Holding Back

two

"Hey Sage, do you think Liam likes me?" Avylin smiles like she's at ease, that big wide grin that makes her so beautiful and she says, "because I think I like him." Now I know she's worried, she has never thought of a guy in that way. I found it quite cute that she finally found someone worth thinking about, day or night. We're such an unlikely pair, me and her, but it works. My smile mirrors hers, to the hallway at large we're two friends smiling but we both know the answer to that.

"I know you do, Avylin" I closed my locker with a - click - "and take your time, you don't have to worry about anything." I don't want you to experience what I've gone through. I won't let that happen to you. "You deserve the best, Avylin."

The winds howl as the students arrive through the gates, hustling and bustling down the hallways. Friends are greeting each other with a hug or a playful punch while newcomers stand looking scared. The seniors stand, tall and proud, a confidence born of experience. Another school year has come about and I can't say that I'm not excited.

"So," Avylin trailed, skipping her way down the hall with me by her side, "How was dinner last Friday?" I laughed at her failed attempt at being discreet, wanting nothing more than to find out about Alex. "okay!" She chuckled, the blonde of her hair was chestnut strands that brought out the freckles on her skin, "fine, I just really wanna know how Alex was." Tucking her loose strands behind her ear.

"Not gonna lie, He's really cute and good looking." I can't help but compared him to Dane. I've only met Alex once and the fact that I've been thinking about him still scares me.

        I shook my head, hoping that it would shake away the thought of Alex. Maybe I shouldn't even be thinking about him or even say his name. how can a person imprint someone's mind so quickly?

Avyin hummed to herself, her smile plastered on her face as we made our way to Geometry and onto our seats just in time for our teacher to walk in.

Mr. Breitman doesn't notice chaos in the classroom as everyone listened, casually dodged projectiles, and carried on talking, as he sets homework for every lesson although only one person ever does it. Nods to himself when he thinks he's made a good point calls all the boy's Henry and all the girls Susan regardless of what they are called and eats a hummus sandwich and two apples for lunch every day, as he hums happily to himself when he's not talking. it's not all bad.

I doodled on my notebook so much that it filled the whole page while Avylin continued to stare off into the distance and time flowed like cement. I checked my cell for the time. A minute had passed since I last checked forty-five minutes ago, or so it seemed.

Math seemed to be the only subject that slowed downtime as everything else flew by fast. Now halfway over, we sat in our usual spot in the cafeteria

"Liam!" Avylin groaned, "Would you stop throwing those grapes at me? Why don't you throw it at Sage." It was more of a command than a question really but despite the annoying grape-throwing Liam did, It does not wipe away the smile that Avylin had and her laugh that filled the table. Liam gazed at avylin, lost by her closeness, and his left palm rested against his cheek. His delicate blonde hairs fell onto his brow, skin so pale it rendered him stark against the dreary morn. He was angelic really, but only for Avylin.

I know Avylin could feel his gaze.

Staring isn't quite the word for what avylin does, though she'd fit the dictionary definition to a tee. Her eyes rested back at him, not unblinking but slowed; yet the effect is soft and inviting instead of harsh. Perhaps it is her lips that gave away her intention, not quite smiling but tilting as if they mean too.

"You guys," I laughed, nearly gagged too, "stop with all your flirting I'm losing my appetite here. save it for later or when I'm not around you two." I threw a piece of bread at each of them, surprised at the aim I made. I swear these two are in love.

"Oh please, you flirt all the time with your boyfriend," Liam said with his playful smirk written all over his face and I can't say anything.

"Shut up," I muttered, my face heating up and I gave them a smile.

"Oh look, Liam, she's blushing" Avylin laughed and leaned over so suddenly that I could react and her cold fingers pinched my cheeks. "you're such a cutie," she pulled and pushed my cheek so harshly. it would be nice for once if my friends were a tad bit gentler.

I tried to push away her hands but I squirmed too much against her touch "Avylin," I moaned, "Stop pinching my cheek. It hurts! I'm trying to eat my sandwich here." It didn't seem to be that my complaint processed into her brain or that no one could understand me from my cheeks pressed against either side of my mouth. How my cheeks had burned hot, how the sight had egged them on - my embarrassment, their tonic.

Liam doubled himself up and burst into a loud harsh cackle of laughter. I glared at him but that only made him laugh harder.

"Oh whatever," I rolled my eyes, "I can flirt as much and how I want to, to Dane since he's my boyfriend." I'm still waiting for the day when both Liam and avylin get together. They've liked each other since the fifth grade but too oblivious to notice.

"What about your boyfriend?"

I whipped my head to my left, a familiar figure settles beside me and I smile. Dane's lips alight on my cheek like a dew freckled petal caught in a breeze, so soft and with the smallest hint of coolness. "Hey love," he whispered gently into my ear, I feel a warmth spread through my limbs and my mind feels a pleasant buzz and I hug him. He could be so sweet when he wants to be.

Only if he was like this all the time.

"Stop with all your flirting I'm losing my appetite," Liam said, pushing his voice an octave higher to imitate my voice.

I let out a humorous laugh and grabbed another piece of bread and threw it at Liam's face again.

The next few minutes were spent laughing and smiling together, never actually finished our lunch.

N O T E ;

sorry that it took longer than usual. I've been having some family problems here but it's all good.

this is just a small chapter where I introduced a little of avylin, Liam, and Dane. ill try to update as quickly as possible but school has been hard on me but other than that I hope you guys like it :)