Don't Let Go Of Me [ Jasper Hale ]

20 || Don't Touch

We were the kids who screamed
"We weren't the same, " in sweaty rooms

THIRD   POINT   OF   VIEW

"Mirabelle." Lunch had ended, everyone was packing up to head to the last few periods of the day. Val had caught the girl by the arm before she could head back in. He wasn't wearing his usual charming smile when he talked to her. His brows were creased and his lips were tilted into a small frown. "You gonna be okay?"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "You still worried about Avery? She'll play a couple of harmless pranks, that's it. Let's just get through today and then get the jackets, okay? Thanks for the burrito by the way." 

He wasn't convinced but knew better than to try to be overprotective over her. Mirabelle was the one that brought their group together. Along the way, they thought of each other more than family. Essentially, they were all the other had in this messed up world. Val was always worried about Mirabelle's well-being. The others were the same, they just never said anything.

She shook his grip off when the warning bell sounded. "I'll see you after class?" She didn't wait for a response. 

Val's hand dropped to his side, watching her go off in defeat. Quintin and Benni strolled up to his side. Both threw an arm around his broad shoulders. "Damn. You really are a pussy," Quintin stated blankly. "I don't get why you two just don't date already."

Val sighed. "You know why. Plus, Bee doesn't see me that way." 

"'Bee doesn't see me that way,'" Quintin mocked in a high-pitched tone. "Yeah, right. So her sketching you like every day is no indication that she might have the slightest crush on you. For the love of the Great Gambino, you guys even flirt. It's really quite disgusting." 

"You're just jealous because your girl don't like you more than Bee." 

Quintin glared venomously. "At least I've got a girl, smartass." 

"Just so you know, you're not the only one interested." Immediately Val and Quintin's heads snapped into the direction of a smirking Benni. She leaned in a little closer. "The moment I see my chance, I'm going to make her mine." She hurried off after Mirabelle, leaving the two boys with dropped jaws.

Quintin gave his friend some comforting pats on the back. "I honestly wish you the best of luck." 

"You don't seriously think your sister could beat me, do you?" 

He raised his hands up defensively. "Aye man, never doubt an Armani. We got mad thieving skills."

****

Mirabelle carried on like normal. She found art class to be the only place she could really relax. There were only a few amongst the students who didn't see it as a requirement. Namely, people that had no interest in listening to their teacher passionately talk about the significance of each stroke. That's what made it even more perfect. Those same people that would only get on her nerves usually skipped the period or were too busy being kept under the watchful guidance of their teacher.