Chapter 3 – You smell nice.

I practically leapt from the car, excited to be back at the place I loved.

Well, that was partly why.

My boots crunched loudly as I made my way up the gravel path. I neatly stepped around the 'puddle' that the First Years had made, and knocked on the front door of the school I adored so much.

'Hello?' I called. It was quiet, too quiet. 'Anyone home?'

No answer.

I sighed, pushing on the door handle gently, and letting it creak open.

I peered inside, no one was around.

'Hello...?' I didn't expect an answer, but I was still hoping that there was someone around.

Still no reply. Strange.

I wandered around the empty foyer, poking my head into rooms randomly.

And that's when I heard the steady thumping of music.

Brightening, I ran down the corridor, stopping when I reached the hall, and then bursting into the room.

Bam!

The smell hit me like a tonne of bricks; perfume, alcohol and sweat poured from the bodies of the bustling students, nearly knocking me out in the process.

I was definitely home. Though, surprisingly, no one had noticed my arrival.

I scanned the room frantically, looking for the brown-haired bubble that was my best friend, and then I spotted her. She was standing at the edge of the room, doing that awkward half-bop thing she does when she isn't really feeling the music, she looked sad, and it nearly broke my heart to see her this way. I knew I'd caused her the pain, and guilt clawed at my stomach.

I need to make it up to her, I thought to myself, but where do I start? I feel as if I've let her down.

I've broken my promise.

Screw this.

I pressed myself against the wall, sticking to the shadows so no one would recognise me.

I didn't want anyone to see me before I spoke to Annabelle; she had to be the first to know I was here.

I kept my eyes firmly on her back as I crept up behind her and gently placed my hands over her eyes.

'Guess who.' I said softly, not wanting to scare her.

'I...I don't know.' I felt her frown beneath my fingertips, 'Is it Chelsea?'

'No,' I laughed quietly, pressing my chest against her back, 'It isn't Chelsea.'

She giggled, 'Uhm...is it Taylor?'

'No, I'm not a chav – I hope.' I smirked, this was fun.

She laughed but then sighed, 'Then I really don't know.'

'Really?' I asked, hurt that she could have forgotten me so easily.

'Wait... is it...?' she trailed off, unsure of herself.

'Is it who?' I whispered into her ear, curious as to who she thought I was.

'Kelly!'

She spun around in my grasp, cascading into me and throwing her arms around me with a laugh.

'I knew you'd come.' She mumbled into my chest.

'I promised I would, didn't I?'

'I know, but you were late.' Her smile became a scowl as she leant back in my arms to look at me properly. 'And you haven't visited since you made that promise!'

'I'm sorry.' I spoke softly, in a subtle attempt to calm her down. 'I wanted to come, but I had –'

'Work, I know.' She interrupted, still scowling but letting a small smile tug at the corners of her lips, 'And you haven't said it yet.'

'Said what?' I asked, bemused.

She laughed, 'what day is it?'

What on earth is she...?

'Oh!' I laughed, pulling her into another tight embrace, 'Happy Birthday, Fritton.'

'Thanks,' she said, wrapping her arms around my waist, 'it really means the world to me that you could be here today.'

'I know.' I replied, sighing loudly - she smelt nice.

She smelt beautiful... I wished I could keep her scent with me everywhere I went; just I could have a little piece of her wherever I was in the world.

'You smell nice.'

'What?' I pulled away from her, a confused look plastered across my face.

'You smell nice.' She repeated with a shy smile.

I smirked; she'd voiced my thoughts without meaning to.

'Thanks...oh, before I forget...' I reached into the back pocket of my jeans and pulled out a necklace, handing it to her. 'I'm sorry that I didn't have time to wrap it.'

I'd stopped at a little shop on the edge of the highway, tucked between two huge department stores, to get her a present. At the time, I hadn't been sure of what I was getting her, but I wanted it to be special – a present she'd remember for the rest of her life. As soon as I'd spotted the necklace, I knew it was perfect. After getting the heart engraved with 'Annabelle Fritton – Head Girl', I'd wondered if I should add anything else, but decided that simplicity was sometimes the best thing.

'That's okay; I didn't really expect any gifts!' She beamed at me, 'Would you help me put it on?'

'Sure.'

Annabelle stood with her back to me as I reached around her neck, fiddling with the clasp until it opened, and then closing it firmly again so it sat neatly on her pale neck.

'Thanks...' Annabelle smiled sweetly, 'Do you...?'

'-want to dance?' I finished, wrapping my fingers around her petite wrist gently, 'Sure.'

Annabelle slid her hands around my waist again and I let my hands fall behind her neck, clasped in place.

This is nice. I thought, pulling her closer. I could really get used to this.

'When do you leave?' she asked suddenly.

'Whenever you want me to.' I replied simply, but in truth I didn't know when I would leave.

'Okay,' she moved her head so it lay on my chest, 'then you won't be leaving.'

I was caught up in a world of my own.

'What?'

'You won't be leaving.' She repeated.

'Why?' I really needed to listen better.

She leant up and left a small but sweet kiss on the side of my cheek, before moving her lips to my ear.

I shivered slightly as her warm breath cascaded down the neck of my shirt.

'Because,' she said softly, 'I never want you to leave.'

A/N: I'm thinking I could leave it there, but that would be incredibly cruel... so, I'll continue it, just for you guys. =] Thank you for all the comments, and, SilverTurtle – thanks for pointing out that little error, I probably won't change it because I don't have the time or energy right now, but I really appreciate it when people point out that sort of thing because it lets me know what I need to work on. I hope you guys liked the little kiss I put at the end, I wanted it to be short and sweet. You guys are pretty lucky, I don't usually update twice in one day! So I hope you all appreciated it! =]

Keep writing guys!

ily xx

=]

P.S. I will post some more when I can, I hope you guys like where this story is going – even if I'm not so sure of it myself! =]

P.P.S. The rest of you need to update your St. Trinian's stories too! If you don't, I will start holding my chapters ransom, or making trades... e.g. a chapter for a chapter, a kiss for a kiss. =]

P.P.P.S. Also, if anyone wanted to work on a joint St. Trinian's fic, I'd be more than happy to, as long as it was a pairing [if any pairing] that I was happy with.