Lacking Conviction (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 5: Poor excuses

Song Suggestion: Khalid - Better

*****

"My fucking chips!" I glared at Jackson, as he grabbed another handful of fries off of my plate. "Get your own!" I snapped, disgruntled, earning a hearty laugh from Ben.

"You might have to do as he says, he looks angry." Ben snorted, uncaring of my glare that was now directed at him.

"He can't, they've closed the canteen down." Emma piped up helpfully, smiling at Jackson nicely.

"Thanks Emma, at least someone, is on my side" He sighed dramatically, getting a playful shove from Craig,

"No one likes you that's why." Craig said smirking, laughing when Jackson blew him a kiss. I nodded to Craig, "Get a room, Jesus..."

Emma suddenly shoved her food towards Jackson, smiling at him, "I'm finished, you can have my food.."

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I slowly reached in to grab it, noticing the myriad of missed messages.

12:34

Grayson: Study session during lunch. Half 1.
Grayson: You better be there, or else you are in trouble.

13:12

Grayson: Meet me at the library.

13:29

Grayson: This isn't looking so good...

13:31

Grayson: You're late.

13:47

Grayson: You'd better have a good excuse prepared.

Shit!

"Guys I have to go, see you later, yeah?" I say hurriedly not waiting for their reply, standing up instantly, slinging my bag over my shoulder. I got a few weird looks from my friends at my sudden nervous departure, but it didn't matter. I'd rather not have to listen to one of Graysons boring rants, that was the reason I was walking so fast.

The only reason.

Maybe I should slow down a bit, I don't want to seem eager to see Grayson again. Because I'm not. He pisses me off.

My heart thunders against my rib cage and I scowl at my chest, willing it to slow down. Maybe I have a heart condition that I didn't know about until now.

Why do I care? I'm only a couple minutes late, it's not like I'm in any actual trouble...

Why is the library on the other side of the school! I hate whoever designed the building and their entire family tree. Checking the time on my phone, I was indeed half an hour late.

Bollocks!

When I had arrived at the library, I had to take a minute outside just to make sure that I didn't look as worried as I felt, desperately trying to calm my racing heart. Why am I so nervous? I wrung out my clammy hands and opened the door to the library, scanning the large building looking for any sign of him. For a hopeful couple of seconds I thought that he had left because of how long I had taken, but then someone cleared their throat to the side of me.

Instantly my gaze turned to the noise, and I locked eyes with Grayson. He looked relaxed sitting down in the plump red library chair, as if he had owned it, but his eyes held a certain brittle quality to them.

He was pissed.

I slowly walked over to him, not in any rush, (he doesn't need to know that I ran here) and before I had the chance to apologise, not that I was going to, he started speaking.

"Sit."

I plonked my ass down on the chair opposite him on the table wearily.

"Explain. Now." He bit out sharply, making me jolt.

I should have thought of an excuse damn it.. What should I say? My Nan died?

Ah fuck I didn't have a Nan!

Shit he's still waiting for a response!

Quickly! Say something!

"Nan!" I yelled out, instantly getting shushed by the librarian. His look of puzzlement made me cringe inwardly. I would have laughed if it was anyone else.

"I m-meant that my phone ran out of battery.."I exclaimed nervously, half impressed how quick my brain worked. I didn't need tutoring sessions, if anything he needed me. I felt smug.

He could learn one or two things from m-

"Then how did you know to go to the library?" He raised his eyebrow, demanding me to lie.

I hadn't thought about that. Perhaps I do need these tutoring sessions after all...

"Guessed haha... You seem mad? Is something the matter?" I chuckled nervously, running my mouth as I religiously wiped my sweaty palms on my trousers under the table. He narrowed his eyes at me, not impressed one bit.

He leaned in so suddenly, that I reared back defensively, cringing on how stupid I must have looked to him. I didn't have time to dwell on that when he grabbed my tie all of a sudden, pulling my face to his, nose to nose.

I swallowed thickly, absorbed by his sharp angry eyes. My brain felt like mush, unable to think with him so close, his heat engulfing my entire being. Instinctively I placed a hand on top of his, trying to pry it off of my tie.

"Apologise" He gritted his teeth, glaring into my soul. I hitched in a breath, his proximity way too close to mine, unable to think of anything comprehensible. My mouth opened then instantly closed, not wanting to obey so quickly.

Usually I was the one intimidating others! Not the other way around!

If he thinks for one second I'm apologising he is dead wron-

"Apologise!" He snapped, and like water from a fountain, the words poured out of my mouth uncontrollably.

"I-I'm really sorry!" I rushed, my heart thumping loudly, I wouldn't have been entirely surprised if he could hear it too. I fucking stuttered... embarrassing.

He demands with a dark look in his eye, "For what?" He waits impatiently for my answer.

He raised one eyebrow coolly and pulled tighter on my tie, constricting my ability to breathe properly. Not like I could with him up in my business like this.

"For uh keeping you waiting." I breathe out nervously when he doesn't say anything else, waiting patiently for me to continue. "And... And for lying to you?"

I tried shrugging nonchalantly after I had quickly apologised, trying to pretend that I didn't care. That he didn't affect me. But after looking at the somewhat appeased look on his face it was too late.

"You're forgiven. Don't let it happen again." He said in a low tone, "I won't be as lenient next time..." He said ominously before letting go of my tie, sitting back down like nothing had happened. What does he mean by that?

This was going to be a long session.

I sank into my seat miserably.