Broken

Muffins

With my breathe held I waited for his lips to brush against mine, and then I waited some more, but still nothing. Perhaps I had misread the signs or just completely made them up, oh God I hope he hadn't noticed and I hope he hadn't realised what I thought he was going to do, my face instantly aflame with mortification. My eyes fluttered open and I was taken aback to find him still in such close proximity. His hazelnut eyes still mesmerised me but I was distracted by the traces of a smirk he was trying to hide. Oh yeah, he knew alright what I thought he was going to do, what I wanted him to do, I felt dizzy with embarrassment.

"Hey are you okay?" he was still staring at me intently, but the pained look of concern had gone from his eyes, it had been replaced with the flicker of mischief. I could see his mouth twitching as he tried to contain the smug grin I knew was bursting to get out. I swear I could hear a click inside my brain as I realised I'd just been played, the only saving grace to this whole humiliating debacle was that at least I hadn't puckered up and done the fish impression. My confused question was why? What was the point? Stringing someone like me along certainly wouldn't gain him any kudos, perhaps he's just one of those guys who likes to know 'he could if he wanted to.'

It wasn't until I found my voice and started to speak I noticed his palm was still cupping my face. Placing my hand over his I pulled his fingers away, stopping their gentle, soothing caress. Then I scooted as far over to the window as I could, I could feel the condensation from the glass soaking into my hair.

"I want to go home. Please, take me home." Rather than look at him I studied the printout I'd gotten at the bank.

"Oh yeah sure." And he quickly clicked into place his seatbelt and started the car up. We drove in relative silence, my directions and the hum of the engine were the only audible sounds for the short journey. As he pulled up at the kerbside I rushed my thank you's for the lift and in my haste almost fell out of the car. I unintentionally slammed the door and without looking back I hurried up the driveway to the front down.

"Anna wait." He called after me, pretending I hadn't heard him I almost sprinted the final couple of yards to the steps leading to my door.

"Wait up." He yelled, I ignored him and fumbled with the keys in the lock as his heavy footfalls quickly approached. He was almost upon me, and in a panic I spun round quickly to face him.

"Oh did you want something? Sorry I didn't hear you." I lied

Coming to an abrupt halt only inches in front of me, he took a deep breathe and awkwardly rubbed his hands over his cropped head.

"Anna" He said earnestly, again peering into me with his warming eyes. "What happened... back there in the bank? Do you want to talk about it?" I knew I was tearing up again so I blinked hard and stared intently at the grey paving.

I slouched down on the cold steps leading up to my front door, fingers tight with stress. Rhys sat next to me, close enough so I could smell his clean vanilla shower gel but not close enough for us to be touching.

"I'm fed up of talking about things." I said sadly, "Thank you though for the lift." I looked at my watch and it was twelve o'clock, double maths didn't start till one but I doubted I was going to go.

"Do you want me to leave?" He asked misinterpreting my glance at my watch. I was about to answer when my Grandma opened the front door.

"Anna?" She asked a little confused, "What are you doing on the floor?" Rhys quickly stood up and offered her his hand.

"Hi, Anna went the bank today and now she's a bit upset." He explained.

"Anna love, what happened?" I too had gotten up off the steps and my grandma had pulled me in for a hug. When I didn't answer my grandma looked to Rhys for a reply.

"I'm not sure but she wanted to know about deposits made to her bank account, then she got all upset." And he shrugged indicating that was all he knew. When I still didn't further explain my grandma changed the subject.

"So what time do you need to be back at school?" She said pointedly looking at her watch.

"One, but I don't think I'm going to go." My grandma's eyebrows raised and she folded her arms.

"Really, you don't think you're going to go, you're not starting that young lady, it's the first day and you will be there." Although not unkind her voice was firm.

"But I need to speak to Officer Sheringham" I complained.

"That can wait till 3, or if it's urgent you can do it now." When I didn't move she again glanced at her watch.

"Right so it's ten passed twelve now, have you kids had any lunch?" She said taking Rhys by the arm and dragging him towards the kitchen, I trudged behind.

I could hear my grandma and Rhys making small talk as she started busying herself with lunch. Within minutes she'd rustled up a plate of sandwiches and taken the muffins, she'd put in earlier, out the oven. The hot chocolate aroma made my mouth water. Placing a glass of juice infront of us she joined Rhys and I at the table.

"So Anna, are you going to introduce me to your young man or do I need to do it myself?" I blushed and told her Rhys's name and I quickly added he was my lab partner not my young man before the conversation got anymore embarrassing.

We ate lunch, then I reluctantly made my way back to school.

"Those muffins were delicious!" He stated, licking his lips at the memory of their taste.

"Yeah I figured you like them when you scoffed two in like ten seconds and then asked her if you could take a couple for later." I teased, he looked slightly abashed.

"I'm only playing with you, she was thrilled someone was actually eating them."

"Hey well tell her I'll take any unwanted baked goods off her hands if everything tastes as good as the muffins." And he nodded his head enthusiastically. "Besides as your lab partner that must make me practically part of the family." I giggled as I shook my head at him.

It was quarter to one when we pulled into the school car park. The sound of the younger kids playing and excitedly chatting filled the air. Getting out the car we started walking back towards the sixth form building, as we neared the path he slowed down and took hold of my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, before asking if I was alright, I nodded my reply. He smiled at me with the pity look I'd seen on so many faces for the last three months and awkwardly run his hand through his cropped dark hair.

"I just wanted to tell you I had a really good time." And he squeezed my hand again.

"OH MY FUCKING GOD!!" A voice boomed from the sixth form door way.