BAILE (Where We Come Home)

Chapter 8 Best Friend's Boyfriend

I awoke early after having short, choppy, dreams between pools filled with ink and horses climbing out of lakes.

I changed into a pair of skins, a black sports bra and navy singlet top. I didn't bother with a jacket; I loved the bite of the cold against my skin while I ran. I pulled back my hair into two Dutch braids before lacing up my sneakers and heading outside. I pressed play on my workout playlist as I left the school behind in the woodlands. I followed the overgrown trail, pushing myself hard until my legs burned from exertion.

I took a break, taking a seat on a boulder jutting out from the ground.

"What a coincidence, I was just thinking about you." April's mystery guy emerged between the trees.

"That makes one of us." I replied.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced." He approached wearing dark jeans and a black leather jacket. "Callum Moore." He held out his hand.

"Isla Dunn." I shook his hand, which was very warm.

"So you're a Scottish lass?"

I didn't find him very amusing.

"I'm actually from Dublin, I'm taking part in an exchange program."

"Then how did you end up here?" I couldn't hide my curiosity.

He chuckled and dimples pierced his cheeks. I could see what April saw in him, with his strong jawline and slicked hair. "My mind tends to wander."

I could relate to that.

"That and I fancied a change of scenery. Uisneach is a nice place, isn't it?"

I shrugged. "True."

"It has a strong...presence, what with the trees, and...the trees." He glanced around.

"Have you been to the Hill?" I questioned.

Callum leaned back against a tree trunk opposite me. "Not yet."

"It's just east of here. It used to be the seat of High Kings.

He nodded. "Quite a few legends about this place, its no wonder so many people visit this place. Come for the legends, stay for the fun." His gaze wandered as if he were searching for something.

"I better keep running." I stood up.

He nodded. "We should talk more often, I am your best friend's boyfriend."

"Are you?" It was news to me.

He grinned. "April's a spitfire, and I like getting burned."

"For now." I kept my tone low and cold. It didn't take a genius to know Callum was trouble, or that once he got what he wanted from April he'd be out of here.

I left before he could say anymore, feeling as if his eyes were burning holes in the back of my head as I ran back the way I had come.

I found my way to my first class, feeling alone in media class with Alick not sitting in his usual seat next to mine. I worked on a plan for a series of photos on the chosen topic of the countryside. I was going home this weekend so it would be fairly easy to take the photos I needed.

I stopped writing mid-word as a sharp pang erupted at my temple. I blinked rapidly in hope to dispel the pain.

"Are you alright?" Miss Kelly asked.

"Can I please go to the sick bay?" I needed some painkillers.

"Sure."

"Thank you." I gathered my books and laptop before leaving. My footsteps echoed down the hallway as made my way. I found a packet of nurofen; I dry swallowed them before sitting down on the end of the bed. I hadn't gotten headaches this often since...since I was twelve. I did not want to go back down that road again.