Ecstasy

Chapter 48

Tyson:

I could smell her. Jasmine and frangipanis. I was only half awake when I responded to her pressing lips. My hands almost automatically moving to her waist. When she realised I was awake she moved back, breaking the kiss.

"Sorry I fell asleep on you."

Her lips curled into a smile. "That's okay."

I studied her for a moment. She was practically glowing; her long hair creating a halo around her head illuminated by the moonlight.

"Come on," I said, "Let's get off this wall."

It took a bit of manoeuvring, but once I had both feet on the ground I was able to direct Calla down the tree. Once she was on the last branch I knew she would be able to jump it so I held my hands up to help her.

"You can't catch me! I'll squash you!"

I laughed and just shook my expecting hands. She slowly wiggled off the branch and fell into my waiting arms. I caught her waist in my hands and lowered her to the ground.

"See?" I said defiantly.

She poked her tongue out at me and stooped to pick up my backpack. She slung it over her shoulder before leading the way out of the bush.

***

It was about a week after the concert. We were sitting next to each other in music. It was two days until the Easter two week long break and the class had been left to their own devices. Kids had turned their chairs around to talk to the people in the desks behind them, others were lounging at the back of the classroom standing against the wall. Calla was sitting sideways in her chair leaning her back against my side.

"Oh come on bell! Ring already." She grumbled letting her head fall to rest on my shoulder.

I pulled a strand of her golden hair gently. "Impatient."

She shot me a sexy smile and I tried not to catch my breath.

"Okay guys, I have just finished marking your group assignments." Mrs Wallace materialised out from her office. In her hand she held a stack of folders. "I'll quickly hand them out before the bell, we don't have time today but if you want to speak to me about your mark you can see me after class."

She walked between the desks calling out names and handing over the folders. The shrill ringing of the bell interrupted her rounds and the entire class stood and began packing up their stuff.

"If you haven't got yours yet just wait, I'm getting to it." She called over the noise of kids talking.

"Shelley, Stevenson," She passed out the folders handing me one and moving onto the next person.

I flipped open the cover and scanned the first page. It was mostly criteria but right down the bottom it had the combined grade for me and Calla and a comment from the teacher grading it.

"Well?" Calla pulled on my arm, standing on her tiptoes, even though she didn't really need to, to see the page. "What does it say?"

A smile grew on my lips as my mind registered the tiny smudged letter above the teacher's comment. Although the writing was slanted and cramped, there was no mistaking the triangle shaped letter and the little dash of a minus beside it.

Calla was looking at me expectantly. "'A' minus."

She stared at me for a moment before suddenly squealing and engulfing me in a hug. "Really?" she said, the joy pure on her face.

I grinned back at her, just as elated.

***

The shrieking bring of the school bell brought me out of my reverie. School was over for about a fortnight. Not much of a holiday, but it was better than skipping class, like I was now. I stubbed out my cigarette and casually walked out from behind the huge gum tree and started my slow walk across the sports oval. I made it to my locker at the worst time; the corridors were packed with teenagers, saying goodbyes as if they wouldn't see each other for another six months.

I sighed once I reached my locker, pulling out my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

"Ty!"

I looked up at the voice. I knew it was Sam before I saw him heading towards me.

"Hey."

I didn't look up as he approached, I grabbed the neck of my guitar and pulled it out of my cramped locker. "Hey." I replied.

"Hey um," he paused, scratching his head like he'd forgotten what he'd come over to say. "Are you interesting in coming camping with us next weekend?"

I looked at him with an expression I was sure would question his sanity. "Us?"

"Oh um, Mitchie, me, Phoebe, Calla." The list sounded pretty good until he finished it. "And Cade."

I started to shake my head and he already looked disappointed. "Nah man, I think I'm busy," I lied.

All of a sudden he didn't seem too concerned, his nonchalance looked so out of place from his disappointed look before it was obvious he was putting it on. He turned away muttering the words over his shoulder. "Alright dude. I'll just ask Dan."

I slammed my locker. "Wait, when is this happening again?"

He turned back to me and grinned, knowing he had me.