The L's of Life

Part 2

I fervently searched the crowd of students, making sure to look out for a certain tall, sturdy figure. Pushing off my locker, I made it a few feet before I was dragged into an empty classroom. Sighing defeatedly, I looked up. North towered over me, despite the little height difference. His downward-turned mouth was drawn into a firm line, but his eyes... I couldn't look him in the eye.

"When are going to stop avoiding me? It's been three weeks," he pressed, lean arms crossed.

"I'm no-" That was the wrong moment to make eye contact. The ocean stared back at me, soft yet unyielding.

"I don't see you any differently. I just understand you more," he said softly, "Do I look like I'm judging you?" I searched his eyes, looking for something I somehow already knew wasn't there. After North had witnessed my vulnerability, I had quickly told him to leave and slammed the door in his face. Since then, I had been avoiding him.

I slumped heavily against the student desk behind me. "What is it you want?" I asked, hiding my shaking hand behind my back. He opened his mouth to argue only to realise I had given in. Idiot. I don't like arguing unnecessarily.

Straightening his shoulders, North held out a calloused hand, "To be friends?" he questioned hopefully. "And a confidant, if you ever need one," My eyes snapped to his, assessing his features, but only warm, honest eyes met me. My mind went to when he had held me steady, face pinched with concern. It was the first time I had seen that expression directed at me. Maybe that why I believed him. Maybe that's why I left from the cliff I had been standing on my whole life. Maybe that's why... I took his hand.

**

"No, no, NO!" I yelled in exasperation, slamming my locker door shut. Students in the corridor stared and a sense of deja vu hit me. Ah, what a familiar scene.

"Common 'Lina, it'll be fun!" he cheered, pushing off the neighbouring locker doors as I began to head to class. "You'll love it," he paused contemplatively, "it's outdoors..." he cooed, drawing on the last word. My ears perked. Of course, he noticed. Beaming victoriously, North dropped his arm around my shoulders, and whispered playfully in my ear, "know you couldn't resist." My ears turned crimson, as I flung off his arm.

"You-" I stared.

"Make sure to wear boots!" he called over his shoulder as he left me standing in the middle of the hall. Students walked past, inquisitive eyes assessing me.

**

North grunted under my weight, his steps heavy as he carried me on his back. "You weigh a ton," he choked out. Face flushed, I hit him on the side of the head.

"How is it my fault?! The root was just there. You're the one that wanted to continue anyway. Mr I can carry your skinny ass up this mountain," I shrieked accusingly. My ankle barking in protest from North's unsteady movements.

North relented, "Whatever." We didn't talk anymore after that. More because I don't think North could talk.

Relaxing, I breathed in the clean forest air as I took in the view. Evergreen trees towered above us on either side of the trail, branches extending over our heads to shield us from the blistering sun. A mesmerizing, green glow surrounded us as the sun shone through the leaves. The forest was alive with the buzz of life. I strained my ears to hear it all. Every rustle of the leaves, the constant rushing of a stream, the snapping of twigs, the birds' jovial melody.

I let myself drift on the breeze.

**

My sleep-laden eyes fluttered open to a gentle brush against my cheek. I whined softly in protest and tried to fall asleep again, but to no avail, the nudging persisted. Irritated, my eyes turned to thin slits, only to find that I was not on a bed... and what was nudging me was large nose mounted by two very wide eyes. I froze. Attentively, I lifted my head from North's broad shoulder and stared at him wordlessly.

"You have a very large nose," I stated abruptly.

"Well..." North cleared his throat, his gaze caught upon me, eyes darkening. "Hello to you too." The tenderness with which he whispered the words had my eyes drifting to his lips. I gulped and my breaths grew shallow.

"Y-you can put me down now," I internally cursed myself for stuttering.

"Right, we're here anyway."

Delicately, North released my legs from his grasp, and I began to lower myself from his back. Before I could place my wounded foot to the floor, North nimbly slid his arm around my waist to steady me. The weight of his arm burned through my clothing and the hairs along mine stood at attention. Clearing his throat once again, North lowered me to the grass then sat a foot from me, face forward.

Placing my confusion to the forefront of my mind, I turned to see what was holding North's attention. My breath caught in my throat; it was beautiful. A few meters from where we were both seated, the mountain began to slope down again and below that, the forest stretched out in a jagged sea of various shades of green. The sun on the horizon stretched out above it all, casting a warm blanket upon its subjects.

**

It was empowering to stand above it all, everything laid out beneath your feet. I don't know how long we sat like that, sometimes speaking softly to each other before I angled my head towards him. The sun had begun to set shrouding the lower half of his face in shadow. Involuntarily, my eyes darted to his lips. Taking in a steadying breath, I averted my gaze toward the sky.

Gathering my courage, I spoke softly, "Thank you. For today. It means a lot." I felt, more than saw him, turn towards me.

"Anytime."

Although not much had been said, words passed silently between us, filled with gratitude and a silent understanding. For the first time in a very long time... my shoulders felt light. Even if it was only for a moment.

TO BE CONTINUED...

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING GUYS!!!
I hope u enjoyed it - no matter how brief it was.