everydayanewpage

[everydayanewpage]

If you’ve been following along, thank you—it really means a lot.

If you’re new, you can start reading from → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 18 of 18

As we part, for some reason, I try to see Gavin differently. He was handsome, smart, and for the most part, kind, when he tries to be. Why couldn't I just like him?

"Goodnight..." I mumble turning the doorknob, but he pulls me back, kissing me again. This time I manage to kiss back, as nice as it feels, there was just...something missing. 

"Goodnight." He echoes.  

I run inside, desperate to get away before he can kiss me again.

"How was your night?" 

I jump, Kade’s in the sitting room, looking up at me over a book in his hands. He must be waiting up for me. His attempt at paternal support makes me smile. "Good, I was just going to bed, it’s late."

"Goodnight." Kade says with a wink. Yep, really rooting for Gavin. 

I wash up and get ready for bed, satisfied that I made it through my first date and first kiss, shaken, but alive. I resolve to call Lilith tomorrow.

I climb into bed, wondering how long I have to pretend I have feelings for Gavin before I actually do… that’s probably how it works… How could a girl who never had a boyfriend be so picky? Yet, it all pleased Gavin, so it’s probably best if I just go along with it and let myself catch up later.

Chapter Discussions now on Patreon.

[everydayanewpage]

If you’ve been following along, thank you—it really means a lot.

If you’re new, you can start reading from → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 17 of 18

“Actually, I haven’t seen anyone in a long time, so no, there isn’t.” he says, smiling warmly and though I don’t really believe him, it is nice to see him so happy when most of the time he’s closed off and cold.

“Tell me about your childhood, before you lived with Kade…”

“I think that’s something we would both like to keep private Gemma.” He says sharply and I half shrug, feeling a bit stung as he turns down my questions again. 

“Yea, you’re right…” 

“I wish I could travel more.” He says suddenly. “That train ride I took to meet up with you was the first time I’d been out of Connecticut in a few months.” 

“Where else have you been?” I sigh and let him steer the conversation away from my personal digging. 

“A few places throughout the US, mostly just New England, Canada… nowhere special, yet…That R8 doesn’t have the best fuel economy, you know.” 

I nod, smiling, and we spend the rest of dinner discussing cars, one thing I never imagined I’d take interest in, but soon becoming a passion shared by Gavin and Kade alike. 

 Gavin was extremely polite, as he always is, opening doors and telling me how nice I looked. As I calm down and relax, I let myself take it all in, reveling in the fact that I had someone who actually cared about me. Maybe I just wasn't letting myself fall for Gavin. I guess I wouldn't know what liking someone would feel like, even if I felt it.

"Well, I hope you had a good time." Gavin says quietly as he walks me to Kade’s front door two hours later. He pauses and I stop, just before letting myself in. I was glad he was doing this properly, a real first date. 

"I really did, Gavin," and it wasn't entirely a lie… 

Before I can say goodnight, he’s kissing me. I expected a peck on the cheek if anything, but not this. He was kissing me so passionately that I didn't know what to do, but just stand there and let him have me. Instantly, I sober up. My first kiss. Never did I even let myself think about this moment, never expecting anyone to want to kiss me. 

[everydayanewpage]

If you’ve been following along, thank you—it really means a lot.

If you’re new, you can start reading from → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 16 of 18

Gavin sighs. “I occasionally complete small jobs for him, but mostly I’m fortunate enough not to need a full time job, Kade helps me stay financially well off by orchestrating all my investments...” 

“So what do you do with your time?” 

Gavin looks at me oddly for a while before finally saying, “I like to read, currently I’ve been studying genetics.” 

“Oh! We’re studying that in school and Kade told me that my father was interested in genetic testing. Cool huh? Did you know him? I mean, beyond meeting him when I was younger.”

Gavin sighs, looking tense. “Yes, I knew him, very well actually, until he moved to England…but let’s talk about something else…”

I furrow my brow and purse my lips to the side, but Gavin shakes his head sternly. I open my mouth to speak, but our waiter appears again to drop off our dinner. I pick at it watching as Gavin eats his most elegantly. I can’t help but snicker at him.

He swallows and raises an eyebrow. 

“You’re just so proper…” I point out. 

“Thanks?” 

“And mysterious… you keep a lot to yourself.”

“I have to, Gemma.” He says suddenly stern again. 

