Inhuman [Keveridge/Shier]

26

When I awoke the next morning I was chilled and alone, having fallen asleep above covers whilst in the protection of Shane's warm arms; However, now the space beside me was tidied and abandoned. With a small sigh at the thought of starting another day I pushed myself into a seated position, running a hand through my hair before looking out across my bedroom. Shane's belongings were gone, similarly to the previous time he'd stayed, yet this time there was no noticeable note from him. Admittedly, the lack of care for my own feelings caused bile to form in my throat, despising the idea of him believing that leaving without informing me beforehand was selfish and cruel. However, I didn't have time to ponder any longer on the thought, having to jump from the bed and hurriedly shrug on various items of clothing at the realisation that if Drew was already angry at me, turning up late to college again wasn't going to help any more.
"Laurence," I called for him once dressed, standing in front of the mirror to fix my disheveled hair. "Laurence?" I soon called again, noticing a confusing absence of the man. Turning around to face my room once more only then did I realise how alone I was at that moment; he wasn't there. Dampening the surface of my lips I made a grab for my backpack before hurrying from the room, poking my head around each doorway of the upper floor, finding nothing, before speeding down the stairs.
"Laurence!" I cried out, having never experienced a morning routine without him near for years, causing my breath to be released in short spurts and my pulse to race. I didn't understand.
"Laurence, plea-" I was cut off my the sight of my Mother in the kitchen, turning from where she was making tea to watch me with a look of pure disappointment.
"Kier?" She mumbled questioningly, eyebrows creasing before her lips pierced together; I couldn't deal with this again.
"Umm, i-it was nothing," I stumbled out, conveniently grabbing my phone from a nearby counter and waving it towards her. "J-Just n-need to contact a friend."
Regardless of how ridiculous I knew the lie was, I couldn't bring myself to explain to her the truth; besides, that would mean telling her that I spent the night with someone without her knowing, which would only cause more conflict between us. I was too tired.
"As long as everything is okay," was her incredulous response, nodding slightly before turning back towards the kettle. I released a timid sigh of relief before cautiously entering the room to grab an apple for breakfast before heading back towards the door. "Kier," She suddenly called for me, bringing my head to turn back towards where she was looking at me once more. "You know you can speak to me if you need something, right?" She then asked, giving me a near gentle smile, one which I've hardly seen since the appearance of Laurence.
"Y-Yeah." I could only stumble out, before turning back towards the door and hurrying from the house, locking it quickly behind me then beginning the journey towards college. Unlocking my phone, I immediately brought up my messages before typing a panicked text to Shane then shoving it into my back pocket, not wanting to see the response just yet.

Did you see Laurence at all when you left? I don't think he's home. x

Upon entering College I hurried towards the Humanities building where Drew usually spent his free time, finding him at our usual spot yet didn't appear pleased at the sight of me.
"Hey," I mumbled out, fringe timidly falling in front of my face and finding interest in the floor while under his intense stare.
"Hi." He coldly replied, turning towards his phone in hand.
"Umm, listen, I-I'm really sorry about the other day, I-I don't really know what c-came over us and-"
"Why did he flinch when I touched him? He won't tell me." He cut me off, looking up from the device to stare towards me, awaiting the response I couldn't give him.
"I-I don't know," I lied, hating the words the moment they left my lips, but it was out of my control. "H-He wouldn't speak to me about anything anyway. W-We don't know much about another."
Drew merely hummed, not appearing entirely convinced. "I really don't understand you two." He admitted quietly, his shoulders dropping as he gave up with his interrogation.
"I don't really either." I replied, hoisting myself up beside him. "It's difficult to understand where you stand with him."
Drew nodded in agreement, exhaling shakily before straightening his posture, numbing his emotions away. "So, umm, nice weekend?"
"Just revision," I replied, shrugging slightly. However, I was made slightly uncomfortable by the sight of Drew staring at something on the right hand side of me from the corner of my eye. "Nothing exciting, you?"
"Bull." He replied, his signature smirk resting on his lips as he continued to stare. "That bite is not 'nothing exciting'."
"What?!" I squeaked out, frantically turning my phone camera on to find the love bite Shane had left the night before and gasping at the sight of it; it wasn't easily avoidable, the colours dark and angry as it covered a wide surface.
"So, who's the lucky guy?" Drew interrupted my staring to tease me, a dark blush forming on my cheeks at the thought.
"N-No one," I stumbled out. However, he merely glared in response. "J-Just someone from group, y-you wouldn't know him..."
"Well, tell me about him!" He pushed me further, a large grin on his face which only made me more frustrated at his behaviour. "What's he like? Is he hot or?"
"Drop it, Drew." I mumbled, fingers curling into my palms as I failed to continue the lie.
"What happened for you to get a mark like that though? And if he's at that group should you really be doing things like that with him, I mean, he's ment-" 
"I said, drop it, Drew!" I spat, not wanting to hear the end of his sentence in fear of how he'd portray Shane and I. "It's none of your business! Besides, since when have you cared about my love life anyway?!" 
"Alright, alright," He replied, tone lower than previously as any trace of his smile was wiped from his face. "There's no need to be so defensive." 
"Maybe you should learn when to back off, yeah?"
"Fine." He grumbled, jumping from the table and throwing his bag over his shoulder. "But maybe you should stop hanging out with Shane so much, you're beginning to mirror him." He growled, before hurrying up the stairs towards his class. I decided not to follow him, beginning to head back in the direction of home.