Andante

LXII

It was well strange, being back in school, back at his regular desk, facing all the regular kids and all the regular teachers. 
Everything around him was the same, but he was so different it wasn't even funny. So much had happened since he'd been here last, and it really hit him now. 
Would the other kids be able to tell he looked different? Would they be able to tell he'd kissed with such passion? That he'd spent the night in someone's arms? Because the thoughts in his head were so loud he felt like they might explode into the room like one of those planes pulling a banner. 
He kept his head down, and he tried to focus. It would be a seriously bad idea to start scoring lower grades because he couldn't stop thinking about Brett's lips. 

Break came, and he automatically walked to their table with Lily. He could tell that she was almost literally bursting with curiosity, practically jumping up and down with it, but she still waited until they got to their table, and she kept her voice very low so no one would overhear.
¨So. Eddy. You have something to share with me?¨
Her smirk was so pronounced he had to laugh. 
¨What would you like to know, Lily?¨
She looked like she was about to hit him.
¨Don't play dumb with me, tell me! How was it? Did... did you kiss him?¨
She must have seen his face fall, because suddenly her hand was on his thigh and her eyebrows knitted together.
¨Jeez, are you okay, Eddy?¨
He sighed once. He knew she wouldn't let this go. Oh well, it would probably be good to get it off his chest, anyway.
¨Not really, Lily. But I will be. It was awesome, and yes, I kissed him. Many times.¨
¨Fuck...¨ she mouthed, the syllable drawn out and her eyes wide, and Eddy giggled despite himself, because it was so out of character for her to swear. Unlike he himself, who said that word all day long, as long as his mum wasn't there to overhear. 
¨Yeah. That pretty much sums it up.¨ 
¨So... the long face is not because of what happened?¨ 
See? He knew Lily would understand. 
¨Yeah. It's... it's hard to go from perfect, back to... well, back to normal.¨ He shrugged. 
She squeezed his thigh with her hand, and the gesture was so sweet, so real that he had to swallow and shake his head to stop the tears from flowing again. 
¨I'm so sorry, Eddy.¨ she said in her sweet, sweet voice.
¨Stop.¨ he whispered. ¨I'll cry.¨
Without hesitation she leant forward and wrapped her arms around him. She stroked his back and held him wordlessly, and Eddy felt himself relax into the hug. It was nice. It was good to have someone who knew and who understood. He breathed deeply, pushing the threatening tears back down to where they belonged. 
¨Thanks, Lily¨ he said, letting go. ¨you're the best.¨
As he looked up he saw Andrew grinning at him and giving him a thumbs up.
Heh. If only you knew, Andrew.  He thought morosely. Still, he smiled back. Wouldn't hurt to give him the wrong impression, hey? Let him think the hug meant something it didn't. 

As he suffered his way through the next period he had to admit that his talk with Lily had helped, even if he'd almost started bawling in a full school yard. Thank God he'd kept it together. But now he felt a bit lighter, a bit more positive. And while the teacher droned on in English class, where Lily was sat a few desks over on the other side, he shot her a quick smile. 
She smiled back, and he hoped she understood. 

¨See you tomorrow, Eddy!¨ she said to him as they emptied their lockers to head home.
¨Yeah. Hey, Lily?¨
¨Hmh?¨
¨Erm... thanks. Really.¨
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise.
¨Of course, Eddy. You're my friend. You know you can call me as well, right? Any time, for anything.¨
He nodded, even though he knew he'd never take her up on it. Wasn't his style, really, to ask for help. But it was still real nice of her to say. 
¨You too, Lily. See you tomorrow!¨