I frown and cut up my dinner, clinking the knife on the plate noisily. I take a few bites of steak and broccoli and chew them moodily. I hardly taste them as the champagne bubbles in my head, numbing my senses. Gavin watches me bemused and I immediately feel self-conscious. 

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m doing…you know I’ve never been on a date before, this is just so foreign to me.” I ramble, blushing. 

“I find that hard to believe, you’re very pretty.” 

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I help myself to more champagne and roll my eyes at him, feeling a bit more comfortable and daring. “Surely there’s someone else you’d rather date…”

Read the full chapter now on Patreon.

[everydayanewpage]

If you’ve been following along, thank you—it really means a lot.

If you’re new, you can start reading from → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 15 of 18

The waiter returns again with our bottle and opens it for us, pouring me a generous serving. I thank him and he retreats again. 

"I really care about you, Gemma." Gavin repeats, trying to regain my focus, watching me closely. 

"That's...sweet." I reply lamely, wishing the champagne would nudge me to say something cleverer. I try to imagine what Lilith might do on a date, but I never thought to ask her. 

“I met you when you were a little girl, I don’t know if Kade’s told you this…” 

I raise an eyebrow and take a long gulp of champagne. “No.” 

“I uh, lived with Kade for a while and your father would bring you with him when he visited. You were only about three at the time. I think I was thirteen, but I just adored you.” 

After a few more sips I start to feel tipsy, the champagne ebbs away my anxiety, numbing my mind. “That’s weird.” I say boldly and Gavin smirks. 

“I guess that was a weird thing to say,” he agrees, blushing while taking a sip of champagne. I can’t help but laugh, I’ve never seen Gavin blush or act in any way that remotely resembled vulnerability. 

The other guests turn to stare at us, Gavin chuckles uncomfortably, and instantly I warm up to the idea of being on a date with him. This doesn’t have to be so awkward and difficult, perhaps I could even open this cool and collected man up. 

“What do you do for a living, besides human trafficking?” I lift my eyebrows, surveying him over my champagne. 

Gavin shakes his head exasperatedly. “You’re quite the comedian, Gemma. I work for Kade, you know that.”

“But what do you do exactly?”

[everydayanewpage]

If you’ve been following along, thank you—it really means a lot.

If you’re new, you can start reading from → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 14 of 18

I nod politely, biting my lip, looking around at all the other couples scattered around the restaurant. They all look content and pleased to be there with each other. Some glance at us and look away when I catch their eyes.  

Gavin orders two glasses of champagne when our waiter comes by. I’m taken aback when he doesn't ask me for my I.D., but I suppose it’s because of Gavin who looks rather intimidating in a dark grey blazer and a copper tie that matches his glasses.  

"I've been looking forward to taking you out for quite some time," Gavin says, trying to start conversation again after the waiter disappears. "You look so beautiful, Gemma." 

I smile at him, feeling a bit warm, uneasy, and not at all sure of how to respond. I’ve never received so many compliments before. I busy myself with the menu, but none of the words come into focus with Gavin watching me so intently. 

"I know we’ve only known each other for a short amount of time, but I like you, Gemma. I’ve never really cared for anyone as much as I seem to for you.”

My eyes widen. Was he serious? “ Wow, er… Gavin-" Where is this coming from? 

"I know the age difference is concerning, but I hope you can look past that..." 

The waiter returns with our champagne, I take it from his hands rather roughly and sip it quickly. He and Gavin both stare openly at me, but I don’t care, I’m too nervous to care. 

Gavin orders two filet mignons as I drain my glass. He laughs quietly, nervously and orders a whole bottle of champagne too. 

I was completely caught off guard, he actually likes me, and taking me out on a date wasn’t done out of pity for a poor girl who’d never been, like I had assumed. But, I could think of nothing to say, all the while wondering why I just couldn't tell him I didn't feel the same way. Yet, I think I like him as a friend, and if I told him this, it might ruin our friendship and make things weirder between us. And I’m not sure I want that. 

[everydayanewpage]

If you’ve been following along, thank you—it really means a lot.

If you’re new, you can start reading from → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 13 of 18

“I agree with you there, good luck…” She says good-bye and hangs up. 

I settle on a simple dark green dress that Kade bought for me, a black cardigan, and a pair of heels Lilith gave to me when she found out I had none. I put on my arrow necklace for good measure. It will have to do. 

