"Ms. Andrea. Ms. Andrea!" There was a brief pause before some giggling. "Analeigh!"
With a snort I lifted my head up off my desk, hastily glancing around the room as I sat up. "It would be nice if you could grace us with a conscious presence Analeigh." Mr. Andrei said, glowering at me over his thick round glasses. "Oh." I gasped, had I been sleeping? I felt my face as it began to heat up, the students around me snickering as they turned back to face the front.
"I'm s-sorry." I whispered as Mr. Andrei continued with his lecture. Note to self: all-nighters on school nights were a terrible idea. My eyes felt as if they had been cast on fire, my body begging for release, for a comfy surface and a warm blanket. Just at the thought my eyelids had begun to droop once again, my mouth running dry and my breathing sluggish. I tilted my head back to yawn, lapping at my lips as I struggled to keep awake.
I scrubbed my eyes relentlessly with the backs of my hands, my chin dropping to my chest as my eyes gradually dropped and snapped wide, dropped and snapped wide. Smack! I yelped quietly as a paper ball collided with my temple, muttering angrily to myself I turned around to face Gavril.
His eyes glued to the board where I could hear Mr. Andrei's messy slashing and dashing on the chalkboard. Turning around I looked at the ball crumpled up on my desk. And with eyes that moved between my teacher, the diagram on the blackboard and the lined recycled paper in my hands, I began to read: Were you telling the truth? Are you really pregnant?
It was his writing, I knew the moment I'd opened the paper. But how was I to respond, tell him it was a lie? Ask for forgiveness?
No Gavril, it's not true. You scared me yesterday, I didn't know what to do and I panicked.
I squished the paper up again in my hand and launched it back at him. Missing horribly the paper landed just next to his foot, both Gavril and I quickly looking to see if we had been caught. Luckily, Mr. Andrei had gotten very into his math lecture, clutching his text book and waving the long piece of yellow chalk in the air as he read and illustrated. I sighed in relief, slinking back down into my chair as I waited for Gavril's reply.
Speaking of which, the paper again managed to hit me in the temple, Gavril's muffled chuckle coming from the back corner. I was somewhat glad that he was, well, writing to me again. I felt at ease knowing that he was ready to talk to me, a rather hefty weight stepped off my chest as well, ringing in a new comfort. Once more I unwrapped the note, flattening it as my eyes flicked over his words.
You lied to me! How could you! Especially about something like that, I hope you know I didn't sleep at all last night and it's your entire fault.
I smiled; I guess that makes two of us. I thought as I wrote.
I'm sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you. Forgive me?
I looked to Mr. Andrei and swiftly sent the paper ball flying back at Gavril; he kneeled to pick it up just as our teacher turned round to question Alina Sharpe, whom we all knew would never get the correct solution. I watched Gavril's eyes scan the paper in his hands; hastily he peered up and began scribbling away. What rebels we were.
When he flung it back at me butterflies began swishing around in my stomach, their delicate wings tickling my insides. Gasping as I read an evil little four letter word: Nope.
My heart thudded heavily like a hammer on damp cloth. My fingers scrambling as if they'd never be able to get to my pencil fast enough.
Gavril I said I was sorry, why are you making this so much worse?
I didn't even bother to check and see if Mr. Andrei was looking now, instead I just twisted awkwardly in my chair and sent the white ball flying. Gavril caught it easily, his eyes fixing to the lecturer at the front of our class, discussing the Pythagorean Theorem with Alina. Luckily enough, I figured Mr. Andrei was much too much enveloped in his lesson to have seen me.
I saw Gavril's lips twitch as not to smile or laugh as he tossed the paper at me. Unfortunately, I didn't have the kind of speed as my gangly friend, so with a yip I ducked out of it's way. Gavril smacked himself with heel of his hand while I rocked in my chair to pluck it up from the floor. "Not so hard!" I mouthed back at him Gavril snickering quietly to himself as he slouched in his desk, which was much too small for him I now noticed.
It read: What makes you think I want an apology?
"What?" I whispered, what did that mean? He didn't want my apology? Oh so now he was just being a dick. I gnashed my teeth angrily together as I scrolled back. My writing was hard and fuming, my thoughts centered on how rude Gavril was being.
