You + Me = Us (now published so sample only)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – Girlfriend or trouble?

Shanay

Another Monday morning, another alarm. This morning also contained a rather enthusiastic guy tapping at my window. I scrambled out of bed and let Link in. He grinned at my serious demeanour and right on cue, mum called out for me to get up.

I looked at Link and was glad that even from our intense make out session the other night that things weren't awkward. He treated me the same, maybe a bit touchier but I could deal with that. In fact, I secretly looked forward to every time he touched me, kissed me or hugged me. I loved that warm tingly feeling that soared through me at his touch.

I pushed the hair out of my eyes grumpily and Link steered me towards the shower with a grin. This was normal. He would now go down and bring me back vegemite toast so we wouldn't be late for school. He was so good to me.

"C'mon, Shay, mum's class is up first and you know how much she lectures us if we're late." He encouraged me as he left a kiss on my forehead.

"I know I'm going already." I waved my hands at him wildly and he grinned.

"Good." He said as he left my room.

After the shower, I felt much better prepared to face the day. I threw on my bra and panties before heading into my room for my uniform, which mum always ironed for me. I didn't even notice Link sitting on my bed until he sucked in an audible breath.

"Crap, Shay, I'm not going to be able to think straight for the rest of the day." His words washed over me and my cheeks went red.

He sat the plate of toast on my chest of drawers and then kept walking towards me. I couldn't move under the intensity of his gaze, it was just that hot. His fingers slid along the skin of my waist and my eyes began to close.

"You guys have to get a move on." Dad called from outside the door, which broke the spell of intimacy surrounding us.

"I'll see you in the car." Link said with a grin and a wink as he sidled out my door.

All I could do was nod in a dumbfounded way, still rather caught up in the touch of his hands on me. I eventually snapped out of things, managed to dress and get into the car.

As usual, I turned the radio on and Link reached for my hand. I was still amazed that things could be so comfortable between us. We were rushing to get to Margie's class. We made it only a few seconds after the people before us. I saw Margie roll her eyes at me and I grinned. 

With Link's fingers still tucked in mine, he headed to our bench. I hadn't noticed people looking at us strangely until lunchtime. It was only when I was in the queue for food that I heard some of the gossip.

"They say he's dying and that Shanay was a nasty bitch to him." I heard a girl mutter to another, which made me frown. Another comment with similar sympathy towards JJ echoed down the line.

My good mood drained away from me and intense fury replaced it fast. I wished Link was here but he had a different class to me before lunch. I picked up my tray of food and saw my friends sitting at our normal table. I headed towards them until I heard my name said by a very familiar voice, JJ's.

I turned around to see him looking all smug and superior, which made my fury fire up another notch. Changing direction, I walked over to his table. His smirk broadened as I dumped my tray down.

"Wow, a new low for you, JJ! Using your 'imaginary' dying status to make me look bad," I finger quoted imaginary knowing that everyone in that room was listening to me intently. I heard a few gasps and whispered comments but let them be.