Imago

Chapter VIII

The following week at school is a strange one. Just as I suspected, there's rumours going around that Isaac and I are an item. Even Emelia has excitedly squealed at me, asking if it's true. I've told her we're just friends, but the problem is, Isaac is doing nothing to dispel the rumours.

He's still meeting me outside my classes now and again, and a few times he even walks Emelia and I to our next class – much to her delight. Me, however, I am confused. Is he not concerned about us being found out? What about the ex? What will everyone think, knowing the age difference?

It's getting harder and harder to carry on deflecting peoples questions. Donna, especially, seems pissed off with the rumours, and she tells me I should just stop being seen with him at all so they stop.

For once, her strong opinions don't faze me. Being my best friend doesn't give her the right to tell me who I can and can't hang out with.

On Friday, everything comes to a head. A small group of us are standing out the front of school after the finish bell. Donna and her usual crew are there. She's waiting for Chris, and I'm waiting for Izzy and Isaac. Donna's control over the conversation is starting to irk me. Whenever one of us goes to speak, she cuts us off, or changes the subject. Holly, especially seems put out, as Donna once again bitingly replies that her idea for her birthday party is childish.

"I was just joking," Holly mumbles.

"That's too bad, because I would so go to a McDonalds birthday party. Why should kids have all the fun?" I interrupt.

"Weirdo." Donna glares at me, but then her eyes become focused on something behind me.

My heart jumps about when I turn and see Isaac casually approaching our group.

"So, is it true?" Donna turns on him instantly.

"That's a loaded question." Isaac stops right next to me and smiles at Donna.

"Are you two, you know?" She looks between us and squints her eyes.

Isaac looks down at me and smiles. I don't understand how he can be so casual about all this, my stomach is doing flip flops at a hundred miles a minute.

"You didn't tell them?" he asks, gesturing, with a nod, at the group.

I'm a fish out of water. Was I meant to tell them? Tell them what? That we make out sometimes, but we talk a lot? That I know just about everything there is to know about you? That my body knows you're near, just by the way the hairs at the nape of my neck stand to attention? That I'm a different person when you're around?

I don't say any of these things, though. Instead, I shake my head and look at him imploringly, hoping he can see my silent cry for help.

I realise now that he is completely amused, but also slightly surprised. Did he really expect me to tell my friends about us? I guess most girls would tell their BFF. Does this make me a bad friend?

Isaac smiles a lopsided smile, he has a twinkle in his eyes that makes me think he's about to stir the pot a little. Nervousness bubbles in my stomach.

"I'm surprised you haven't noticed," Isaac says, before turning his attention back to Donna.

"Huh?" Donna looks as confused as I feel.

"I can't stay away from her. I want her near me every moment of every day. I can't steal enough glances, or enough kisses." Isaac looks back to me, and while I can see he's saying a lot of this in jest and to get a reaction, his eyes bore into mine, making my insides turn to jelly. "She always leaves me wanting more."

"Oh my God," I hear Holly squeal under her breath.

"Err, what's going on here?" I hear Izzy, but I can't bare to take my eyes off of Isaac. This whole scenario is turning my head into a spinning top.

He puts an arm around my shoulder and looks over at his sister. "Donna asked if Loren and I were an item." His mischievous smile turning into a slight grimace at Izzy's reply.

"Oh, right. Well, duh. They've been seeing each other for weeks. Isaac's in loooove," she teases.

"Wait, weeks?" I look to Donna and feel panicked at the hurt in her eyes.

"I ... just –I" I can't find the right words to say.

"Didn't want to jinx it," Izzy answers for me. I look over to her and thank her silently with a smile. She smiles back and I look over to see Donna taking in the answer. She's still upset with me, but she doesn't want to look petty in front of Isaac, who's basically an adult, and Izzy, who she looks up to.

"Well, ladies, be seeing ya." Isaac smiles at the group and, with his arm still around me, starts walking us home.

"I'll call you later," I tell Donna.

Isaac has still been walking me home, even though Tosser hasn't been next door for a while now. We still stop by in the park to make out, or he watches me swing while we talk. Today I finally find the courage to bring up how I'm feeling and ask why he just did what he did.

"I meant what I said," he explains, his eyes piercing me lustfully. "I can't get enough of you. Fuck what everyone else thinks." His smile brings out a lone dimple.

A sudden rush of animalistic desire overtakes me. "Take me home," I almost growl at him.

My front door is barely closed before I am placed on the kitchen table and attacked fervently with his lips. His strong arms hold me up as he lays me back slightly, making his way to my neck and my chest. He lays me down gently, my legs still off the edge of the table and wrapped around his waist. He lifts my shirt, kissing my stomach, tasting my skin and creating a surge of excitement that pools at my essence. He makes his way back to my neck and grinds his trapped erection against me. We both moan and he does it three more times, before he suddenly pulls away.

He looks down at me and pulls my shirt down hastily. I feel dazed and confused.

"Your mum will be home soon, I should get going," he explains.

I want to argue that we have plenty of time, but I know he's right. I nod and let him me lift me up off the table. When he picks up his bag, he turns to me and smiles. I smile back up at him and meet him half-way, standing on my toes to kiss him.

He plays around with the front of his pants, shifting things about and grimaces. "That's going to hurt until I get home."

I giggle at his admission and watch him go a while, before closing the door and running to my bedroom to finish myself off, before hoping in the shower.

Later in the night I manage to placate Donna by saying nothing really happened between us until this last weekend after the party. Sure it's a lie, but I feel that telling her the truth will only make her hate me more. It's not long before she turns the conversation back to herself anyway, so I don't feel too bad.