Mediator AU Chapter 2

Let me tell you, spending a day in school with a headache wasn't easy. Especially since the most spoken about couple in school (Paul and myself apparently) seemed to be going through a rough patch.

Rumors were spreading like wild fire.

However that's not what was making things difficult today, everything I seemed to know was foggy, or perhaps I hadn't realized how busy I actually was. I was taking classes I had never imagined I would taking when I lived in New York.

I thought I hated math.

More so the fact I never thought I would detest dating someone as handsome and rich as Paul.

Why did I detest it so much? I honestly didn't know he had all the qualities I've always dreamed of.

I just couldn't get the idea out of my head that he did something terrible.

Around the end of the school day I had manage to collect some of my thoughts and remember some of the things around my life, yet I had this heavy feeling in my chest that it was wrong.

Not that there was evidence to the contrary.

Since I had a headache I let my body autopilot itself to it's destinations, it was working so far. I was feeling pretty detached the whole day though somehow I managed to still participate in class and answer questions in subjects I don't remember studying.

Before I knew it, I was waiting beneath a tree and was sitting on a bench. A part of me got the feeling I was supposed to be with my step brothers so they can take me home. That part seemed so far away now.

I sat there quietly and pulled out a medical book from my backpack, and was surprised to find out I had bookmarked a lot of cerebral notes, meaning I was looking into psychology.

I grinned to myself and felt proud of myself.

"Why do you look so happy?"

I looked up at the sound of a snarky voice and noticed a disgruntled preteen.

Did I mention she was a ghost?

"Oh" I said feeling that I knew her "Hello Mercedes" her name came naturally. So naturally it sent chills down my spine.

How did I know her. Was I helping her?

"I forwarded the note to Jacob like you asked but..." I continued. Hiding my confusion well.

I do remember doing those activities.

"...but I'm still here as you can see" she raised both her arms.

"Yes..." I said awkwardly.

"...he hasn't read it yet...also that boyfriend of yours threatened to exercise me again!" she whined, her voice was so high pitched.

"Paul...?" I trailed off "I don't think he's my boyfriend" I told her.

"Not according to this year book" a new voice laughed, I turned and saw Paul standing there. Then he caught site of Mercedes "Also beat it kid, or I really will exorcise you. Suze has done enough for you she has other things to worry about it"

Mercedes scowled "Humph!" she folded her arms and turned to me to say "You can do better Suze" before she vanished.

After she was gone I furred my eyebrows at Paul, I became uneasy especially since he sat real close to me and place his arm around me.

Though I still felt anger towards him I had managed to suppress this time, mostly because I needed answers.

The shudder however...I couldn't suppress.

"Not mad at me for slapping you this morning?" my voice was uneasy. I casually tried to ease away from him.

"Well mad is too strong of a word my love" he realized I was trying to get away and strengthened his grip. Which I was allowing for now, trust me if I wanted to get away from him I would've.

"However forgiveness is easily earned" his index finger lifted my chin forcing me to make eye contact.

He smirked and slowly leaned in.

At this point I was no longer okay with our proximity and stood up so abruptly that he kissed the bench.

I had to stifle my laughter especially since this time Paul looked angry about it.

"What the hell!?" he demanded, scrubbing at his mouth.

"S-sorry Paul..." I stuttered, seeing a new darkness in his eyes I became a little frightened.

"I'm just not feeling well you know?" It wasn't a lie.

Something seemed to have dawned over Paul "Right that makes sense..." it sounded like he was talking to himself.

"Hey, have I had an accident or something recently? I just don't feel like myself." I tried that damsel in distress tone I've seen in movies. I knew Paul had something to do with how I felt, how he did it was different.

Paul chuckled nervously but shook his head "Even if you had I wouldn't know. Ever since you started the health academy program we haven't seen a lot of each other"

"It's only for one more month"

I gasped after I said, my hand quickly covering my mouth. I felt like I had said that line many times before, like we've had this conversation already. My response felt natural, and my headache seemed to be fading.

"Yeah I know" Paul answered either ignoring my gasp or not noticing it at all. He held both my hands "I feel like you're distancing yourself from me. Like you hate me"

I looked at him strangely, I felt like I was never his to begin with. With the slap this morning and the rejection moments ago I was relieved he was starting to get the message.

Nonetheless being in his presence made me feel unsafe.

"Paul I-" he interrupted me

"You're going to be late. We'll finish talking about this later, come on I'll drop you off" he said.

I smiled lightly and agreed "Yeah we'll talk later"

I sighed and turned to glance at the bench we left behind.

Mercedes reappeared and stared at us leaving.

