'm coming!" I yell back down to Mum from the top of the stairs. Putting my water bottle in my backpack, I push my duffle bag with my foot and watch it tumble down each step.

"Dude... common." She gives me a disapproving look from the bottom of the staircase, gesturing to the bag now in front of her feet.

Her keys hang from her right middle finger and the front door is wide open behind her, bringing in a nice morning breeze.

"What?" I smirk, and jog down the stairs and out the front door, picking my bag up on the way. Mum follows close behind me.

Today's the day we're off to year 11 camp! Everyone raves on about this camp so I'm really excited.

"See ya, Y/n/n. Mmm, I'm gonna miss you, possum." Mum pulls me into a tight hug once we've pulled up at school. I kiss her goodbye and then head through the front gate.

About a quarter of my year is already there when I walk in, talking with their friends in the undercroft. They all have their suitcases or duffles by their feet.

I look towards our morning picnic table  to try to spot my friends. My eyes land on Wanda. I smile at the sight of her. She looks so cute. She's sitting alone at the table reading. My eyes glance down to the cover of her book.

OH MY GOD!!!

Annie On My Mind!!!???

Surely I'm seeing things...

Butterflies flutter up in my stomach and my ears suddenly feel warm.

I pull my eyes towards her again. Her red hair is pulled neatly into two French braids and the sun hits them just right, making her natural golden highlights seem to sparkle.

She looks breathtaking.

I have been trying to stop myself from staring at her this past week but I really just can't help it. God, I'm doing it again. I must look creepy just standing here, admiring her.

I decide to head towards the table. Her red duffle sits next to her on the bench so I decide to sit opposite her. She's the only one here of our friends so far.

"Hey." I greet. She looks up from her book and into my eyes. The smile she gives me makes my heart soar and I can't help but get lost in the small, brown speckles at the bottom of her irises.

"Y/n/n, hey!" Her eyes suddenly widen and she looks down at her book, blushes and then quickly shuts it, shoving it into her messenger bag. "So... umm how are you?" She chuckles nervously, trying to figure out if I saw the book or not.

I give her a smirk but decide not to directly address her behaviour, instead continuing on with the small talk.

"Wanna be my bus buddy?" She asks after a few minutes of conversation.

"Yes!" I say, too fast if I'm honest. I look down to avoid her gaze, "I mean yeah, I'd love to."

Then it hits me. Iris! Fuck! I'm always her bus partner. I'm sure she won't mind... right?

Right...

After a short while, everyone is here and we all line up in homerooms to board the busses. Luckily 11A is on the same bus as our homeroom, so we get to be with Ettie and Maddy.

After Mrs March marks the roll, our homeroom heads out to the busses. Wanda, Iris and I all walk in a line and chat to each other on the way out. Before we get to the bus though, and when Wanda is occupied talking to Krista, the girl she sits next to in homeroom, Iris links my arm with hers.