Between The Lines

Chapter 10

Here's chapter 10 - I hope you enjoy this cute chapter and leave some feedback. :)

Dedicated to frikkin - thank you for the continued support!

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Last chapter only had two comments which I admit was slightly discouraging so I would appreciate it if you left a comment- even a few words would make me happy and urge me to write more. :)

The weekend flew by like a paper bag and soon enough Monday morning arrived in a flurry of cereal and coffee.  I felt surprisingly fatigued.  As Kaitlin graciously pointed out as soon as I entered her company, it was very out of character for me.  Usually I was an early morning person or as she said, “the complete opposite of a night owl.  You’re like a morning duck.” 

Mattie, Kaitlin and I traipsed through the morning together.  At lunch, the numbness started to edge out of my brain and a glimpse of the sun peeking through a parting in the clouds cheered me up immensely.  I picked up a cheese sandwich and packet of Mini Cheddars from the canteen and decided I’d take advantage of the rare spell of sunshine.

Mattie and Kaitlin settled down into a table with their food, waving at me as I exited the canteen to head around the back of the school.  I crossed my fingers tightly behind my back, hoping that luck would be on my side today and Zacharias would be at the bike sheds. 

When I rounded the corner, my heart fell and my fingers unclenched as it became evident that the sheds stood as plain and still as stone.  However, the next instant, a large figure rounded the other corner of the block and I broke into a wide grin.  I lifted a hand up and waved happily, quickening my pace so that I would reach Zach quicker.

 He was wearing a dark black hoody and had his large hands buried deep into the pockets, his back slightly slumped as though he was trying to burrow his neck down into the thick material.  His dark brown hair was extra-specially ruffled and stuck out at odd angles; I presumed he’d been battling with the wind.

 Upon catching sight of me, he straightened up slightly and made polite eye contact.  “Hi,” he said attentively.

 It took great effort to contain my joy.  That had to have been the first time he had initiated a pleasant conversation with me.   I arrived in front of him with my lunch held to my chest.  “Hey,” I responded enthusiastically.  When he watched me expectantly without replying, I smiled sheepishly.  “I brought lunch with me like I promised.”

 He glanced at my lunch, nodded briefly, and then extended his arms behind his head until his palms found a firm grip on the edge of the roof of the bike shed.  A ripple went through his firm biceps as he used his arms to pull himself into the air until he had enough height to swing backwards onto the roof.

 I snorted quietly as he settled down, mumbling jokily, “Show off.” I proceeded to clamber clumsily around the back of the shed and clambered up the steep slanted back of the roof until I was at the same level.  I dumped my bag at my side and crouched down so that I could swing my legs over the edge of the roof.  My Nike trainers dangled loosely in the air.

 Zach had already settled down quickly and his long lean legs hung still, only a half metre away from mine.  He pulled a shop-bought sandwich and McCoys salt and vinegar crisps from his bag.