Avoiding August (ONGOING)

Chapter 12

"Don't worry, mijo; I'm just glad you're okay." Ms. Tenaz said as she held her son close to her chest, as if hoping that he would fuse into a piece of her heart.

She had burst into the house in a flurry of long, sleek hair and glowing skin, shoes clacking on the shining hardwood. As soon as she saw her youngest son, she had clutched onto him and demanded him to tell her what had happened.

"I should have known they were painting our house. And I should have cleaned it off." Gabriel pouted and sulked in her arms. His mother shared an amused look with Thandiwe.

"It's okay, mijo." She brushed a gentle hand through his dark hair, before letting go of him and standing up from the lounge. "I'm just glad no one's hurt. But that August..." She trailed off for a moment, as if deep in thought. "... It's suspicious that he helped you, isn't it?"

It was Louis' turn to sulk. "He said that he owes Quinn."

"I think he's trying to get in her pants." Gabriel, always the big-mouthed kid, commented. Louis spluttered and rejected the idea passionately.

Quinn frowned. Was it impossible for August to be drawn to her? Irritation seeped into her voice as she asked, "Why wouldn't he? Am I not attractive?"

Louis blushed; red spreading over his face. "That's not what I said. I mean, I hope he doesn't. He'll break you."

Humming agreeably, Ms. Tenaz called, "Louis has a lot of sense, darling. Stay away from August; he's a devil when he wants to be."

"Yes, Ms. Tenaz." Quinn replied. However, the bitter taste of a lie sat heavy on her tongue as she said it.

"Thank you, Aleta! Your cooking is the best!" Quinn cried out from the front door, pulling on her shoes. Louis was by her side, hands dug into his pockets.

When she finished tying her laces, he helped her up, then, together they waited. After hearing that Quinn was planning on walking home, Louis had disapproved strongly, and implored her to just get dropped off by him and his parents, as her house was on his way.

Fidgeting was a timeless quirk of Louis', and Quinn barely had to spare him a glance to know that he was skimming his fingertips over the hem of his long shirt.

"Hey... Quinn."

"Yes?" She replied, slowly looking over to him. "What's up?"

His eyes squinted at the ground from behind his glasses, and toed at a loose pebble from Ms. Tenaz's perfect garden. "Um... I was wondering..."

My pulse raced with concern, curiosity nailing my attention to him. "What about?"

Across the road, I saw a light switch on, but I ignored it in favour of Louis.

"Um... I..."

I decided to attempt to encourage him, playfully, gently squeezing his shoulder. "Hey, you're making me nervous, Louie. Spit it out, will you?"

"Can I kiss you?" He blurted out, and before I could reply or do anything, I felt a soft pair of lips on mine.

I felt one hand on my hip, and another coming up to brush against my neck. His lips moved against mine in a cautious way, as if Louis didn't want to frighten me. Louis. Louis. I'm kissing Louis. For a moment, the overwhelming emotion of my first kiss flooded me. Did I like Louis, or was I just feeling sentimental?

Experimentally, I looped my arms around his shoulders and pressed forward against his lips, applying more pressure and reciprocating. In turn, Louis tilted his head to accommodate my ministrations.

I felt heat growing in spots all over me; my face, my chest, my neck, my stomach; I felt myself burning with... Well, what exactly was I feeling? To tell you the truth, I didn't know.

As his lips began to grow more urgent against mine, I slowly pulled away, my hands leaving him, and my lips leaving his.

He looked as out of breath as I felt.

"I like you." He breathed out, and I didn't know what to do. "Would you go out with me, Quinn?"

"Um..." I searched for a reply. I like you too? I don't think I feel that way. But... I did kiss him back. Maybe I do? Ugh, I'm so confused.

As if sensing my millions of frazzled thoughts, Louis smiled, blue eyes soft as he told me, "You don't have to reply right now. You seem unsure, so I'll wait until you can answer me."

I went to say something, though I'm not sure what, when headlights came, drinking up the dark pavement driveway.

"That's my dad now. Let's go." Dazed, I followed him.

I spent Sunday rolling around in my bed, feeling confused. I read three books to keep August and Louis out of my head.

Monday came, and I decided to forget it all. When I was ready, I would see my feelings. Dad was finally home, and woke me up extra early so that we could make eggs and bacon for breakfast together. When we finished eating it with mum, she dropped me off at the side gate of the school, where there were less people, and I wondered in.

I was somewhat excited, now, with most of my apprehension settled. Mr. Watson had announced that today, we would have a practical lesson, instead of theory. My old music teacher had said we would conquer theory first, but Mr. Watson allowed three practical lessons a fortnight.

With this in mind, when the bell rang, I found Gabriel, Thandiwe and Louis. Together, we walked to our roll call rooms, seeing as they were all near each other.

Louis and I sat together in roll call, at the desk nearest to the door. I tried not to feel the urge to answer his questioning, hopeful eyes. I needed to wait and see how I felt; I didn't want to mess this up.

"So..." He started. "We'll need to schedule the second half of our Star Wars marathon with the guys at lunch. Are you free next weekend again?"

I smiled gratefully. He seemingly had caught on. "Yeah, I'm free then."

"Cool."

We continued conversing lightly as we waited for the bell to ring.