Fake Tales

Chapter 3- The Charm Offensive

Chapter 3- The Chase

I woke up late. Seriously late. Late like I had literally five minutes to get ready. I jumped on the bus without saying goodbye to my parents and I knew my clothes and hair looked muddled and messy. I'd wanted to speak to Dad since I'd not really had a catch up with him last night but he didn't get up this morning, tired from the flight I suppose. I sat down and fussed over my fluffy mane of brown curls, trying desperately to look presentable. Not that it mattered considering I hadn't cared what I looked like for the majority of my time at school.

I'd been kept awake half the night thinking of him, just as I had known I would. Just as I had every night since he'd been gone. I'd only just sat down when I felt another's presence beside me.

"Morning" Tom said brightly. Surprised, I glanced at him and found him holding up my iPod.

"You left this with me yesterday" Tom said kindly.

"Oh thank you I thought I'd lost it!" I said, taking it from him and shooting him a grateful smile. Maybe I would be able to go to sleep tonight.

"Your welcome Maddy" He said graciously. His smile made me uncertain of what to say next.

"Want a headphone?" I stuttered, holding it up.

He smirked at the nervousness in my voice. "Only if I can pick the songs?" He replied.

I scowled at him in reply. "Seriously?" I scoffed.

Tom cocked one eyebrow up and held out his hand expectantly, sighing and I stared at him. Was he for real?

"We haven't got all day Maddy" He said teasingly and I surrendered, handing him my iPod and frowning.

I tried to relax as he chose the songs in silence. I hated that he made me a nervous wreck like this, but judging from both his reputation and the smirk on his face, he knew I wasn't immune to his charms. I wasn't naive enough to not know he wasn't nice like this to every girl. He wanted something from me, and I was hoping with all of me that it wasn't what I thought it was.

"You got any plans this weekend?" Tom asked and I broke out of my thoughts to stare at him.

"Oh nothing really. Might go and watch Dom play football... how about you?" I replied, trying to be nonchalant and most probably failing.

"Oh...nothing really either" He replied, looking distinctly uncomfortable. He looked away and I frowned, thinking I'd upset him. Before I could think of a suitable reply, he was speaking again-

"Are you and Dom together?" Tom asked and I burst out laughing for what felt like the first time in years. He wasn't the first person to ask me that, but it was so far from the truth that it was laughable.

"Me and Dom?" I cried. "Of course not! He's a good friend" I replied, grinning when he looked relieved. It had never been like that with Dom and I, always strictly platonic. The meaning behind his questions made me uneasy; I didn't want Tom to be concerned with my relationship status. It didn't matter how charming or good looking he was.

We lapsed into silence again and I sat there in discontent. I had the feeling that I shouldn't talk to him as much. I couldn't be around guys like him at the moment. I hadn't seen it until now, but after Greg, I didn't interact as well with guys outside my group of friends. When the bus pulled up outside school, Tom handed me my headphone back and I took it with a smile.

I got up without saying goodbye and hurried off the bus. Maybe it seemed like an overreaction, but I panicked at him being so interested in me. I was heading towards my table, where Mel, Dom, Ana and Dean were already sat.