The home of the lost

The end of the beginning

It wasn't until the summer of our last year in secondary school that things started to get a little strange between all of us. This was the summer in which we would move to the other section of the 150-acre campus, each level of schooling had a 50-acre plot for housing and teaching. It was here that we got to expand our learning, into actual qualifications for the future. The main advantage of this part of St Angela's was that our numbers shrank those of us that still had families could now decide if they wanted to study elsewhere for college, while people like me and Jayden had to stay on for another 2 years. Because of that our dorms were bigger and only shared between two people, it worked out that I was sharing with Josie, Jayden was with Samson and Frankie was with a boy called Benjamin but everyone called him Benny.
Everything seemed normal enough we moved in during the summer, the guys helped me and Josie take our boxes over, but when we got there everything changed. Apparently the guy's other friends the ones I wasn't ever meant to meet were there in the year above us and they were holding a closer eye on the three of them than they ever were before.
I won't even pretend to understand the reasoning behind it. I soon found out Jayden had left a note for me to find in my favourite book, in the library on this campus. I had been searching for The Picture of Dorian Gray for almost an hour, I made my way up and down the aisles of books when the baby-blue spine caught my eye. I picked it up and a slip of paper fell out, it read 'we all miss you more than anything, but things aye easy right now. I'll make it up to you soon Jx' I smiled slightly tucking the note in my pocket and looking around the library it was larger than the others with much more variety.

It was during that summer that I felt the most lost since meeting the boys, we had grown closer than I first thought was possible between us, but I trusted them so I kept my distance till they could sort out their problem. I had not spoken to any of them in almost 2 months and the summer dragged on.
When September rolled around I was miserable and Josie understood why and tried to get me out of my slump "so... back in classes tomorrow what specialised subjects did you pick?" she asked laying across my bed while I was picking out my clothes.
"I've picked Chemistry, Advanced Irish and English Literature. How about you? Anything fun?" I teased sitting down and leaning against my pillows.
"of course, you're the academic one" she laughed "I've got Dance classes tap, jazz and contemporary, Music piano and singing and finally Theatre." I shook my head at her smiling.
"I honestly don't know how you do it, I may be the academic one but you work harder than me" I stated my backpack was ready with my stuff and sat by the end of my bed. "come on we need an early night," I said pushing her off my bed letting her hit the floor with a soft thump.
"HEY!" she shouted getting up looking at me with a pout rubbing her hip "that was just plain rude" she threw one of my pillows at me and went to her own bed before smiling to me "it'll get better Hope, goodnight"
I nodded "I know, night Jo" I got in bed and fell asleep to the steady ticking of the clock.

I had the biggest shock of all when I walked late into my 3rd class Advanced Irish, I had missed the warning bell while out on the field with Josie. There was only one seat left at the back of the room with non-other than Samson Yates sitting next to it his feet propped up on the table his signature bored expression on his face.
"so sorry Mr Jenkins I got caught up in the library I won't let it happen again" I smiled lying smoothly as I took the seat next to Sam the teacher nodded with a look that said it better not.
I smiled softly to Samson, over the course of the lesson I had found out that he had taken Maths and Physics as well and wanted an easy ride. He convinced the school that although he was full Irish he didn't know the language beyond just getting by when needed. I had laughed at his sneaky behaviour as we continued the rest of the lesson in peace. We kept this up for a month talking during classes, him helping me with homework when he had free time and steadily we grew closer.
It was coming up to the end of October and as much as I enjoyed spending the extra time with Samson I missed Jayden and Frankie. I sat down in class and looked over to him, Mr Jenkins was late to class as he usually was on Thursday afternoons, I leant back in my chair smiling "so the dance is coming up with everything going on do you think I would have a chance to see Jay and Frankie? I have a birthday present for him"
He looked to me humming in thought "I will see about setting something up for you" he put his arm around the back of my chair as the class began.

Samson told me the week after that he had organised for me to meet up with the others in the library while he kept the rest of the friends busy at the dance. I turned up a few minutes after the set time to see Jay and Frankie already waiting sat on one of the tables. I ran over and hugged them both grinning like a madwoman "I've missed you both so much" I sighed happily handing over a brightly wrapped package to Frankie "Happy birthday!" I laughed lightly.
Frankie smiled back tearing away the paper and laughing "how the hell did you know I needed these ones?" I shrugged innocently.
He gave me a knowing smile accepting them happily "thank you, I'm going to take these to my room and join the dance" I nodded hugging him once more and kissing his cheek as he headed off leaving me alone with Jay.
I smiled softly "missed you" I whispered he nodded in response pulling me closer hugging me tightly rubbing my back as we relaxed in the silence.
"I'm so sorry about all of this" he sighed loosening his hold on me and pulling away to look at me "I will explain to you, I promise just not yet" I brushed some of his hair from his face with a sad smile nodding.
"that's fine when you're ready" I smiled softly up at him.
He freezes for a moment just looking at me before he slowly leans in taking my face in his hands his lips hovering over mine, all I had to do was tilt my head up and we'd be kissing, but he changes last-second kissing my forehead gently "I'll keep you safe, I promise"

Shortly after Jay had to leave to join up with the rest of the guys. I sat on the table for 10 minutes on my own mulling over my thoughts, I quickly got up running my hand through my hair and heading downstairs to the hall for the dance. I saw the guys here and there throughout the night with 2 older boys and the one they had been hanging out with for the last few years.
The only one who was bold enough to come over to me was Samson who came over with a drink, we chatted for a short while and as soon as I finished my drink he took my hand with a grin, which for him was odd, and danced with me for two songs making sure I enjoyed myself properly before kissing my cheek and whispering in my ear "stop worrying, relax and enjoy yourself" he smiled softly winking at me, his back to the others.
I glanced at them shyly "if they ask, you're a classmate nothing more" I nod once letting him leave as I went and joined Josie.