Painting Our Destiny [COMPLETE]

Not so Secret Places

Chapter 3

The next day...

It was break and I had gone off to my usual spot in the woods behind the school. I like to think that it is my own secrete spot that I can just escape to, even though anyone could walk into it at any time.

Two years ago I had found this quiet spot deep enough into the woods that I wouldn't be disturbed but close enough to the school that I knew when the bell rang, indicating the end of break. I was sitting on one of the large branches at the top of an old oak tree as I glanced out through the leaves at the field between me and the school.

Below me was a small area with no trees. Just big enough for me as it was around six feet by seven feet big, surrounded by a thick cluster of trees making it almost impossible to see from the other side, let alone find the entrance.

Today was a day like any other I would come here at the start of break, dump my bags at the bottom of the tree and climb to the top with a book or sketch pad. Today I had chosen my sketch pad and was drawing a little bird that was perched on a branch a metre away from me.

It was chirping merrily as it hopped up and down the branch when it suddenly stopped and flew away. Confused I started looking around for the disturbance that frightened it away.

After around a minute of scanning the trees my eyes locked onto a blue jacket that was walking towards the clearing whilst humming to himself.

Not knowing who this person was I pressed myself against the tree trunk looking at the figure hoping he wouldn't see my bag on the ground as he neared the entrance. Luckily today I had decided to put my bag under a low hanging branch. I peered over to my bag I realised it was almost hidden.

Holding my breath I returned my gaze to the figure who had now started to walk towards the entrance. Getting closer and closer.

Please, please don't be a teacher!

The school had strict rules about leaving the grounds during the school day and especially about going into the woods. If I was caught it would be detentions for the next month probably...

I was snapped out of my thoughts as I heard branches being moved around as the figure made his way through the entrance. All I could do now was wait...

As the figure walked around the small clearing he pulled his hood off his head and dropped his bag onto the ground. Shock struck through me as I realised who it was.

Corey.

"Hey Corey" I whispered just loud enough that he could hear me. His eyes widened in shock as he realised he wasn't alone and started to look around quickly.

"Up here," I called sitting myself back on the branch.

"Ash? Is that you?" He asked as his gaze finally landed on me.

"Yeah. How did you find this place?" I whispered.

"I decided I would wander around the woods then found this place. Why are we whispering?"

"Just in case there are any teachers around... I guess you don't know much about the school rules yet? Basically we aren't allowed in the woods."

"Oh, I never took you for a rule breaker."

Blush decided to make its way onto my cheeks. Thank God I was so high up he probably couldn't see it!

"I don't know whether that is a compliment or not but I'm just going to take it as one."

We both laughed.

"Why do you come here?"

"Is this like twenty questions Corey?" I said as I bit on my lip trying to suppress a giggle.

"Umm.."

"It's fine, don't worry I was just playing with you! I just come here because it's peaceful and quiet, I like to think of it as my spot."

"Oh sorry I didn't mean to intrude then," he said as he turned around to pick up his bag.

"Hey wait where are you going?"

"I though I would leave you to your peace and quiet.."

"I didn't mean it like that! Come up here you've got to see this view."

I waved my hands in a beckoning motion to emphasise that I was serious as he dropped his bags and started to climb the tree.

Once he reached the branch I was sitting on, I reached out to help him up. Grabbing his hands I pulled him up onto the branch next to me.

Letting out a long breath he said, "that was quite a climb. Do you do that everyday?"

"Yeah you get used to it," the blush returned to my cheeks as he looked into my eyes.

Quickly turning my head and readjusting myself on the branch I realised we were still holding hands. At the same moment I think he realised to as we pulled our hands apart at the same time. And of course the blush on my cheeks had to deepen into a dark crimson red.

What is going on with my cheeks, it's like they are on blush over drive!

After a couple seconds of silence it was broken by Corey.

"Wow..You were right the view is amazing."

Looking up from my hands I followed his gaze to the biggest gap in the tree's branches which was filled with the view of the large field that stretched between the woods and the school.

"Yeah, it is beautiful but if you get to school early in the winter and come here you can still see the Sun rising over the horizon behind the school."

As I said this Corey looked over at me a small smile on his lips making his dimples appear. Something flashed through his eyes, an emotion I couldn't quite place. Unsure of what it was I just ignored it and looked back out at the school. I heard Corey mumble something as he turned his head back towards the view and leant back on his hands, fingers grazed mine in the process. A spark shot up my arm from the contact.

Ok so I haven't felt something like that in a long time. Not since...

Brrriiinnngg

"I guess we need to go now."

"Uh..yeah let's go," I said as I started to gather my sketch book and climb down to the ground, Corey following me at a careful pace.

When we both reached the ground and had gathered our bags Corey asked, "what lesson do you have next, we might be in some of the same ones."

"Yeah give me your timetable and I'll have a look," I reached my hand out as he passed me his timetable and I started to compare our lessons.

"Ok so it turns out we have art, maths and science together," I said whilst handing back the piece of paper. "We both have maths next, good luck our teacher is a bit...uh...temperamental."

"Should I be worried?"

"Just do what she says and try not to get a target painted on your head."

After a confused look was glanced my way I quickly corrected myself," you know metaphorically..."

"Oh that makes more sense. I was starting to think your school was crazy," Corey chuckled. Only then did I realise how melodic his laugh was as it rumbled through his chest.