Ghost (Second Edition)

Chapter Four--Bittersweet Winds

Luis

The wind was bitterly cold, biting through the worn cloth of Luis's jumper. He pulled his hood up and hunched his shoulders, hoping to keep most of the chill out. It was a Monday morning, and he was trudging along to school as slowly as he could, his feet crunching leaves like dry bones.

He glanced up, spying the large, ivy-covered building in the distance, standing like a tall tower from hell. In truth, it looked rather bland and boring, but it was one of the places he viewed hell would look like.

He stopped about half a kilometre away, hiding behind a small, narrow tree, biting his lip. His heart slammed against his ribs painfully, each beat sending a jolt of fear through his body.

He could see the students arriving at the school, pulling up in cars or walking. He could hear their voices carried on the wind, their laughs like soft wind chimes on the air.

Luis gripped the tree as he watched, the bark rough against his skin, digging into his palm. He normally waited here till most of the school had entered the building, it was the easiest way to avoid most of the bullying, but he couldn't wait forever.

A sleek black BMW pulled up outside the front of the school, making students turn and stare, and the girls start to whisper.

Luis's heart gave a nervous flutter when Nathan stepped out, clad in a long black trench coat and grey jeans, the wind blowing his hair across his forehead. The trench coat brought out the bright blond of his hair and the blue in his eyes. He was frowning and his face was serious, like it always was when Luis saw him in the school halls, and what strangely drew Luis to him.

Nathan had never noticed him before, so it had been a shock when he had saved him that day. He had noticed him. He wanted to be friends with him. That wasn't something Luis had expected from him at all, nor was it something he was used to.

"Let me help you."

Nathan's words echoed around in his head. Words Luis had never heard before. They gave him hope. Was it possible he would want to be more than just friends?

Stop it! He wouldn't want someone like me... Luis shook his head to clear it. He should be grateful that Nathan had even looked in his direction, it was best not to fantasize.

He took a deep breath, the bitter cold of the air searing his lungs like a dull-bladed knife. He took a step forward and made his way towards the school, trying not to look at anyone, he just wanted to get to his locker.

There was a light tap on his shoulder as he stepped inside the large glass doors, making Luis jump and whip around in fear, a whimper escaping his throat.

Nathan looked at him, his eyes wide as he pushed away from the wall he was leaning on. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," he murmured.

Luis let out a silent sigh of relief and shook his head. "It's alright," he muttered.

Nathan dug his hands into the pockets of his trench coat, shifting his weight. "Want me to walk with you?" He asked.

Luis looked up at him, shocked, his heart giving a small flutter. "Uh... s-sure," he stammered, "but only if you want to!" He added hurriedly, flushing in embarrassment.

Nathan gave him a small smile. "Why wouldn't I want to?" He asked, leading Luis down the hall.

Students stared at them as they passed. The girls constantly tried to get Nathan's attention, waving at him and calling his name. Many of the boys just nodded politely to him, while they leered down at Luis.

Luis didn't look up from his worn sneakers. The student's mocking laughter and harsh words burned his ears and made him want to curl up and hide.

"Hm, Andy's not here today," Nathan observed as they walked past the boy's messy locker.