 I stumble to my bed and kiss Toby, “Please don’t let me make a fool of myself…” I beg him, but he simply meows as I pat him on the head.

Both Kade and Gavin wait at the bottom of the stairs, watching as I try not to fall down them. My grace leaves me even in the best of times and I grab the railing for dear life. 

"You look stunning," Kade whispers, glowing. I know he’s secretly been rooting for Gavin ever since I told him about the date. “Have a great night you two.” 

I blush as Gavin takes my hand and kisses it. He says nothing, walking me outside. I manage to wobble to the R8 without falling, my first triumph of the evening. He opens the car door for me respectfully and drives us in silence to an elegant looking restaurant tucked away in the Litchfield hills. 

I feel so anxious and timid, not at all sure what I’m supposed to say or do while Gavin remains quiet, lost in his own head, perhaps wondering why he asked out such an odd girl. Surely he’s regretting his decision by now. 

He smiles warmly at me however, as he helps me out of the very low Audi and up wide rock stairs embedded into the hill that the restaurant sits upon. 

"I have a reservation," he says politely to the pretty girl at reception, who eyes him appreciatively. "Mr. Burridge and Miss Greyson." 

She leads us into the rather intimate dining room. The lighting is dim and candles glow softly from each table on top of crisp white tablecloths. Once we’re shown to our table, Gavin pulls out my chair for me. I wrap my sweater tighter around myself and take my seat.

"I'm so glad you're here with me, Gemma, " he says finally, taking his seat across from me.

Read the full chapter now on Patreon.

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 12 of 18

“Oh my god, no that’s totally hot.”

“I don’t know…but I’ve been thinking about cancelling...” We lean up against our cars, parked side by side, and she shakes her head deliberately. 

“Don’t be crazy, I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time.”

But my eyes slowly focus on Pilot walking towards the far end of the parking lot with the other two. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.” 

So come this Saturday, Gavin waits for me downstairs while I get ready. Lilith is on speakerphone, talking me through it. “This is so exciting! Is this your first date?” She asks warmly, plenty familiar with my lack of experience with boys, friends, life… 

“Uh…well, yes...” I reply, holding up a dress in front of myself as I stand in front of the mirror, making faces. 

“What’s your hair like?” 

“It’s in a ponytail…” I toss the dress aside and grab a different one. 

She gasps.

“I don’t have time to re-do it, he’s already here. I’m trying to pick out something to wear.” 

“What about your make-up?” She asks in a desperate voice. “Please tell me you did your make-up?”

“I’m just wearing some foundation and mascara.” I say in a forced calm voice, grabbing another dress. 

Lilith moans. “What about eye shadow and eye liner and contouring and blush and-“

“What?” 

“Oh my god, Gemma! Next time you need to give me a chance to help you…”

“Next time? I’m not ready for this time!”

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 11 of 18

“It’s sinister,” I agree. “The lab was fun, but why does she have to ruin that with this assignment?” 

Lilith sighs, “I don’t know how anyone could think gene expression is fun… You need to get out more Gemma.” She jests and together we leave school where she too, notices Pilot watching me in the distance. She glances from him to me raising an eyebrow and I shrug, rolling my eyes. 

“He’s been doing that all week…” I mumble.

“Is that so?” she says, her eyes widening. 

“Maybe I should stay after school from now on...finish my homework in the library…”

“Oh Gemma, anyone else would enjoy the attention.”

“Right, I’m the weird one.”

The sun peaks through a break in the clouds and I feel Lilith’s happiness do the same. “Hey, you should come by this weekend and we can finish the report and then go shopping!” She says as we draw level with Pilot. 

“I can’t, I have a date…” I mumble, looking skyward, feeling his and Lilith’s eyes on me.

Lilith gasps audibly and I nudge her in the ribs. 

“It’s not that big of deal…” I scowl at her, feeling my cheeks redden. 

“With who?” She demands and then she grins wickedly, pointing over her shoulder at Pilot who glares at us suspiciously. 

“No!” I hiss. “With this guy named Gavin… he doesn’t go here.”

“Older man?”

“I guess, I think he’s like twenty-eight…wait, is that weird?” 

