Gwen slammed her books into her locker. Returning to school after Christmas break was a disaster waiting to happen. She missed her iPad alarm. She overslept. She left her lunch at home. She couldn't find a glove. Her phone –lost in Arthur's car. Uther was on a diplomatic mission-that really wasn't too bad. Uther left Arthur and Morgana in the care of Arthur's creepy uncle. The mere thought of his name sent cooties careening down her spine. Her own parental unit was missing –in-action like a bad Chuck Norris movie. Arthur loved "MIA" and "Rambo" movies-he had all of them with his secret stash of "Little House on the Prairie"-the entire series. He claimed that Morgana watched them. He pouted when she pointed out that they were kept under his bed.
Sighing, Gwen realized that break was differently over. It had been fantastic. Her pleas fell on Tom's sympathetic ears-they stayed in Washington for the holiday season. She explored museums and art galleries with Arthur. One day, they snuck to New York City with Merlin. It was a quick shot on Amtrak. It was so magical walking around with Arthur except Merlin wanted to play with toys during their quick trip to the Big Apple. They wasted precious time watching Merlin play the piano with his feet.
Beyond being dreamy, Arthur was an amazing boyfriend. Underneath his cocky exterior laid a truly wonderful heart. Frowning, Gwen didn't want to think of spring. Arthur and Morgana and the rest of their crew were seniors. Gwen and Merlin would be left behind to fend for themselves. Arthur would return home to the UK leaving Gwen and Merlin alone. Arthur reasoned that they would Skype daily, and he would return to the States for the holidays. Hiding her insecurities about her age, and pretty English girls hanging around her guy caused her to have endless nights of worry. She felt so silly. Tristan and Isolde made it work, and they were divided by most of the United States.
Shutting her locker door, Gwen flipped her lock.
Off to Latin with Sister Agnes. Sister Agnes knew every pope over the last 200 years. Latin is boring… and more boring like Sister Agnes. It would never wither away like Sister Agnes.
A pair of warm hands covered Gwen's eyes. She bit her lip when his breath brushed her ears. Arthur's touch could still make her want to jump up and down whenever he was around her. Her smile faded away. Her nose scrunched slightly as her brows knitted together.
Where are my warm cuddly feelings?
Ecstasy enveloped Gwen whenever Arthur was close by. His touch… just made her silly. She felt nothing except confusion.
Perhaps, Merlin or Gawain joking around.
Gwen pushed the intruder's hands down. A sharp retort forming on her tongue. Spinning on her heel to appear haughty like Morgana, Gwen opened her mouth to deliver her barb. Shock caused Gwen to lose her ability to speak as Gwen stared into Lancelot's handsome smiling face.
"I wanted to surprise you, Gwen."
"Mission accomplished," Gwen replied weakly.
Her eyes scanned the hall for Arthur. Did he know about this? She knew the grapevine would roar with gossip.
Arthur knuckled a few of his friends as he strolled down the halls of Lady of the Lake High school. Life was good for Arthur. He had his girl. He had his mates. His father was gone for four months. Uncle Aggy was lenient and undemanding. Morgana's crypt had flowers instead of spiders the last few weeks. Life was beautiful.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed girls staring at him and whispering.
Admire my Pendragoness. Because I'm with Gwen-not you.
He realized that girls constantly whispered things about Gwen. Seniors don't date younger classmates. He knew that he was a hypocrite because he wanted Lancelot to dump Gwen last semester. Lancelot moved away and Arthur matured. Gwen was the best part of his life, and Gwen would always be the part of his life. If she wasn't his soul mate… he didn't have one. Gwen was everything to him. He simply kissed her brow, and whispered away her fears. She was the moon to his sun. They would make University work for them.
He liked his lips when he spotted Lancelot holding Gwen's hand in the middle of the corridor.
"Lancelot?"