Chapter 13

"Myrnin, are you here?" I call through the apparently empty lab: at least the lab part is empty, since Myrnin is emerging from his (actually quite big bedroom: there's a king-sized bed, huge wardrobes and a mirror, along with more bookshelves) room, with lovely, tight fitting jeans, a fitted black tank top and… pink bunny slippers with fangs. His hair is still glistening from his shower, long(ish – they're what I'd call floppy) strands of black hair in his eyes but he shakes them out of them, to see me properly.

"Yes I am here, I was just getting ready – obviously," he says rather awkwardly, and I nod and feel just as awkward – perhaps more so – than with Shane in the kitchen earlier. Because I used to date Shane, whereas Myrnin and I are only friends.

"Do you want a cup of tea?" he asks me and I nod so he goes to his spacious, refurbished kitchen and puts the kettle on. He gets out 2 mugs, 2 teabags and the milk and as he waits for the kettle to boil, I dump my bag on the floor and survey the fact the lab looks as good as it did before the gunkballing.

"Myrnin, you got all the gunk off the walls," I acknowledge and he says:

"Yes, well it only took a couple of hours because I move faster than you and can reach places without injuring myself," he nonchalantly replies just as the kettle boils.

Next to his chair is the leather sofa that I always sit on, and I grab the book I was reading before gunkballing – the history of quantum physics, circa 1456 – the ideas then were astronomically different to the knowledge – or at least speculation – of today. Still, it's best to work my way through the entire history of the subject, to fully understand it before then tackling alchemy, chemistry and every other subject to do with science. I'm never going to manage it.

Myrnin comes over with a cup of tea each, as well as rich tea biscuits, one of which I dunk instantly into the scalding tea.

"Honestly Myrnin, how hot do you want it to be? Am I going to be a test subject on a new treatment you have for burned throats? No, I thought not!" I complain, laughing on the inside but feeling a little nasty when his face falls dramatically. I mean, come on it was only a criticism of his tea, not of him. Men – such volatile creatures: and they say women are bad!

Once he has poured more milk in to counteract the boiling water, and I can drink the tea, I give him the compliment I have always wanted to give him:

"Myrnin, you really do make the best tea!"

"Thank you my dear, now it isn't killing you, I do hope you enjoy it!" he jokes at the end, and all ill feelings are forgotten. This is how we are though: one minute arguing over something silly – usually for fun, actually – then back to complete normal, chilled (or learning) as best friends. Which is actually how I view Myrnin now, given I spend so much time with him (and actually not just time I'm paid for, I do drop in for visits often), as well as I like his personality and just his company. I don't actually think I would have been as fine over Shane and I splitting if I didn't have this place to come to.

And for the next 3 hours we work away at the history of physics, circa 1456 (apparently, according to Myrnin this book covers all the way up to 1500's, just before Isaac Newton (n.b I have forgotten which century Isaac was in, so apologies) so there is quite a lot in it – the volume before covered six months) learning the new theories and advancements in physics.

"Claire, there is something I need to talk to you about," Myrnin begins but I don't pay a great deal of attention, as I am drawing out the solar system theory back then, but say "Mmmhmmm" to show that I am listening.

"I don't know how to tell you this… I am very nervous and awkward about it – I don't know how to say it. Ok, six months ago my feelings towards you began to change. I don't know how, or why, but I just began noticing your hair, your clothing, linking everything in life back to you and it began to hit me. That I was in love with you. And you were with Shane and I didn't want to do anything to upset you or him, so I left the feelings buried – I focused on what you were as a friend to me Claire, nothing more. However, then you split with Shane and all of a sudden the feelings resurfaced: I was listening through the portal for anytime you were talking, not just shouting like I said – although I hear that without having to focus. You were, you are, all I could think about. Amelie knew from the moment my feelings began to change – she was the one who told me that it all meant I love you. I feel so wretched because you obviously don't want me, but Amelie said either I had to tell you before the 31st or she would: and I couldn't let her tell you. She wouldn't express all this to you – she'd lay it out flat not expressing anything. Oh please Claire." Myrnin breaks off with audible feeling of heartache.

Oh my god. Has he really just said that? I cannot believe it: but is that what all these random things concerning Myrnin is – his clothes, his body, the way that I find a link – however tenuous – back to him in everything? That it is because I love him, deep down but I have been too scared up till now to admit it? As I can really see that happening for me – little Claire Danvers, hiding her feelings even from herself.

"Myrnin, I, I don't know what to say," I begin, stalling for time for me to be able to seek deep within my soul for an answer.

"You have to believe me – I didn't do anything to break you and Shane up," he pleads with me, and I completely believe him.

"Honestly, I believe you – I know you didn't do anything because Shane and I... we weren't right for each other. Because all along, I… I was destined to be with you," I say and with that, I know the answer is that I love him. I cannot imagine my life without him – everyday I have to see him – I go crazy if I don't. all along I thought it was work, but it's not, it's the teacher.

"What do you mean?" he asks, typical guy style – honestly, they really don't get anything!

"Myrnin, what I mean is… I love you. I have all along, since I helped you through your crazy days and have been with you as much as I can since – every day because I cannot be without you – I love you. I love you. I love you!" I say, getting a little louder every time I say I love you.

His eyes widen in shock, and relief and excitement and happiness and so many other emotions that I cannot describe because I am lifting my head, and he is dipping his (even though we are sat, he is still so much taller than me) and our lips connect with a spark of fire. A spark of excitement, of exhilaration spreads through me turning from the spark to a whole source, making my entire body a livewire.

The kiss itself is actually so soft and gentle and sweet – just like a first kiss should be – but only when you focus from underneath the passion. We break apart and I smile into his face, noses inches apart.

"Hey," hey says and I say "Hey" back.

And then I kiss him again, and the passion – it's just like fireworks exploding in the room, in me, in my heart and I know this is how a relationship is meant to be – whatever Shane brought is so miniscule in comparison – and if he doesn't feel the same, well I don't know! I am just so happy!

Myrnin's POV

She loves me. She loves me. She LOVES ME! I dip my head just as she lifts hers, and we kiss and I know it's just as a first kiss should be – soft, gentle, amazing – but there is such passion – I feel electric coursing through my (admittedly lifeless) veins, heating my entire body so that I want to rip off this top, these trousers and be with her, but I cannot.

"Hey" I hear myself saying – why did I say that? But she says the same back, and then she kisses me, and it's even better than the first…

Claire's POV

We break apart for me to actually be able to breathe – so I don't die, which is so what I don't want now I've found this.

"Claire," Myrnin begins, slightly hesitantly, but whilst slipping his hands around my waist which feels so nice, "Claire, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"

YES! I feel like screaming, but settle for a more sedate, "Absolutely gorgeous! Pick me up at seven?" I tack on the end, feeling cheesy but loving it all the same.

"Of course, you'd best go get ready – if you wear this rather fetching outfit (I notice that in our embrace, my top has shifted revealing slightly more than it is supposed to, but I don't care) I don't think I could stop myself. But may I have one last kiss before you leave?" he says, and I oblige him this request, feeling entirely weak at the knees, swooning at the depth of his kiss – it's warmed me to the bone!

I grab my backpack with shaking hands before walking through the portal, hand to head in excitement, in exhilaration – I went to work this morning normal, now I'm completely and erratically in love!

Please review this chapter!

Vicky xx

If you review, I may post the next one tonight! XD