Burning Willow

Chapter 3

I pulled my bag further onto my shoulder as I hurried away from the music room. I don’t know what had come over me to cause to me to have that sudden urge to play. I thought I was over that. I shook my head quickly and ran straight into…Olly. I sighed loudly.

“Move Olly.”

“Um I think you have the wrong person,” he said. Whoever it was still a head taller than me so I had to tilt my head back to look him in the eye. They looked similar though, him and Olly I mean. “I’m related to Olly though if that’s what you’re trying to figure out.” He smiled widely at me offering his hand. “I’m Will. And, um, why do I recognise you?”

“Will?!” I exclaimed. “You grew!” I looked him over. “A lot.”

“Siobhan!” He grabbed me round the waist and swung me round in a bear hug. “I missed you!” he said putting me down.

“I missed you too,” I said quietly. Will and Olly were complete opposite. Will was sweet, Olly was a jackass. Will cared about other peoples feelings, Olly stomped all over them. And so the list goes on.

“Where’d you go?” he asked a concerned look on his face.

“Oh, um, no where just away with family for a while.” He nodded, placing his hands on my shoulders and he looked like he was going to say something else when I heard someone behind me.

“What are you doing?”

“Hey Fraser,” his face broke out into a wide grin as he looked over the top of my head.

“What are you doing?” he asked again. I turned round to look at him but he had no expression whatsoever.

“Siobhan we’re going to be late for science.”

“How did you know I have science next?” I raised an eyebrow.

“We’ve had two lessons together already so I had a hunch.” He shrugged slightly. I felt my face flush as he smirked at me. “Let’s go.” He grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards the science block.

“Get off!” I cried.

“We’re going to be late,” he said through gritted teeth. I sighed and let him drag me to the science block.

“What are you doing?” Bex asked when were outside class. She looked down at his hand gripping my arm. He snatched his hand back as soon as he realised what she was talking about it. She raised an eyebrow in my direction.

“Not a word,” I said, walking past her.

All I could think about the whole lesson was that I would be with Fraser. Alone. For an hour. I wasn’t sure that was such a good idea because he didn’t seem to like me that much at that moment; but I couldn’t think of something that I’d done to annoy or upset him. I quickly scanned the room and noticed Olly wasn’t there. I leaned closer to Bex.

“Where’s Olly?” She gave a humourless laugh.

“Like he was smart enough to be in this class!”

“Oh.”

“Why? Has someone got a crush?”

“No!” I exclaimed. Probably just a little too loud.

“Yes Miss Carter?”

“N-nothing,” I stammered.

“Good.” Bex shot me a knowing smile.

The bell went all too soon for my liking. An hour with Fraser. This can’t be good, I thought to myself as I headed towards the library. I pushed the double door open with one hand and my eyes immediately landed on Fraser, who was sat in the back corner; his guitar case was leaned against the wall beside him and he had his head down reading a book. He hadn’t noticed me yet. Maybe I could still…Dammit.

He looked up just as I was about to make a run for it and smirked at me. I sighed and walked towards him. I dumped my bag on a seat and sat down heavily.

“Someone’s in a bad mood,” he laughed. I glared at him.

“Shut up.” He laughed again but he sobered up quickly.

“Look. I don’t know you so I want this to be as painless to do as possible.” He hesitated for a second. “For both of us. So, let’s get to know each other. I’ll go first!” That took me by surprise and obviously he could tell that from my facial expression and he smirked again. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“Green,” I said automatically.

“When’s your birthday?”

“December 25th.” He started laughing again then and I felt my cheeks warm up. “What?!” I demanded.

“You’re birthday’s Christmas Day.”

“So?”

“Never mind,” he said still grinning. “Are you an only child?”

“Yep,” I said popping the p, starting to feel more relaxed around him.

“Why did you leave and come back?” I took in a sharp intake of breath; my shoulders started tensing up again. I should’ve known that would come up.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not? This is 20 questions.”

“So what?” I growled. He seemed to get the hint and stopped talking.

It still felt tense as we researched for our project in silence and it seemed like forever before the bell rang. When it did I stuffed my books into my bag hastily and began to stand up.

“Wait,” he said softly. I raised and eyebrow and waited for him to continue. “I’m sorry for what I said…I shouldn’t have asked that,” he said hesitantly.

“Forget about it,” I muttered looking at the floor before turning away.

I paused outside the library door. I leaned against the wall, closed my eyes and sighed loudly.

“Thinking about me?” someone’s voice appeared close to my ear. My eyes snapped open to see Olly staring at my face. I snorted.

“Yeah right!” I pushed past him.

“You know you love me!” he called not following me.

“Whatever gets you to sleep at night!” I called back, dismissively over my shoulder.