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 10 of 18

“Fine.“ I blurt out blushing. “I mean, nothing!” I trip as I run upstairs to my room, hardly believing what just happened…I never thought of Gavin as anything other than a…is he a friend? An unwilling one, maybe, even in the best of times, why on earth would he possibly want to date me? Me…there have got to be better options out there. Gavin's, well, unnaturally handsome, mature, sophisticated, and I’m… I’m just a mess. 

I’m changed and about to fall asleep when I’ve realized we’ve both forgotten my books in the car. 

The weather improves slightly the next day, to the point where the clouds just hang low, threatening and dark. The humidity leaves everyone at school in a dazed and sluggish state, myself included. Thankfully, however, I can’t manage to focus on anything besides schoolwork. 

When I leave school that day, I immediately spot Pilot standing by the rock wall that parallels the parking lot, probably waiting for Nicola and that younger boy. I haven’t seen him since before the stormy days, since the day we met... 

I stare at him as I get closer, but when his eyes meet mine, I hastily look away. I hold my breath, but he doesn’t say anything as I draw level and pass him on the way to my car. Yet, out of the corner of my eye I can see his eyes following me. 

I finally exhale when I reach my car and look back to see him watching me over the shoulders of his friends. I smile weakly, but he doesn’t acknowledge that he even notices me. I sigh and climb into my 8C and drive away. For the first time, I toy with the idea of calling Gavin and cancelling our plans. 

After school on Friday, a melancholy Lilith follows me to my locker, her mood very affected by the weather and lack of sun. 

“Ugh, can you believe we have to write a five-page lab report for biology?” she mumbles, slamming her shoulder into the locker next to mine. Charlie, the boy that owns that locker comes up a second later, his arms filled with books and papers. He facetiously glares at her until she moves. 

Read the full chapter now on Patreon.

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 9 of 18

Gavin takes me to the bookstore one cold night after it had been raining all week. Tonight it’s worse, downpours with erratic breaks that can’t be timed correctly. We’re just about to leave when Gavin stops me with the pretense of grabbing my shopping bag full of new books that I can’t wait to get lost in to tune out this horrible weather while waiting for sunshine. 

“Here, allow me,” he says and I pass it to him, wrapping my jacket closer around me. “Did I tell you how pretty you are tonight?” He asks suddenly.

I scoff at him and pause. “What do you mean?” I ask suspiciously. My hair isn’t exactly tame after a long day of school and the humidity was never my friend, to top it all, my outfit is mismatched because I’ve forgotten to do laundry. 

“Will you have dinner with me this weekend?” 

His request is so formal, so unexpected that I just gawk at him for a few moments. We’ve never made official plans for dinner before. Typically, Kade just orders take out for us, and we all eat together. Gavin raises his eyebrows to prompt my response.

“Uh…I guess. I’ll ask Kade…I think it’s his turn to pick a place.” 

He shakes his head and smiles looking exasperated. “I mean just the two of us, Gemma. I’d like to take you out on a date.”

"I-I um...w-well…Yes?" I stutter, though not entirely sure I mean it, still feeling rather confused and caught off guard. How can he be so forward? 

Gavin smirks and holds open the passenger door for me, just as it starts to rain harder. He’s drenched in seconds as he places my books in the trunk and scrambles in. He drives me home silently, smiling to himself, but I avoid his gaze, caught up in this new awkward feeling.  

The rain refuses to let up so Gavin pulls up as close as he can to the house. “Well goodnight…” he calls as I run from his car.

“Night!” I cry back, nearly crashing into the front door. I struggle with the doorknob as Gavin idles watching me, making my thoughts tangle, muddling together and it becomes difficult to execute simple tasks, like opening a door… Kade lets me in a second later. 

“What’s up, Gemma?” He asks, smirking and he waves to Gavin as he drives away. 

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 8 of 18

“Poor souls.” Kade says off handedly, flipping back to the car show where one of the hosts is conducting a drag race between two different Ferrari models. 

“What’s happening there?” I ask. Somehow I feel I should know…have I heard about Nasua before? No, that’s definitely not a town around here. 

“Nothing good, there’s some odd behavior from the wild animals down there and they’ve been attacking the locals when they used to evade human contact, but no need to worry, I’m sure they can get it under control soon. But, it’s getting late, Gemma and you can’t evade school tomorrow…” 

I snort at his forced humour but obediently run up to bed. 

