I Don't Love You Too

Chapter 2 - Think of You

(play music)

My alarm went off in the morning and I groaned. School. Initially I was hit with a sense of irritation but that was quickly replaced with nervousness. I was going to see Merida today, in English, Science and Drama. Why am I so concerned about it? I ask myself as I dress in our unflattering uniform. Berk Academy really could do a better job, I thought as I did up my top button and put in my contacts.

All through the bus ride to school I had my headphones plugged into my iPod and I let the music energise me and flow through my brains. The words made me think of Merida even more.

Sunlight comes creeping in -

Illuminates our skin.

We watch the day go by,

Stories of all we did.

It made me think of you.

It made me think of you.

I sighed and watched the raindrops racing each other down the windows of the bus. They had all steamed up and I used my finger to make a mark. I found myself drawing a heart subconciously.

Under a trillion stars,

We danced on top of cars,

Took pictures of the stage,

So far from where we are.

They made me think of you.

They made me think of you.

The song finished just as the bus pulled up outside the school. The words kept flowing through my head all day though. I pulled off my headphones and stowed them in my backpack before slinging it onto my back and stepping off of the bus. I felt pairs of eyes burning into my scalp. Word must have gotten around quickly that me and Astrid were no more. 

I wait for Jack as I do every morning, but this time Jack didn't turn up to meet me. Merida did. I felt my heart begin to race as I blushed furiously. I kept seeing the Merida from the photo, the beautiful one, the one that turned up when we moved from Dunbroch Primary. I plastered a smile upon my face as she approached. She smiled weakly.

"Hey Hic."

"Hi Merida."

"How're you?"

"What?"

She looked at me as if to say what do you think you idiot?

"Astrid? The breakup?"

"That? I'm fine with it. I was the one who ended it!"

"Really?" Merida seemed surprised. "I thought she'd be the one to finish it off. She didn't seem like the type who'd be particularly loyal."

"Well -" I shrugged, "We had an argument. I ended it."

"What did you argue about?"

"That doesn't matter," I reply very quickly. Far too quickly. Merida gives me a weird look before sighing and hitching her bag into a firmer position on her shoulder.

I just want to be by your side -

If these wings could fly...

For the rest of our lives.

There was a very awkward silence whilst I got out my timetable from my top pocket.

"We've got English first," I told her. She nodded and the bell went, signalling that we had five minutes to get to class. We walked there side by side; occasionally I stole a glance across at her when (I thought that) she wasn't looking. She definitely caught me once.