I Do Need You

Chapter 10_The Couple

It's me on the tall stool again . I really couldn't push myself to opening the envelope last night . It doesn't feel right yet . I'm just going to hold onto it a bit longer before opening it . I guess I'm just a bit afraid . I hear a knock on the door , interrupting my thoughts . I make my way off the stool to open it but Amanda beats me to it .

She opens the door and to my surprise I see Taylor grimacing as he sees Amanda instead of me . Not this again .

"Alexandra , what have you done to your face ?" He asks Amanda and I can't help but snigger . He darn well knows it's not me . The two of them just don't get along .

"Haha , that's real funny Tyler ," she snides before walking past me and up the stairs . They're definitely still not over their fued .

I make my way to the door and Taylor and I both burst out laughing .

"You didn't tell me she was here ," he looks at me expectant . Dude , I didn't know she'd be here either .

"Yeah , I'll explain later ," I roll my eyes at the thought of a conversation revolving around her . "What are you doing here ?" I narrow my eyes and smile shyly . This is new .

"I came to pick you up ," he states while trying to sound as serious as possible . He fails miserably . His adorable smile covers his face . Gives me butterflies everytime .

"What makes you think I'm even going to school today ?" I raise an eyebrow at him , trying to keep the seriousness .

"I don't give a damn if you're in bed or in the shower , I am here to take you to school ," he crosses his arms in front of his chest making his biceps bulge though his white long-sleeved shirt . I think I'm pretty convinced at this point . I was going to school anyways , I just needed to figure out how Amanda and I were going to get there together . The two of us on my scooter is not the best way . I was thinking the bus but hey , Taylor to the rescue .

"Oh really ?" I cross my arms too , challenging him .

"Come on , Alex , please ," he gives in , I always win ,"I missed you , a lot ."

"I missed you too Taylor ," I respond shyly . I'm never shy around Taylor , so this feeling is so weird . I feel my cheeks flush when I notice him leaning closer to me . I think he might kiss me . His eyes close as he slowly brings his hand to my cheek , his still leaning in . Oh God , I hope I applied some lipstick .

I slowly close my eyes when his hand reaches my cheek . On cue I feel his lips close , brushing against mine , leaving about an inch of a gap between us . So close but then I feel him inhale sharply and he removes his hand from my cheek . I open my eyes and look up at him looking over me .

"Am I interrupting ?" I hear Amanda ask from possibly the bottom of the stairs . I turn around to face her .

"No... uh we were just going to leave for school . You want a lift ?" I ask politely . Please say no .

"No thanks ," she glares at Taylor , it's starting to annoy me ,"you two go ahead , it's way too early for me , I'll catch the bus ," she says with a smile , however it doesn't seem genuine . I brush off the feeling .

"Cool , make sure you lock up ," I remind her and she nods . I grab my file and notebook from the kitchen and head out the door . Taylor's already waiting at the car . He smiles when he sees me approaching . That smile .

I reach the pavement when ,"hey Alex !" I hear a familiar voice call out . I turn to see Smith running up to me . He gives me his famous tight hug . I reciprocate just as tightly , making him squeal .

"Hey Smith ! How are you buddy ?" I ask after he lets go .

"Good , I missed you Alex ," he looks up at me and gives me his adorable dimpled smile . His the cutest ten year old ever .

"Hey buddy , that's my line ," I hear Taylor say to Smith . I can't help but laugh at this exchange .

"Taylor..." Smith says with narrowed eyes before flicking his tongue out at him .

"You're dead little guy ," Taylor calls out as Smith runs off to get into his mother's car . I haven't seen them since my mom's funeral , well , except for Will .

I walk over to the passenger side just as Taylor opens the door for me .

"I figured , since the last time..." He explains . I just shake my head and get in the car . I guess I'm really going . 

We arrive at school in less than fifteen minutes . The drive was peaceful . We didn't talk but it was definitely a comfortable silence . I would notice him looking over at me a few times . It was the cutest thing ever .

We walk through the school hall , on our way to our lockers , and I immediately feel everyone's eyes on me . Most of them seem to be mumbling , others just stare with blatant sadness in their eyes . I cannot stand this . I look down and inch slightly closer to Taylor . His fairly taller than me and I'd do anything to just disappear in this moment . Taylor notices how I've drawn closer to him , so he moves his arm around my shoulder . This wasn't what I had in mind... It's way better .

"Hey , are you alright ?" Taylor asks and I don't have to look up at him to know that he's concerned . His voice gives that away .

"Yeah , it's just weird being back ," I respond when we reach my locker . Do I even remember the combination ?

"What do you mean ?" He looks around at everyone walking by and I think he catches on ,"it's the staring , isn't it ?"

"Kind of , it's just weird having this attention and for the worst possible reason ," I grunt and harshly shut my locker door closed .

"I didn't realise ," he responds , I nod and we head to class after he got everything he would need for first period .

Taylor and I take our seats at the back of the classroom . No one really bothers coming to school during the last weeks , so we decide that we're just going to sit together , on whoever's seat . Yes , I'm a rebel .

We childishly start throwing one another with papers we found on one of the seats in our row . We are not a good combination .

A few students enter the class , all of them glaring at us . Taylor flicks most of them off when they're not looking and I can't help but laugh each time . His the funniest guy ever .

Our laughter is cut short when we see William enter the classroom... with Amanda . Their hands are intertwined and I can't help but glare at the sight . William is here with Amanda ? Like together ?

She makes her way to the seat next to me with the widest grin I've ever seen . William sits on her left , not even giving me a second look . I really don't know what's his problem . What is he doing with her ?

Mr Stevenson walks in and demands all our attention . I glance over at Taylor , who seems just as clueless about these two as I am . What the hell is going on ?