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She let out a relieved sigh as she placed the heavy books into the locker, allowing her arms the rest they so duly deserved. A rest that would last a while seeing as it was spring break and Savannah couldn't help but feel excitement at getting time to relax. She wouldn't dare to mention that her excitement was mainly due to a certain grey-eyed man.

Justin.

She had heard of him many a time during her school years; who hadn't? Him, along with Danny and Aaron were practically god-sent with those looks; Justin in particular. Like a fallen angel, he was an untouchable, intimidating presence she would have never thought she'd encounter. He didn't seem the type to even want to make any unnecessary interactions and, so, she had never dared to cross his path. However, fate had an odd way of working and, now, he was a part of her life in ways she never thought were possible.

"Savannah." The deep voice sounded behind her and it sent shivers up her spine as she turned to gaze into the icy grey of his eyes. He stopped when he was a mere few inches away from her and she couldn't help it as she sucked in a breath, looking at his tall form.

"Justin, where have you been? You didn't turn up to Chemistry." Her voice came out steady despite the nerves and Justin nodded, his midnight hair moving with the action.

"I'm looking for Alexis, she wasn't in her last period." He answered and Savannah's eyebrows furrowed in concern as she shut the locker door softly.

"She might be with Aaron." She reasoned in the hope that it was just that and Justin looked to be deep in thought as he spared a glance around the corridor.

"She's not; Aaron didn't come in today. Alexis seemed to be off today as well." His voice was devoid of emotion, but Savannah knew that wasn't actually the case. In the little time she had gotten to know Justin, he had surprised her with the extent of care he had towards his friends, even Alexis who he had just gotten close to. She only wished that she too would be someone he would become this concerned over.

"Maybe she's not feeling well and went home?" Savannah reasoned yet again and Justin let out a tired sigh, nodding concedingly.

"I'll go check in with her then." He said and she opened her mouth to agree, but then he turned to her, his piercing gaze shocking her.

"Are you going home now?" Was his question and she nodded, despite her dazed state.

"I've got to get home before my private tutor arrives." She answered, hands clenched by her side at his sudden question. She knew that her parents would go ballistic if she came late, but a small part of her hoped that Justin was asking so he could spend time with her. She knew, without hesitation, that she would disobey her parents if it meant being in his presence and it scared her completely. It scared her that, in such a short amount of time, he had gotten such a strong hold over her. Her hopes were dashed then, however, when he nodded at her words, making her dampen but his next words only made her tense.

"Okay, let's go, I'll drop you off." He simply said and her eyes widened instinctively as she shook her head rapidly. He only watched her intently.

"N-no you can't! I mean, my dad would kill me if he saw witb a boy!" She urged out, lurching forward and Justin raised an eyebrow at her sudden outburst, making her cheeks redden as she recoiled back. Even now, his gaze intimidated her to such a strong extent that it muddled her senses. It was a moment of silence before the corner of his lips quirked up slightly. But only slightly.

"I'll walk you to one street away from your house. How's that?" He asked in response to her worries, his voice a deep drawl and Savannah could only nod amidst her embarrassment as they made their way to the front of the school, their steps in stride. She knew that his longs could allow him to take much larger strides, but the fact that he was walking along with her pace made her smile. Even more so, when he opened the door, instinctively letting her pass through first.

"Which way?" He asked as they exited the gate, not even sparing a glance to all the girls looking his way. Much to her relief, they only ogled him from a distance and Savannah knew it had something to do with the cold look on his face. It was a look that warded off any unwarranted interactions and he spared her a pointed glance, his entire focus on her.

"Where do you live?" He spoke again when she hadn't and she was pulled out her reverie, clearing her throat abruptly.

"Columbus." She answered softly and he nodded at this, guiding them to a right towards the direction of the address she had given. She found it enticing how he was even good with directions. Was there truly no imperfection with this man?

"You live very close." Justin merely commented in response and she nodded with a smile.

"It means I can sleep in a bit before school." She added jovially, listing the perk of living 5 minutes away but now- when getting this chance to be in his presence for longer- it seemed like a curse.

"Wait." Justin spoke, arm extending in front of her and she watched as the car passed from where they stood at the edge of the pavement, waiting to cross. He was stood so close that she could smell his scent- a mixture of cologne and fresh laundry, the very scent making her insides warm. Yet, before she could revel in the scent, he dropped his arm, guiding them across the road. It bought her back to her senses and she shook her head to focus as she pointed meekly to the dog park in front of them.

"I usually shortcut through here, it's much quicker." She spoke and his eyebrows drew together softly as he scanned the park.

"Don't do that alone. It could be dangerous." He admonished before looking to her with his steely eyes and she couldn't help but smile at his words.

"Well, we can right now. Don't I have you to take care of me?" She teased tentatively, making him tense at her words and he looked away, turning forward. She didn't miss the way his jaw ticked slightly.

"This way." He didn't respond to her question, but him entering the threshold of the park was amswer enough. The grass crunching under their shoes was the only sound for a while besides the sound of her pattering heart. She feared he'd hear it too due to the loudness, so she spoke then to drown it out.

"Aaron’s usual spring break party will be tomorrow; will I finally get to see you dance?" She teased to change the subject and Justin merely shook his head.

"I don't like dancing." Was his blunt answer and Savannah opened her mouth to argue but the sight of her Father walking in their direction, holding the leash of their family dog made her panic and she couldn't help it as she instinctively grabbed hold of Justin by his shirt, pulling him down into the nearby bushes with her.

She let out a small squeal as they toppled down, her eyes closing to brace for the fall, but Justin reacted before that, turning them around swiftly, so she was on top.

