Matthew

I woke up one Monday morning, sleep and regrets pinching my eyes close with twice the force I used to keep them open. Groaning, I began rubbing the bags my eyes had accumulated. Then turning to look at my phone to see,

7:20

"Fuck me," I growled into the pillow before leaping out of bed. Though it felt so appropriate to just lay back down, especially after getting lost in the woods for god knows how many hours with James, I drug my feet to the bathroom.

Both my eyes were so close together that my eyelashes blurred what little vision I had, yet I could still tell I looked like ass. My eyes managed to get a months worth of sleep deprivation in one night, I had scruffy hair and sweat clinging onto my back.

With the little time I had, I managed to get in a 2 minute shower, a handful of breath mints and a mismatched outfit. It'll do is what I told the part of my brain knowing that insults where just waiting outside my door.

By the time I got to school, having only just missed a detention by the tips of my non-existent moustache hair. I was greeted by a

"You look like ass," from the only girl who I'd allow speak to me in such a degree. The girl who's Afro covered her lifted brows, and lips revealed the slight gap between her two front teeth.

I rolled my eyes, not because she was incorrect but rather I was defending my masculinity. The little that I had left every time I was in her alpha presence.

"Shut up," really that's all I had. No you look like ass too, I really had nothing.

James began "It's not that bad, I think he pulls it off-"

"Thank y-" I replied allowing my hopes to stretch way too far. As for that millisecond I forgot who I was talking to.

" if you squint then turn around. See" he said demonstrating his point. By the end laughing with his back facing us.

Faye joined in, whilst he slowly turned back around to face us. By the time he had, I wanted so badly to keep my nonchalant face on but with him I never could.

How his eyes creases each time he smiled or laughed, how is blonde curls bounced slightly as he took in a feeble gasp. A gasp through those rosy lips of his.

"Are you done, because I'm going to class," I began walking as soon as the last letter drifted into the air filled with axe 'the shower in a can' and obnoxious amounts of perfume.

I had gotten about three or so feet to hear cries of two significantly shorter people. Until the fast one caught up, the other loosing the will to live as they coughed and spluttered the remnants of their not so funny joke.

After a minute or so of getting lectured by Faye, the long awaited bell rang. Whether it be pure bliss or my nose finally becoming immune to the daunting smell of school, the air was fresher almost sweet.

Until I realised I had class with the two fools, the axe dark temptation body spray once more filled my nostrils. Overpowering them with what was supposed to be chocolate and some sort of pepper.

"Class, CLASS. If you don't quiet down it's after school detention for all of you."

A pin could drop and it would sound like a bulldozer.

" That's what I thought," Mr Jackson continued, " so for your homework you'll be researching the renown play The Crucible by the play write Arthur Miller. Since you guys are a mixed class 10th graders partner with an 11th."

A unanimous groan was admitted throughout the room until they lost capacity in their lungs to be irritated.

"Are you finished, because you can groan after school in detention," snickers were let off by people who's minds needed to be cleansed. That of course included me " want to make 2 hours ?"

He paused once more with his arms crossed on his chest, as he stared with troubling eyes " You've got two weeks to complete the task. If not you'll get a 3 hours of detention in which you do the assignment and write letters detailing why you didn't complete it on time."

With that class was over and we were left to our own devises, so I pretty much snatched James before Faye could because I really didn't feel like looking for another partner. Of course this came with many objections on both sides such as "put me down", but they were unimportant as i eventually got my wish.

" I need to get to class can you let me down now, you've made your point," James said squirming in my arms as I held him bridal style just in front of class. After waiting until I was sure that Faye wasn't hiding behind a locker or something, I let go of him.

"You good," for once I was being sincere and it was met with a disheartening eye roll " so do you want me to go to yours tonight."

"Sure meet me at my car, you know what it looks like." I nodded then waved him off before leaving in the opposite direction.

The day finished swiftly, I wasn't paying too much attention. It ended and I was practically forced down the hallway, getting pulled and pushed by the plethora of teenagers.

My feet led me to the car of his, it was quite beautiful especially for a second hand one. He was waving profusely in order to get my attention over the thousand of buses and cars leaving the parking lot.

Once I managed my into the passenger seat he drove off, into the setting sun. My eyes quickly wondered to the window, watching the beautiful scenery pass me by. Then I turned my head, my stupid idiotic head.

I saw so much allure in him, as his blonde locks scintillated in the beams of light touching them.

I was oddly lured by them, but more so by his incarnadine lips. They looked soft as velvet, teasing me slightly. Making me desire and wonder as I stared more intensely at them.

"Are you okay," an awkward smile protruded onto his illuminating skin.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied in what could only be known as a gasp. A gasp of sweet longing, but he was blissfully unaware.

He was unaware as I shifted my face from his burning glance, not once making eye contact even when we left the car. He was unaware as I rushed into his house with crimson tickling my ears.

"Hey sweetie, I didn't know you where coming over," his mother said as she began walking over to us, before wrapping me in her embrace. The embrace that felt almost motherly, as I had become so used to it after receiving one almost every Sunday for the last decade and a half.

" Oh we've got a project," I smiled still making sure to not look in his direction.

"That's fine, I'll be downstairs if you need anything." I smiled at her before bucking it up the stairs. My back stinging from the intense stare of the blonde boy.

By the time I reached his room, slumping into the chair at his table. My bottom lip bruising between my tongue and my upper teeth, questions lingering in my mind.

"Are you okay," he said his arm hesitantly touching my shoulder. I nodded knowing damn well I didn't know the answer to that question.

"Let's just start, okay." I stated in a quiet irritated voice.