You, Always

Chapter Twenty-Three: Second First Meetings

In maths, I caught Noah up with all what went on last night and he couldn't have comforted me better. He said a few things about it, one of which being it's my decision what I choose to do, and then we moved off of the topic.

But now it's the end of the day and I'm grabbing a few things from my locker.

"Ands? Did you hear what I said?" I'm torn away from my thoughts and see Mia staring at me.

"Oh yeah, right sorry." She crosses her arms over her chest and I slam my locker shut.

"I said why don't we go shopping this weekend to try and distract you from... things." I smile appreciatively.

"How about we just go now? We can get Ice cream. I could use mint choc chip right now." I don't give Mia an opportunity to reply because when I look in my bag, I see study books.

"Shit! Sorry ignore what I just said, I can't. I'm meant to be studying with Cole for our test."

It doesn't take long for a smile to take over her face. A smug one. "Studying, huh?" She winks and I groan.

"Right that's it, I'm leaving," I chuckle. "I'll speak to you later." I wave and turn around.

As I walk out the building, I send Cole a quick text and he replies straight away saying he's already outside waiting for me.

I turn the corner and there he is. Stunning as always, leaning against the side of the car while on his phone.

"So, studying at yours or mine?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Neither," I kiss him quickly as he opens the door for me, "We're going to the library. I remember what happened when we did that project when I first moved here. You get distracted way too easily."

He rolls his eyes pouting and he quickly makes his way to the driver's side of the car.

"Aww come on. My parents are working late tonight so we could just study at mine and watch something after." I groan because I know myself too well.

I'm going to give in. I can't help it.

Whatever Cole does, whatever he says, it's impossible to say no.

"How about fifteen minutes of revision, a few hours The Walking Dead?" I give him an 'are-you-serious-right-now' Look and he looks at me quickly while grinning before turning his head back to the road.

"I'm kidding," He laughs. "Maybe." I try to suppress the smile that's fighting hard to get onto my face.

"An hour and a half studying minimum." We're driving now, the school getting smaller and smaller in the side mirror.

"Maximum." He tries to disguise it as a cough and I laugh.

"You really can't help yourself can you?"

"Nope." He shakes his head, still staring at the road.

"I hate you."

"No, you don't. You love me." He teases and I scoff.

"Please, you're tolerable at best." He smiles.

"Would you be dating me if I was just 'tolerable'?" And I don't respond.

We both know the answer.

He's right though about what he said before that.

I do.

I do love him but he doesn't need to know that just yet.

*****

"What do your parents do for work?" I ask curiously as we walk up the stairs.