Savannah let out a sound as she landed against hard warmth, her hands clenched around soft material. There was a moment of silence before she hesitantly opened her eyes, her body tensing as she looked to the sight below her.

Justin lay beneath her, silver eyes staring into hers and sturdy arms around her waist. His body tensed as her hands clenched tighter around his top material, but he composed himself, looking out from behind the bush.

"He's gone." He spoke, already knowing why she had done what she had done and Savannah felt a shiver down her spine as his deep voice vibrated through her very being. She couldn't even focus on his words as she looked at him now at a proximity she could only dream of. He hadn't ever gotten this close to her and she stared at awe at the man in front of her. She could tell he noticed her stare but only watched her intently, leaning up slightly on his elbows, eyes searing into hers. The very action made his hair tickle at his eyes and Savannah sucked in a breath.

Never in her life had she seen a man as beautiful as Justin; never one as perfect. There was no flaw; no red flag; no imperfection that singled him out. He was, in every way, a work of art.

A work from art, from the shine of sun in his soft hair to the icy grey of his eyes. Even the gentle slope of his lips when he would smile slightly was perfect. He rarely smiled but,whe he did, it was the most ethereal sight.

"You're so beautiful." She murmured gently, so lost in the sight that was him and his jaw clenched at this as he raised a free hand, brushing her hair out of her face with a whisper-like caress. It sent another set of shivers down her spine.

"Is that so?" His deep voice rumbled absent-mindedly as he focused on her hair. She knew the question was just a rhetoric; it's not that he didn't think himself to be good looking, it was just that he didn't care to think of his appearance.

And, there was that intoxicating smell again when she sniffed- his familiar cologne and the smell of fresh laundry, muddling her senses. She couldn't help it as she tightened her hold on his clothes and he stiffened at this for a moment before leaning up further on his elbows. Her heart skipped a beat when the hand against her hair cupped her face and then he was within centimeters of her. She couldn't help but lean in further towards him, the sound of birds chirping muffled in the distance.

Yet before her lips could touch against him, he stopped and she felt the worry fill her as he withdrew slightly. Had she done something wrong?

"You have to be sure; don't let me if you'll regret it later." His words were still blunt despite the gentle tone and she processed his words for a moment, her heart still racing at their proximity as well as the heat emanating from his form.

She knew why he had said what he did; she was deeply religious as was her family. Justin, on the other hand, was not, meaning his views on physical contact were vastly different from hers. She had never hugged anyone, never mind kissing anyone.

Justin had respected this and, if he minded, he didn't show it. Rather, he had put a decent distance between them at all times. It should have made her happy but, instead, it infuriated her. It angered her that she was on her last thread of control when he was near whereas he was as stoic as ever.

A master of his emotions, that's what he was and she could only wish that she'd be able to uncover all the facets of his being- what excited him, what angered him, she wanted to know it all. It was a need so insatiable that she couldn't help it as she leaned forward, her forehead touching gently against his. His eyes scanned her at this, making her heart patter at his scrutinising gaze, feeling suddenly self-conscious. Nevertheless, she fought against the nerves.

"I'm sure." Were the only words she could manage when being so close to his lips and he stilled at this, face blank. It was only for a moment then his eyebrows drew together slightly.

"If you're sure then be with me, Savannah. " His blunt words sliced through her and she tensed, withdrawing slightly to look at him properly; to take in his beauty properly.

"W-what?" She whispered, hoping she didn't hear wrong and Justin didn't even bat an eyelid as he spoke again.

"Be my girlfriend." He answered without hesitation or fear and Savannah found his honesty refreshing. She felt the happiness bloom in her as she thought about his words. How was it possible that he was the one that wanted her? She ignored the doubts in her head, feeling happy but raised an eyebrow jokingly at this words.

"Why? Do you not kiss someone whose not your girlfriend?" She asked shyly, blushing at her own words and it was then that Justin's eyes flashed with something unreadable and he looked to the side for a moment.

"I did once." Was his honest answer, but he was turning back to her before she could question him on it, awaiting her answer.

At that moment, she felt incredibly lucky to have even an ounce of his attention. She must have done a really good deed if she was rewarded with such a gift- one that was too out of her league. Still, she wouldn't give it up for anyone and she found herself nodding shyly.

His lips quirked up at this slightly. But only slightly and it was then that his hand, that was cupping her face, entwined into her hair, pulling her in swiftly. Her lips met the gentle heat that was Justin and she all but melted into him and his alluring scent. His lips moved so expertly in a way that shocked her. She had never seen him with girls, but he knew exactly what he was doing right now.

Her hands tightened around the material of his top as his hand massaged her scalp. He tilted his face deepening the kiss and Savannah felt her sanity slipping away from her. He had consumed every fibre of her being now and she knew with one kiss from his lips that she could never live without him. She could never tire of this feeling with him.

She just hoped he'd feel the same.

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"Justin." I said simply, acknowledging him with a smile and he drew back before looking at me with his cool grey gaze.

"I heard you and Aaron went to a check up a week ago." He said bluntly, his face blank, but by now I could read his emotions. The concern was evident in his tone.

I smiled, shaking my head.

"No, I'm fine. I was unwell, so Aaron got really worried. Nothing was wrong. I'm all clear." I explained and he nodded his head, his gaze looking off into the distance. I tutted before touching his hand and he gazed at me at the sudden contact.

"Justin, I'm telling you I'm fine. Trust me." I consoled to which Justin looked back into the distance, his stance rigid. I knew what it was. After my operation, the doctor had said there was a risk that I would reject the bone marrow and I have been going to check ups since. Over the last few years, I had been going less frequently, but in this past month, the boys were worrying more because I had gotten sick.