Paul put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards him as we walked.

What was so bad about him?

I tried to convince myself but the voice in my head told me he was up to something and was getting away with it.

When we reached his car he opened the front door for me "Thanks" I said awkwardly

"Hey Suze" he leaned in when I took my seat

"What is it?" I said leaning back.

His cheeks became colored and his gaze shifted to the side.

I dreaded what he was going to ask me

"Can you ask your mom and step dad if I can join your family for dinner tonight?"

Oh was that all?

I had almost forgotten that I wanted to get away from him all day when I agreed to do it.

It was just the way he asked was so...innocent. It was a side I had never seen before...or at least I thought I hadn't.

"My mom is always happy to see you" saying that put a wrench in my heart.

"Great" said Paul happily "I'll pick you up too then"

As he drove my eyes lingered to the yearbook he brought earlier.

"Hey mind if I look at this for a bit?" I asked reaching for the book.

"Sure" he said indifferently, though his shoulders stiffened when I began to page through it, although I was sure I could sneak it away without him noticing. You learn a thing or two in New York.

As I turned the pages and found pictures of myself and Paul from tenth grade, which was right around the time I moved here. I thought he and I had met while I was...what was I doing? The headache that was fading away crept its way back.

I sighed and continued looking, there was a whole page of just our photo at the school dance.

Wow!

How on earth had I or he managed to pull that off!? A whole page just for us!

I couldn't help smiling, it was a really flattering shot after all. My hair was perfect, my strapless dress really showed off my muscles too.

I looked at my face, the make up was nice but that smile seemed...like it didn't belong to me.

Hmm...

I looked over at Paul who, thankfully was watching the road. I stealthily put it in my book bag near my feet. I made it look like I was pulling something out and came back up with one of my text books.

Also a full proof way for him to not talk to me while I pretend to study.

As soon as I did that Paul spoke up "Really now, more studying? This is literally the only time we have together and you're going to study?"

I raised an eyebrow at him and put my book back in my bag.

I let my hands fall on my lap causing a loud clapping noise and looked at him.

"You have the ground" I told him.

His lips turned into a tight line and he stared at the road intently.

"That's what I thought" and reached for my book.

"Well it's been a while, I'm not sure what to talk about"

We were at a red light and he took the opportunity to reach for my hand. I had to take a deep breath to calm down. I felt so much rage towards him but I needed answers.

"Suze..." he said gently "You know, you and I are meant to be together don't you?"

I lifted my hand away from him feeling uneasy "G-green light..." I stuttered directing his attention back to driving.

He turned back to the road visibly upset but luckily he didn't touch on the subject again.

When we arrived at the hospital, I sincerely thanked him for taking me. I realize now I would not have known how to get here. I was nervous to go inside, I was confident my legs knew where to take me however that wasn't what was making my heart beat quicker than average and I knew what the average beat was supposed to be.

No...there was something that was about to happen. I could sense it.

Mercedes suddenly appareled besides me.

"What are you doing here?" I sounded out of breath, I definitely felt dizzy. I wasn't sure if she answered me or not, I felt like I was over heating. I could feel the heat leaving my body. Somehow I managed to find my classroom and later my seat.

The room seemed blurry, that was strange.

"Hello class" the instructor arrived with a chipper personality. nauseating me more.

"I have a new T.A to introduce you too. Come in!" he happily called to the hallway.

Seems like the new T.A wanted to make an entrance.

I began to rest my head on the cold desk, in vain however as it quickly warmed up to my temperature.

I was beginning to feel pretty sweaty and I could barely hold back the tears that were threatening my eyes.

Why!? Why did I feel so sick!?

"He is in college at the moment but decided to take part in guiding the young minds for a semester.

I could tell that he had walked in since the girls that sat behind me were already whispering about him. I didn't have the strength to look over to where he stood. At this point he'd have to walk over to my line of vision.

"Hello"

I heard him greet the class confidently. He must have been handsome, since the class had turned into an uproar.

Okay, I'll admit I was becoming curious at this point. I didn't lift my head but raised a little just to catch a glimpse.

What stood before me I would never forget.

He began to introduce himself.

"I'm Hector De Silva, but please call me Jesse. Everyone does."

His smile was heart melting, he was tall, muscular yet lean, he made my heart beat faster and my stomach sick.

His eyes locked on mine, I wish they hadn't. My face was probably more visibly green than fair-my eye color certainly didn't help.

Jesse's eyebrows furred and made his way to where I sat the closer he got to me the more my head pounded the more heat I felt.

I saw his lips move but I didn't hear anything.

When his hand made contact with my forehead, everything went black.