Avoiding August (ONGOING)

Chapter 6

I always get so surprised when I see that someone has viewed my stories, because it's extremely hard to find new stories here.

It just amazes me how someone has chanced across 'Avoiding August' and took the time to read it. So, thank you so much for sticking around; it means a lot to know that you're here and reading what I write.

"Miss Bentell?" I looked up from my desk at the sound of my name.

"Here." I called back.

"Miss Bentell, I have some exciting news for you." The quiet classroom grew silent when our music teacher said this. "You're being moved from Music II to the higher class, Music III. Your results have been exceptional as of late, so from today, you'll be attending your music class downstairs."

"Oh." I felt the burn of gazes on me.

"Mr. Watson said you could start today. Do you know which class it is, Quinn?"

I knew exactly which classroom it was, because I passed it every time I came to music class. I passed the room of people getting taught how to master music by Jeremy Watson, who was, in fact, a world-renowned entertainer.

My eyes were wide as I nodded. My hands were numb, but I somehow managed to pack my bag and leave the room. My arms were jelly, but I still somehow could force myself to knock on the blue door.

Mr. Watson answered it, and welcomed me in. He presented me to the class, and I could barely hear me over the squealing ringing in my ears. He pointed to a desk in the classroom right at the back, and although I had horrible eyesight, I didn't protest.

I dragged my feet and dropped into a plastic seat.

I nearly fell out of it while Mr. Watson started to recite a fascinating, thought-revolutionising lecture of alternate minor key signatures. All because of the boy I didn't notice, who was lounging right next to me.

"Fancy seeing you here."

I narrowly avoided whiplash. My light eyes found his dark ones.

"Y-you."

"Yes. It's me. August." I was bewildered to see that he actually owned a notebook; an open pencil case rested in the left corner of his desk and a neat row of pens were arranged in front of it. A full page of bullet points blared at my eyes.

I knew he was pretty good at violin, but I didn't think he was that good. Why was he in the top music class? And why was he taking notes? Never, in the five weeks of school that if been here, had I ever seen August Right use a notebook, or use a pen of his own.

I didn't voice my curiosity. Most people would be offended if I'd ask them why they were in the highest achieving music class in Australia. Because, obviously the answer would be they were there for something.

If I offended him, I'd probably be stabbed to death. Maybe that was what the pens were for.

August Right was a deadly person. And I didn't want to disturb this miracle that was playing out in front of me. I kept my mouth dutifully shut, instead choosing to focus on Mr. Watson, I wanted to make a positive first impression on him. I kept quiet for a good while, until...

"You're Gabriel's friend, right?"

I glanced at him, then chose to put my own notebook on the table and start copying notes from the whiteboard. I didn't look back at him.

The he expression he wore was downright devilish.

I sensed that it didn't change when he leant forward on his elbows and fixed his eyes on me. "Come on a date with me." I dropped my pen and froze. "And stop taking these notes, you have them written down already on the other page. "

"No."

He lowered his head and I couldn't look away all of a sudden. I pondered over what he was thinking about doing. Was he going to do something embarrassing, like he did to Gabriel? Holding my breath, I stared as he bit his lips.

His eyes smouldered more than Gabriel's ever would. "If you don't go on a date on me..." He paused, and faintly I realised he was about to blackmail me. His calculating eyes didn't leave my face as he finished his threat. "... I won't leave your friends alone for even a second."

My face was growing red; I could feel it. "... If I go on one date with you, will you leave them alone?" I couldn't believe myself. I wanted to disappear.

"Whatever you want, Quinn." The lull of his smooth voice was quiet. His loud grin spoke volumes.

I didn't understand what that grin meant, but it was making me anxious.

I ignored his previous order, to pick up my pen and write in my book. But, he plucked the black pen out of my hand, and before I knew it, he was writing a series of numbers at the top of the page.

"What's that?" I already knew what it was.

"My number, so my kitten can call me whenever she likes." My eyes went wide at what he called me. "Also," he lolled his head over his right shoulder in the manner of a self-assured lion. "Give me your phone. I need your number."

"I can tell it to you instead-"

"You'll lie."

We shared a long look, and he outstretched a hand, palm up and his stern eyes demanding my obedience. As if under a spell, I retrieved it from my bag and placed my mobile phone into his hand. He unlocked it. I didn't have a passcode.

He bit his bottom lip as he concentrated in transferring the new set of numbers into his own underneath the desk. All the while, I felt flutters of anxiety holed up in my stomach.

He handed my phone back to me, gently.

The rest of the lesson, he didn't speak a word to me. He didn't even do anything to pick on someone. He just sat back in his chair and wrote neat dot points into his book.

All the while, during this silence, I wondered, why on earth does he want a date? Why me?

A/N: Thank you for reading! ^^ Vote if you like Greek yoghurt haha.