This Chapter is dedicated to Silver and my bestie, Tammy! Thanks for giving me the motivation to keep writing about Markiel and Zephyr! XoX

Chapter Ten: Frustrations

Markiel sat on the bench, nearly exhausted. He had just spent most of the lunch break searching for Zephyr. He wasn't in his usual spot, neither were any of his friends. He wasn't in the library either. Completely stumped, he sighed heavily and placed his head in his hands.

Where is he? Is he avoiding me? Why? he thought sadly. About to give up and go to class, he caught sight of one of Zephyr s friends walking towards a class. He got up and chased after the boy, trying to remember who it was.

He finally caught up with him and tapped him on the shoulder. The boy turned around, beaming when he saw who it was.

"Markiel! How are ya? I haven't seen ya in ages! What'd ya do ta ya arm?" he questioned, staring at his arm that was in a cast and sling. Markiel noticed his weird accent and remembered that it was Guy. He waited while Markiel fumbled in his pocket for his new personal organiser. This one had a QWERTY keypad, so he could type up what he wanted to say with only one hand.

"I had an accident. Do you know where Zephyr is? I need to talk to him please!"

Guy scratched his head in thought. "Yeah, I 'avn't seen him either... " His face brightened up as a sudden memory struck him. "That's right! He told me 'e would be in basketball practise today, 'e would!"

Excitement fuelled Markiel as he thanked Guy and rushed off in the direction of the gym where he knew the tryouts were held. He checked his watch and hurried up, as there was only a few minutes left until the bell rung.

The gym was located at the far end of the school. It was a modern steel building that had been opened just last year. It sported two indoor courts, an outdoor swimming pool and its own gym complete with work-out machines and gym instructor. Markiel arrived there, pushing the heavy glass entrance doors open. He rushed across the polished wooden floor of the hallway connecting the two courts and gym together and opened the door two the old court (it already existed before the other things were added on around it) just as the bell sounded.

He glanced around the room. Several boys were packing up the balls and uniforms. Zephyr had just taken off his blue team shirt and threw it onto a pile of others.

Ignoring the stares of the other boys, Markiel rushed across the court and straight to Zephyr. If he had a voice, he would have been screaming his frustrations at him. Instead, he bought his hand around and slapped Zephyr's cheek hard.

Zephyr stood there, his head turned to the side with the force of the attack. The others gasped in unison and everyone crowded around, thinking they were fighting. Markiel got embarrassed and shy at the sudden attention. Leaving Zephyr standing there, dumbstruck, he ran through the crowd and out of the gym.

He didn't go to class; he kept running until he was out of breath. He sat on a nearby step, not really paying attention to where he had ended up. Tears were streaming down his cheeks. He didn't know why he had hit Zephyr. It was unlike him to use violence against anyone, especially in front of such a large crowd. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails sliced into his flesh. He grimaced at the pain and blankly gazed at the small burrows which were bleeding profusely now. Why? he asked himself forlornly. Why? Why? Why? He brought his knees up against his chest and placed his face in his good hand. He ripped off his glasses and flung them away. He huddled there; eyes closed, shoulders shaking, bawling and sniffing.

Time passed, he didn't know how much, but before he knew it, the bell for home was ringing distantly. He started, breaking out of his stupor. He stood on his sore legs and searched for his glasses, angry at himself for zoning out like that and missing classes. He found his glasses in a clump of weeds. Thankfully, they weren't broken, only a bit dirty. He polished them and put them on. He glanced around, shocked at where he ended up after he had run in blind panic. He was outside Zephyr's house and had been sitting on his doorstep. He didn't know what to think. Had he run there intentionally? Was it just because Zephyr's house was the closest to school? Was it a coincidence?

He started down the path quickly, glimpsing around furtively, hoping that no one was around. He spotted an old lady across the road, surveying him suspiciously. Markiel smiled nervously and waved at her, hoping he seemed as casual as possible. As he stalked out of the front gate, he caught sight of Zephyr in the distance, walking down his street.

Panicking once more, Markiel dived behind a bush in Zephyr s garden, hoping he hadn't been spotted by him. He was so embarrassed, he thought he would die.

Zephyr strolled down the street, still pondering Markiel s reaction earlier today. He knew he deserved it. He was none the wiser that the mute was crouching in his garden. He noticed Ms. Mabel, his neighbour, across the road. He waved at her in a friendly manner. "Hey, Ms. Mabel," he called across the street to her. She waved back and then shouted back something that sounded like she saw someone crying on his doorstep. He shrugged and walked into his garden. Just as he walked past where Markiel was hiding, he sneezed. It wasn't loud, but Zephyr heard it still.

"Hello? Who's there?" he demanded, peering around his garden. Markiel covered his mouth, not wanting to make another noise even though it is impossible for him to do so. Zephyr didn't give up looking, but muttered to himself, "Must've been a cat or something." He crouched down and started to rub his finger against his thumb. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty. Puss, puss, puss..." he cooed. When nothing happened after a minute, Zephyr sighed and stood, giving up.

As the boy was turning away, Markiel sat down because his legs were getting cramped from crouching for so long. Something sharp pricked his behind, making him jump to his feet. He blushed the brightest yet, knowing Zephyr was staring at him in bewilderment. "Um... Hello, Markiel..." he said. "Um... What are you doing here?" Markiel gazed down at his feet, far too embarrassed to look at him. He didn't want to reply, he just wanted to be left alone.

"Come back for more?" Zephyr asked with anger in his voice. "Want to have another go at me?" The ashamed boy shook his head sadly.

"Why'd you hit me? In front of everyone... How dare you!" Markiel flinched, expecting to be punched or hit. But nothing happened.

He glanced up at Zephyr and was surprised. He was on his knees, his hands clasped in front of him as if he was praying, but his eyes were open. He was looking straight at Markiel.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me... I've been such a dick to you. I've been so mean. Forgive me, please. I love you so much, I don't know why I hurt you so..." he pleaded, tears starting to flow.

Markiel was dumbstruck. He scrabbled in his pockets for his personal organiser, but not knowing what to say. He started by asking why. "Why are you so weird? Why were you avoiding me? You say you love me and then you turn around and do something weird and hurtful."

"I'm sorry. I... I tried too hard. I love you, Markiel. I was just afraid. I didn't want to find out that you hated me. I was terrified that I would hurt you... OK," Zephyr sat down, taking a deep breath. "Alright, I ll tell you. But please don t hate me..."

Markiel shook his head and sat down next to him, hoping that he was about to finally understand everything.

*Sorry for leaving you with a cliff-hanger, but the chapter went a bit long in the end.
*FYI, Zephyr s house is near the school, so that s how Markiel heard the bell.