gavin (#projectnoisno) || ✓

V: BEING GAVIN'S SUPPORT

B E I N G    G A V I N ' S    S U P P O R T

I wasn't really the most discreet person in the world which was probably why Natalie Gordon approached me. It was hard to get pass the weekend knowing what Gavin went through but it was harder to go to school with the person who did it to him and act like it was nothing.

This morning I was talking to Maki by my locker because fortunately I wasn't late for school this time around – most likely because I'd been having trouble sleeping without thinking about how Gavin broke down in front of me – and I was actually at least twenty minutes early. Maki was pleasantly surprised to see me and I tried my best to smile genuinely to hide my inner turmoil. She talked about an assignment and I nodded my head every once in a while to pretend that I was listening.

The familiar giggle of beloved Natalie Gordon rang through the halls and my eyes shot daggers at the source almost immediately. Natalie Gordon had a distinct laugh. Melodic and dainty. It was the sound of wind chimes for joy. Only she could have the finesse to pull off a laugh like that.

Maki followed where my glare was directed to and the way she furrowed her eyebrows at me was a silent way for her to ask "care to explain?" and I knew I couldn't explain a story that wasn't mine so I ignored her facial communication.

Natalie threw her head back as she laughed and I wanted to know how it was so easy for her. How carefree she was, not realizing how much trauma she could cause someone.

I wasn't good at showcasing the emotion of anger but it seemed like I did a pretty good job this time around considering her friend, Ayla, noticed me. Ayla whispered something to Natalie and sure enough her sapphire blue eyes met my brown ones. I turned away and grabbed Maki's hand as we escaped through the sea of students in the hallway.

"What was that about?" Maki asked me once we were nearing the room for our first class.

I decided to give her something because knowing Maki, she wouldn't let it go. "Gavin just told me his side of the break up."

She nodded because Maki Ryou was a lot of things but she respected a person's privacy the most. "Okay but try not to get too involved in this, Ingrid."

And I wondered if she would be telling me that if she actually did know Gavin's side.

***

I hadn't seen Gavin anywhere today. Monday was usually where we barely see each other because our schedules were different to the point where we didn't even have the same lunch period but I couldn't help but feel worried. Maki could see me fidget from across the lunch table and she'd been looking at me in a bothered manner. I knew she wanted to know more about Gavin's story but she hated invading other people's privacy. Maki was the type of person who'd rather claw her eyes out than to watch a leaked celebrity sex tape.

A silence loomed over the cafeteria for a few seconds and that only happens when someone important entered. Important also meant the popular people of the school. I turned my head and heaved out a heavy sigh as I watched Natalie and her posse enter. Her flawless long legs were on showcase with the circle velvet skirt she was wearing and the tight fitted off shoulder top showcased all her curves in the right places. The rest of her friends looked amazing as well and it always felt like watching a fashion show take place.

Right now I just felt like I was watching a rapist get away with what she did.

"I'm heading to class," I said to Maki, pushing my tray away.

"Ingrid – "but I was already out of the table before she could finish what she was saying.

My eyes bore holes at the side of Natalie's head and this time, when she looked at me, I didn't turn away. Her face showed surprise because I knew Natalie Gordon wasn't used to be given direct glares. Not everyone liked her but no one ever directly disliked her.