Yet another chapter ready for you...don't forget I'm still open for ideas...and I love reviews...:)

Chapter 7: Heaven

I waited eagerly, in anticipation of the arrival of Shay. He seemed to be taking forever and I had to keep reminding myself that I had to give him time to walk over here...and get away from his Dad who would probably be furious that he'd been suspended, especially over a girl. When he arrived, I literally hurled myself into his arm, almost sending us both flying.

"Wow, someone's pleased to see me," he commented, smirking in that cute, dreamy way that made my heart melt and my legs turn to jelly. I answered him by pressing my lips to his mouth and kissing him with an energy I didn't think I had left in me after all the drama of today. He responded just as enthusiastically, flicking his tongue gently against my bottom lip. My tongue rushed out to meet his, as he picked me up and carried me over to the bed, kicking the door shut behind him. He lowered me gently down not once letting his lips leave mine. Only when we were both lying down on the bed next to each other did he finally speak again.

"Cherry I was so worried about you...when you blacked out, I thought he might have seriously hurt you." He looked seriously into my eyes and I found myself getting lost in them. I almost forgot to reply.

"I'm fine Shay honest. I think I only fainted because I was in shock...he didn't actually hurt me - not physically at least."

"I swear if he ever does that to you again I'll rip his head with that stupid smug grin right off that stupid neck of his."

"Hey, hey, calm down. I'm ok, I promise." I smiled at him reassuringly, but then my eyes turned serious, like his. "How badly did he hurt you though?" I asked him concerned, my eyes begging him for an honest answer.

"Oh no, he barely touched me," Shay replied, not daring to meet my eyes. I raised an eyebrow at him sceptically. "Well ok I'm a bit bruised on my back but other than that I'm fine." I subconsciously hugged him closer to me but widened my eyes as he winced. I turned him over gently and lifted up his shirt, revealing the tensed, bruised muscles on his back. I gasped.

"It's fine Cherry," Shay muttered looking at the floor, obviously embarrassed by my reaction.

"So you don't want me to kiss it better then?" I asked, a playful expression on my face.

"Well obviously I wouldn't say no if you wanted to..." he said, smirking at me over his shoulder, but I turned over teasing him.

"No, no, you obviously don't want me to," I muttered, pretending to sulk.

"Cherry," Shay complained. "I want my kisses." But I refused to turn over keeping up the act until he started tickling me.

"Shay!" I squealed in protest but he just tickled me harder. Finally I gave in.

"Ok, ok," I panted. "You get your kisses." I was a tad bemused when he got up from the bed but soon realised it was just to take off his shirt. My eyes widened again but this time it was in awe as I took in the defined chest muscles that proved why he was one of the most popular, good looking people in the school. He laughed as he took in my expression.

"What?" he teased. "Haven't you ever seen a guy take his shirt off before."

"No," I muttered slightly embarrassed and this time it was his turn to widen his eyes.

"What ever?" he asked surprised.

"Well not one that wasn't related to me," I amended.

"Well take this sight in then because it's one of the best chests around here and it's all yours," he winked at me.

"Wow so modest," I laughed rolling my eyes, but pulled him back onto the bed and into my arms anyway. Like he'd done to the back of my hand in the morning to soothe my nerves, I gently rubbed gentle circles on his back and I felt him sigh, as though at least a small portion of his pain was being relieved. I looked up at his face to see that his eyes were closed and he was smiling as if a great weight had been lifted.

"That feels so nice Cherry," he started to say but I cut him off swiftly with a kiss. He lifted himself on top of me and when we broke apart he rested his head on my chest, just listening to my heart beat. "I could stay like this with you forever Cherry," he sighed contentedly.

"Ditto," I said. "Right now, being here with just you, I feel like I'm in heaven."

"Do you think this, us, will last forever?" he asked me, suddenly serious.

"I certainly hope so," I replied, "but I always worry - what happened to my mum. What if you die young too?"

"It won't, I promise. We have plenty of time left yet."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," I retorted quickly but then took that back. "Sorry, it's just I'm so afraid Shay. What if the people at school never leave me alone?"

"They will," he assured me. "Just give them time and they'll come to see you how I see you - as an amazing, creative, beautiful angel."

"And in the meantime?"

"In the meantime, I'll protect you, just like I did today." I smiled, accepting his answer for now.

"My knight in shining armour," I muttered before falling asleep, with Shay's arms still wrapped tightly around me. I think I remember Shay kissing me lightly on the cheek before I slipped into the warm embrace of sleep.