Figuring You Out

Chapter Thirty-Five

R: Back of sixth form- 8:40

I squint in the light of the notification but instantly smile when I see who its from, I type out a witty reply.

O: So demanding. Maybe 9?

R: Maybe never then if that's how you want to play it Chapman.

O: You win. 8:40. Lot to tell you x   

R: Can't wait x

I throw on smart jeans and a loose shirt before hopping downstairs where yet another post-it is stuck to the fridge – High flying client meeting, back by nine. All my love, Mum xx. I grab a quick bowl of cereal before walking to school and waiting at the tree where we were before. My foot begins to tap subsequently snapping the smaller twigs that lay beneath my giant feet, its only then I feel a discreet tap on my shoulder. I turn and see Red with a small smile planted on his freckled face, "Hi," I say after a moment of staring into his ocean eyes.

"Hey," he replies dreamily, I bite my lip to fight the urge to kiss him, "Don't do that," he says.

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to have to snog you if you keep doing it," he whispers, he smirks and after a quick check for our peers plants his lips to mine, I wrap my arm around his waist tucking it subtly under his navy jacket, "Let's go somewhere quieter," he whispers, against my lips. He then loosely connects our hands but not so much so we were actually holding hands and directs me towards the back of our building where we stand in a patch of dead weeds and untidied roots. Although, I don't have much time to admire the gardening because he squeezes my hand and is staring at me with puppy eyes, "So,"

"Well, I came out to my parents," I say, his smile grows brighter with anticipation, "It went well, a few tears, but yeah it was good,"

"That's great," he says, sincerely, pulling me in for a hug, "I'm so happy for you," he says, as we part, my eyes lock with his and our lips are soon following but this time the kiss is deeper and more sensual, our hands wrap around each other's bods as bags are abandoned to the side of us. I get lost in him, his scent, his touch-

"What the fuck?" we break apart instantly, and snap to the figure. Tall, shaggy haired with a crumpled t shirt that had our local rugby team splattered on the front.

Liam.

He scoffs in the silent freeze frame with my hands still looped around Red's jacket, his grip visibly tightens on the rugby ball with the veins in his arm booming through his skin and he turns abruptly and leaves our eye sight. I face Red gaping a little but he already knows what I'm thinking. "Go," he says, tapping a gentle finger on my chest, I nod not thinking to give Red any comfort, my mind buzzes with Liam. I sprint until I see his lone figure heading towards the main field. I quicken my pace until his upper arm is within reaching distance, I catch it and turn him to me.

"Liam, look-"

"Fuck off, Oliver," he says, coldly his tone throwing me. I'd expected anger but not this.

"There's something I should-" I try.

"Oh for God's sake, Oliver- I KNOW, OK? I KNOW. And have done for a very long time," he rages, my heart hammers again charged with adrenaline. Everything slows and turns HD, Liam's stopped moving but he's squirming in his frozen spot, before his voice roars, "Why do you think I stopped Bram making comments about the girls hockey team?"

I stand wordlessly gaping at him, my eyes slowly drift to his and I can see that he can barely look at me, "Liam, please,"

"And you know why I never said anything," he cuts, stepping uncomfortably closer to my face, "Because I wanted you to come to me. I wanted you to tell me yourself, not having to find out by YOU KISSING YOUR MATHS TUTOR AT THE BACK OF OUR SIXTH FORM!" he screams, his voice roar from emotion.

"I tried to tell you," I argue feebly, but my voice gives into desperation.

"Go and kiss your boyfriend," he snipes, "I'm done," he sighs, walking away with a defiant kick at the gravel. I watch him leave, with a perhaps heavier heart than when I walked away from Red.

"Fuck,"