(1) Talk Me Down: An All Time Low Fanfiction Romance

Chapter 29: Library

        I managed to pul myself from the lunch table, once again. I still couldn't stand the sight of Nolan laughing loudly with that ridiculous smile on his face because of the stupid things Lindsey says. It was enough to make me feel like I was going to puke, stomach churning at the volume of his hysterics.

        I excused myself, fibbing to Veronica and Charlotte that I needed to type up a research paper for my History class. Charlotte eyed me cautiously, like I was up to something, but I gave her a reassuring smile. I wasn't going to do anything today. I pushed my luck on Friday. Plus, I didn't want to give her a reason to think of telling Veronica anything.

        Veronica nodded, teling me to have fun sarcastically, while turning back to Sam, who had started sitting with us a few days prior. She was giggling at something he said, flipping her hair flirtatiously, while poor Derek watching from feet away. He was trying his hardest not to glance towards the south end of the table, but he managed to capture mental pictures of the soccer star kissing his ex-girlfriend. I had a feeling Derek and I would have a lot to talk about if we ever got stuck together.

        I didn't actually thinkg that I would end up in the library for lunch hour. In fact, I figured I was just going to ditch the rest of the day altogether I had a killer headache, mostly from Lindsey's obnoxious giggles and Nolan's annoying chuckle. They were too much for me to handle, and the fact that I had never heard Nolan laugh so much with me made my head feel dizzy.

        I was sitting at a computer, in a room full of students. I was shocked that there were so many kids in the room at once. A normally extremely quiet place was hectic with underclassmen running througout the bookshelves and computers. It didn't take me lon to see that the freshmen were from Mr. King's Spanish class, as he ran around anxiously, trying to count his students. He was the sweetest man in the entire world, but he never knew how to keep his students under control, something I learned when I had him two years ago.

        At the library, the computers were on a large table that was attached to the wall, and wraped in the shape of an "L" over a good portion of the walls. I had one computer open next to me on the right, but I was typing absentmindedly for a project I had to finish for Chemistry. I barely understood the subject, with which chemicals meant what. We were assigned a paper having to do with the gasses, so I figured I might as well start it.

        I must have been dozing off, or really into my work, because when I heard a shift to my right, I jumped at the noise. My head whipped to the side, long hair flowing with my movement. It landed in my eyes, and when I brushed it out of the way, I saw a brown haired boy sitting next to me. He was trying to contain his smirk, it was obvious. He was staring at his screen while opening the internet tab, and I looked at my computer as well. The last thing we needed was for people to think that we were talking and tell Ronnie.

        "Are you stalking me, Dawson?" I asked in a low voice, noticing the freshman to my left get up and leave. I let out a sigh, happy that we could subtly speak toether. The screen in front of me was still barely typed up, and I was just typing random words at this point. Rian was searching the internet, bringing up his bands' MySpace page briefly, looking through the comments.

        "I prefer the word infatuated, much less creepy," he teased, typing something on his keyboard. I rolled my eyes at him, giggling to myself. Relief washed over my body, happy to know that he wasn't angry with me for what happened with Charlotte on Friday. We didn't even make eye contact in English, let alone talk. So, I was happy to see he was just the same as before.

        "I'm really sorry for what -- uh, happened this weekend," I murmured quietly, biting my cheek. My palms were sweating on the mouse as I clicked on my own internet tab and went to Google. I was hoping to distract myself by looking at some music.

        "I told you it wasn't a huge deal," he chuckled lightly, and my God, I loved the sound of his laugh. It was raspy, right from his throat. His voice was so calming, something that was new to me. "I just hope I didn't get you in too much trouble."

        I laughed once, shaking my head in response. I crossed my ankles, skinny jeans rubbing together. "Not too much. She's promising not to tell anyone," I whispered, noticing that Mr. King's class must have left, considering how quiet it had gotten.

        "She seems like a good friend," He answered back honestly. I grinned to myself, shrugging once before responding softly.

        "She is, sometimes she's the best friend I've ever had."

       "What about Veronica?" I could hear the amusement in Rian's voice. I know all of the hell I gave him about things Veronica does that make me mad on Friday. I normally don't have too much to say about people, but with Rian, he just made it easy to tell him how I felt. He wasn't judging me, or reporting back to anyone the way that some of the girls do. It was just him, on the outside of it all. He made it so easy to express myself.

        I was still slightly surprised, gaping at my screen. I pulled my foot away from the other, reaching under the shadowed computer desk and kicking him so lightly I'm sure he didn't feel it. "Don't poke fun at my problems, Robert."

        Rian cringed at his real first name, and I knew he regretted telling me about it. I nearly had to beg it out of him, and he finally gave in after ten minutes of me pleading. He was really going to feel sorry for it.

        "Truce," He sighed, shaking away the name like a bad feeling. I giggled once again, leaning away from his side and onto my left elbow. I covered my mouth, glancing at him for a second before looking back at my screen.

        "Did you follow me here for a reason?" I asked curiously, unsure ofwhat he was doing. He had opened up two internet tabs, for his bands pages, and for a document that he hadn't even written on yet. He obviously didn't come here to get anything done.

        He thought about it for a moment, an easy silence between us. I didn't mind, letting my mind wander back tot he stupid project I had to get done.

        "Well, I saw you walk out of lunch. I figured you wantedsomeone to complain to about Nolan and his loud-ass laugh," He was so serious with that statement, and I couldn't help but stifle a giggle.

        "You noticed that too?" I grinned, mumbling quietly. He nodded eagerly, and it made my headache less of an issue. My stomach hurt a litttle less, and my heart stopped aching.

        "How in the hell did you put up with that?" he asked in a low voice, noticing a pair of sophomore boys pass behind us. The library was close to empty now, kids returning to their classrooms or going to lunch.

        "Not sure," I breathed out, still smiling stupidly at the comptuer screen, like it was the one making me do it. I didn't understand why I was so giddy in the first place. Maybe it was just Rian's vibe. It made me feel better.

        "I did follow you here for a reason, though." He finally said, looking at me briefly before looking back at his screen. I could see him from my peripherals as he swayed his seat from side to side. "I wanted to see if you wanted to come to our band practice, Thursday night."

        I thought about it for a moment, unsure of what to do. Who's to say that Veronica won't call me like she does on Thursday's to talk about everything wrong in her life? But the sound of Rian's voice and how genuine the invitation was. I wanted to bite my tongue from responding 'no.'

        "I don't know..." I mumbled, wishing that I could just tell him yes, I'd love to. "Veronica might get suspicious..." I kept trailing off, still not sure of what to say.

        Rian rolled his eyes, unfazed by the comment. "It'll be for two hours, she won't even know you're not home." He paused again, almost taking back his comment by speaking sofer. "It'll be way more fun than you think. I promise."

        I looked at Rian, eyes not turning away from him this time. I sighed, watching his face as he turned to me. His brown eyes bore into mine, giving me a crooked smile as he met my gaze. I bit the inside of my lip, fingers itching. I didn't want to say no, not one bit.

        "Fine," I smiled lightly, turning back to the screen, pretending that we were only strangers once again. I couldn't help but notice the way Rian wore his expression just like mine for the rest of lunch hour.