Family secrets

Chapter 18: Not Keith

 I attempted to appear normal as I resisted the urge to quicken my pass, not to attract unwanted attention towards myself.

It was strange, to say the least.  I had never thought he would contact me while still in the educational building. Even if it was but a mobile massage, the fact that he'd risk such a thing was proof enough that something is wrong!                                                                                                        We hadn't seen one and other since I visited him at his house, and though this was expected, what was not, was the dwindling of communication between us. 

Now suddenly being called to a rarely used study during recess, with little to no specifying to the nature of the request! How could I not worry!?                                                                                              When I arrived before the door, I wasted no time entering the room, that despite it always being locked said for when it was being used, opened with ease.

I stepped in and shut it behind myself, turning to face the teen that stood at the opposing side of the small space. I hardly saw him as I quickly close the distance between us, encircling him in my arms.

" are you alright? Did something happen?!" I queried, pulling back a little to meet his gaze. Keith's face darkened slightly at this, eyes wide as they looked into my own.

" i-i'm fine." he nervously said, and I once again tightened my hug. My head against his chest, I could hear his loud heartbeat, that was probably due to my sudden actions startling him. I felt as his arms rose to return my hearty embrace, however, they did not complete this task, allowing them to fall back to his sides as I released him.

" Sorry, I was a little worried. suddenly hearing from you after some time." I explained, slightly embarrassed by my behavior, I scratched at my collar. " especially here, like this. You must have something important to say, correct?" I said wearing a smile of relief, that slowly fell as he continued to look at his feet, his fingers knotting nervously.

" Keith are you cer_"

" i-is it true?" he questions, though his head was lowered his gaze burned holes through me.

" what are you_" I began, when he suddenly reached out, his hands on my shoulders, eyes wide as he seemed to be observing something that lied below my vision.

Softly, the tip of a finger lightly brushes against the flesh of my neck, I shivered at the sudden contact.

" Keith what..!" I began, only then did I remember the hardly visible mark that peeked only slightly from the top of my uniforms caller when I was not wearing the blazer, which I had left in the classroom I would be returning to.                                                                                                                    

By reflex, I pulled away, my hand coming up to shield the reddish mark from him shocked gaze. Neither of us moved for a moment, staring at one and other. My cheeks heated, and he's paled.

I had forgotten about it, the mark I had made sure to hide from any and all observing gazes, upon entering the building.  My lips parted, trembling slightly as I struggled to speak. Keith's gaze now on his palm, examining the tip of the finger I suspect to be the ones that had earlier touched said mark.

"Keith_" I finally managed to say, only to be interrupted.

"What is that?" he queried and once again, my tongue felt heavy. " that...that couldn't possibly be a kiss mark could it?" he continued, my silence seemingly serving as the answers I failed to deliver. " w-was...did he...gave that to you?"