I scribbled: What more do you want?
Irritated now, I jerked my wrist and threw the clump of paper at him. Gavril rolling his eyes as he reached up and captured the ball in both of his hands. "Oh, Mr. Cohen, I would assume you can answer the formula then?" Mr. Andrei said, it was not a question. I smirked as Gavril dropped his hands to his lap, his atoms apple bouncing as he gulped. "um…pie." He finally managed to say.
Mr. Andrei's eyes bugged a moment, about to correct Gavril when he glanced down at his book. "Oh!" He gasped. "C-correct, good listening Gavril." Mr. Andrei forced a smile. Gavril sighed, relieved as he quickly unfurled the paper on his desk. I watched him gather up his pen and speedily write a reply, and flick the note back at me.
All that was written was: I think you know.
I felt the confusion on my face as I read the four words, 'I think you know' what was that supposed to mean? Was he purposely trying to confuse me or something?
Just as I turned around to ask, the bell rang. Grumbling grumpily to myself I caught glimpse of an orange belt, my eyes locking on the neon colour standing a foot away from me. Gavril played with his studded belt, sitting on the desk in front of me while I collected my binder and text book. His big hands scrubbing eraser bits off of his green thermal and jeans.
I followed him out into the hall, where I planned to confront him about this stupid note. Gavril walked leisurely beside me, stumbling over his long legs and scowling when I chuckled. "W-what do you mean, 'I think you know'." I gave a terrible impersonation of his voice, Gavril smiling widely down at me as we slugged our way to the south wing, or English hall.
Gavril shrugged innocently, making me groan, why was he so annoying? Our conversation was left dangling, Gavril's attention on untangling the ball of knots that was his headphones. I noted that the halls were especially empty today; we were probably later than we usually were for class. My eyes traced over the ugly lockers and familiar tiled floors, glistening with fresh wax. Nothing like a castle, that's for sure.
Peering upwards, hoping to find a long dragon pointing me in the right direction, with its golden scales and ruby eyes. Instead I faced the foam and wood paneling, broken or cracked in some places. Dorian was right, maybe I was spending too much time in the castle.
I forever longed to return to it.
Was he okay without his eyes? My poor Dorian, oh! There was another surprise; usually he was the one to worry, what was there for me to be troubled by? He was immortal, he was impossibly fast, impeccably strong and to top it all off, he was, rather blatantly the manifestation of fire. I needn't be concerned. Of course, this was me; there was no way for me not to fret about him.
I knew Dorian; he would be second guessing everything now, unable to tell truth from deceit, he would not trust his own family. If I was not there, who was that he could have confidence in? Hristea? No, that was just a stupid idea all together. Emilia? Well, I suppose, if worse came to worse…how about Viola? Of course! Why I hadn't I thought of him? Dorian trusted him, they were like brothers.
See Analeigh, nothing to panic about. I thought to myself, exhaling in a hardy gust. Gavril touched my cheek, making me yelp at the suddenness of the feeling. When I realized he'd swept away the streak of tears that had snuck from my control. "What's wrong?" Gavril murmured, sounding a lot more caring than he usually did. I was so used to his sarcasm and teasing and interest in things that no one else cared for, that his abrupt concern left me flabbergasted. "
Nothing, I just…it's nothing." I could not tell him things like this anymore, things that involved Dorian. I feared that Gavril would run again, that he would go to a place where I could not be with him anymore. Where we could not be friends anymore. If we were even that.
"Sure, looks like nothing." Gavril snorted shaking his head, blond wisps of his shaggy hair sweeping across his cheeks and nose. I smiled emptily up at him, the two of us carrying on our way seemingly undetected by others, which was something I very much enjoyed.
"You really had me freaked out yesterday Red." Gavril said as we paced lethargically up stairs, our shuffling feet echoing throughout the narrow stairway. "I'm really sorry Gavril, it was stupid of me, I hadn't the intention of hurting you." I said quickly, "I want to make it up to you for…everything."
Everything. I wanted to apologize for everything, for my everything. I was to make an apology for loving Dorian and not my best friend? Good job Analeigh, that makes sense.
