Shapeless

Ch 7 amnesia

Skyler sighed, the lunch bell ringing in her ears. She stretched, legs cramped from sitting for the required school hours. Blinking repeatedly to cover her exhaustion, the dark haired girl straightened up. Scanning the room, she caught her breath when she spotted a familiar boy standing in the doorway. Jason? How long had he been standing out there?
Getting to her feet, she stumbled a bit, head throbbing from a gradual headache. She blinked, slightly annoyed. The headache had been on and off all day. Sometimes it was there and sometimes it wasn't, but Skyler didn't think she was dehydrated... sShe shrugged. It will go away eventually. She forced a sleepy smile on her face, curtsying at the door.

"Hey there little lady." she grinned teasingly, making Jason roll his eyes halfheartedly. "Hey! I thought we already established this!" he smirked.
Skyler walked past him. "In your dreams,." she stuck her tongue out. Jason shook his head, full of amusement.
For whatever reason Jason was being extra protective of her today, walking her to and from classes. He never took his eyes off of her and when she looked into them, they had a notion of worry that she didn't understand.
Jason kept inching closer to her as they traveled, making her cheeks heat up. What was going on? Was he still worried about what happened with Kash? Her eyes softened. That would make sense. They walked on in silence that was eventually broken by Jason.
"So, uh, how are you feeling?"
Skyler thought that was an odd thing to ask but she answered anyway,. "Uh, I am doing okay as usual, I guess..." aA yawn escaped her and Jason's eyes darkened with concern. "Are you sure?" he prompted. "Nothing out of the ordinary?" hHis childhood friend looked at the floor, not stopping her footsteps. "Well there has been a-" Jason stared at her, drinking in her words. She broke off uneasily. I'm sure it's nothing... she started again. "I have been having a slight headache-" she gritted her teeth as a throbbing sensation gripped her head again. "B-but it's nothing too serious,." she added quickly.

Jason had gotten closer to her, so close that she could feel the heat of his strong shoulders brush against hers. This time she bit her lip to stop her face from heating even more. It's nothing to be freaked out about! Just that the guy that has a huge crush on me is walking right next to me!
She steadied her breathing, hoping her nervousness wouldn't show. Jason hadn't noticed. He frowned to himself in thought. "A headache?"
Skyler nodded curiously. "Yah,." she waited anxiously for him to interrogate her again. Instead, he stopped her by grabbing her hand and digging through his backpack. "I am sure it's nothing."
Skyler tried to reassure him. "I am probably just tired-" a yawn gave emphasis to her words. She tilted her head, when Jason didn't reply, continuing to paw through the bag on the floor. He finally straightened up with something in his hand. He approached her, hand on her forehead.
Skyler bit her lip nervously, head tingling at his warmth against it. She tensed when she felt something cold against her temples. Jason grabbed her hand and placed it against the bag of ice he had given her. Skyler sighed. Already, the throbbing was dying down. She turned to him, suddenly shy. "Jason..." she smiled softly.

Jason blinked. He had never seen such a tender look on her before. He smiled in return. "Did that help?" he prompted, trying to ignore their closeness. Skyler just nodded, touched by his sweet concern for her. Her elementary crush was starting to show itself again and she didn't really know how to react. She winced at another throb of her forehead.

Jason protectively wrapped his arm around her shoulder, looking down at her. He scratched the back of his head with his free hand. "Is this okay?" he asked. Skyler nodded, immediately looking down to hide the blush. Now he's asking for consent. That was more attractive than she liked to admit.
She let him lead her down the hall, wrapped in his warmth on one side. "Well, this is where I leave you." he sighed, stepping away from the shivering girl and turning away.
Skyler felt a jolt in her heart, without hesitation, Sshe grabbed his hand before he could leave. "Wait!"
he blushed, hand tightening around hers. "What?" he asked softly. Skyler smiled that rare smile again, brown eyes grateful. "Thank you."
Jason's expression softened. "You're welcome sleeping beauty." he kissed the back of her hand, stepping away to sit at his own table of boys.

Skyler hesitated. For a moment she bit her lip, half of her wanted to follow him but she shook herself. What has gotten into me? She thought. It was only Jason, the cocky obnoxious flirt! Why was she acting like this? Maybe the headache is making me delusional!

She shrugged, reluctantly joining Ella at her table. The encounter had given her butterflies but that still didn't explain why Jason was acting like this.
She frowned, wondering what had spooked the boy so bad. Why was he being so protective of her, more than usual. She sighed. Secrets... more secrets. Haven't I had enough encounters with those... she glanced around the cafeteria, and guilt gripped her. None of them knew. Not even Ella was aware of the dark past that Skyler was desperately trying to keep from the world. But nothing stays locked up forever. She just hoped that when the time came for the truth to be spilled that they would understand. She shivered vaguely wondering who would stand with her and who would stand against her when that happened.