"You want to make it up to me?" Gavril asked with a smirk. Uh-oh. He had that look in his eye, that look that glistened in James' eyes before he'd throw me in the pool. The look of mischief, of Hristea.
My gut gurgled apprehensively; I had definitely put my foot in my mouth. I could feel the nervousness in my veins as my cheeks flared, my blood coursing speedily up to my face. Then again, this was Gavril; he wouldn't make me do anything too bad. Unlike Hristea, I was pretty sure Gavril had a heart. I hope…
Gavril snickered, he was probably envisioning me eating worms or, rather, me digging in the mud for worms. Me and any form of bug did not get along, I could only imagine the kicks he'd get out of seeing me run from a little worm. A slimy…sticky…smelly, dirt covered worm. The thought alone was enough to make me cringe.
"What are you thinking?" Gavril said, probably hoping I'd give him a little gasoline to fuel his fire of ideas. "Nothing." I said hurriedly, he wasn't getting anything out of me, nothing that involved creepy-crawlies.
Gavril stopped in his tracks, staring down at me from his stilts. I shuffled in my t-shirt, it was then I noticed we'd dressed the same. Was tall blond and annoying stalking me now? I wore my much-loved green t-shirt, that I'd stretched this morning so it'd fit, well, over my chest and my stressed kipris. While Gavril wore his striped emerald thermal and destroyed skinny jeans. If I hadn't known better I would have sworn we'd planned this.
I tilted my head back to look him in the face, my lips parted to accuse him of copying me. Hold it. Tilt my head back? Gavril wasn't this close ten seconds ago. Nor did he have his gangly arms around my waist, he wasn't leaning in either.
Oh God. Abort! Abort! My stomach looped anxiously around itself, my brain screaming at me to go one way while my body shrieked to go the other. Before I could unravel my stomach or choose a direction he'd already played his card. My books pressed between his chest and mine, my mouth overrun by cherry lip balm and, my heart slammed against my ribcage, thumping around erratically.
On impulse I tasted Dorian, tasted an angel. I was already prepared for him to slip away, and for Gavril to be underlying. This was so wrong!
This was not difficult, I had not been thrown into a Mazda, I had not been pinned down in a supply closet. What this was, was Gavril. Who tasted like cherry lip balm and warmth and humanity and sunshine. And I liked it.
He wasn't fearful and clumsy as before, but rather confident and sure, like he actually knew what he was doing. Which, sadly, was untrue. Away went his lip balm and felt his heart skipping. He was so human, so proper and right.
I heard my books as they clattered nosily to the tiles below and fastened my arms around his shoulders. I kissed him back, my lips responding to every question his put forward. And it was smooth and delicious and wholly imperfect.
Gavril sighed and I smiled at least, in a way, one of us was being pleased. Which made me happy, I liked being the piece that completed the puzzle, I liked being able to fulfil him. It was what I always wanted to do; it's what friends were for. But of course Gavril and I were not friends, and doing this again proved that. We couldn't be friends; friends could not be with each other like this with this much…passion. With this much meaning.
There was a low, guttural sound, a sound I'd heard multiple times. Only this did not come as an aroused growl, or rumble in his chest or slip pleasantly through his teeth. No, this was Gavril, not my friend, moaning. Stop! My conscience screeched, making me jump and break our connection.
The world spilled in around us from all angles, pouring in wave after harsh wave. "Oh my God." I breathed, what have I done? Gavril was talking but I tuned him out, there was something, something triggering my memory, something I needed to remember. Something very important that Dorian had said something that would change my universe if I forgot. "Red?" Gavril said, pulling me back to look at him. My heart stilled as I gasped. That was it. That's was Dorian had told me.
"I won't let you leave me Analeigh, and I will kill him should he touch you ever again."
"Oh my God." I repeated in a rasp. "Analeigh?" Gavril said, his voice genuinely concerned now.
I'd broken the rule; I'd snapped the damn thing right in half. Dorian would keep his word, he always kept his word. I killed Gavril; I blindfolded him and deliberately shoved him off the plank.
This is what happens when you play with fire:
You get burned.