As predicted, work picks up for Kade who’s forced to spend long hours out with clients, at meetings, or locked in his office. Yet, he tries to make as much time as he can to spend with me, for which I’m very grateful, but each time it’s more limited.

In the meantime, Gavin meets me at Kade’s almost every day when I get home from school; this becomes a regular routine; he helps me with my homework and then we go for a ride in his car or mine, or spend the evening listening to music in my room. Kade never seems to mind if Gavin keeps me out late or if he stays long. 

Slowly, but increasingly, I begin to enjoy Gavin's company and though he’s still a bit brash and distant, he never snaps at me again. He’s becoming a familiar presence, someone I can count on, even though he’s reluctant to share much about himself, and if I pry too much I’m worried I’ll press the wrong button, but soon I have a feeling that I could break through even that, his behavior constant and predictable. 

At least I thought it was… 

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 7 of 18

That evening, I find Kade downstairs assembling something in the living room, the TV on in the background turned to a British show about cars. Toby is at his feet, sitting sphinxlike, with his focus on Kade alone. 

“Hey Kade,” I say getting his attention, deciding on the spot to keep my eavesdropping from earlier to myself for now. 

“Oh Gemma! Come see what I found!” He holds up what he’s working on, it’s an automatic cat food dispenser. “I have a lot of assignments already this fall, and so I might be out of the house for a few nights in a row. I didn’t want you to stress about ruining your plans to come home and feed Toby. See, you set times and it releases a premeasured amount of food at that time.” 

“Oh…wow...” I say taken aback, ruin my plans?

“It’s already a hit,” Kade nods at Toby who meows one long loud note. “Perhaps if we set small portions he’ll lose some weight.”

Toby tips over in frustration, but remains still in an awkward position watching closely as Kade fills the food dispenser with weight control kitty kibble. 

“That’s fantastic, but I wonder if his weight loss program will back fire if he just lays in front of it all day waiting for it to distribute his meals.” 

“Hmmm… that may be a problem.” Kade chuckles as I take the cat food apparatus from him and set it up in the kitchen, Toby hot on my heels. As predicted, he sits in front of it like it’s a shrine and begins his vigil. I pat his head and giggle, but it’s as if I don’t exist. 

When I return to the living room, Kade’s flipping through channels, settling on the evening news, I’m about to just go to bed when Kade mumbles darkly to the TV; “That’s still going on? Honestly…”

Looking up I see a grim reporter, dressed smartly in a dark navy pants suit with perfectly practiced TV concern. She goes on, “these threats continue to force the locals of Nasua to remain indoors after dark. Police officials are still on the hunt for these ferocious beasts that continue to elude them with near human cunning. There are no new updates. Back to you-”

Read the full chapter now on Patreon.

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 6 of 18

I crash onto the bed and Toby cuddles up next to me, licking my hand with his sharp tongue, probably tasting cracker molecules left behind. I pet him, wondering what she could have possibly wanted, and why Kade wasn’t going to let her speak to me. I guess the latter is obvious, which makes me wonder how I feel about Kade sheltering me. 

My mind rattles for an hour as Toby snores loudly from my side, his weight pressing uncomfortably into me, but it’s as if I can’t move. 

Moments later Gavin knocks on my door that I’d left ajar and lets himself in. “What’s wrong Gemma?” he asks quickly when he first notices my face. 

“Nothing,” I say sharply wiping my eyes. “Just an off day.”

“Oh that’s too bad,” he says distractedly and I shake my head in derision. “Why don’t you get cleaned up and we’ll go catch a movie with Kade.” He settles on my bed patting Toby who wakes, stretches, and leaps down to the floor with a loud thud. We watch as he waddles out of my room.

I clench my jaw, “I’m just not in the mood tonight Gavin.” 

“I’d like to make up for what I said the other day-“

“No!” I snap. Gavin looks hurt and crestfallen. “I’m sorry, I just don’t feel up to it…” Vaguely, I remember that I vowed to try.  “And I’m over it, Gavin.” I add blithely.

Gavin bows his head and I find myself trying to comfort him even though I’m the one who had the bad day. 

“Maybe another night then…” He rises and leaves seemingly preoccupied. 

I gape after him and shake my head. I get up and fish my homework out of my book bag, but I can’t focus… What’s with everyone today?

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 5 of 18

"Bye, Jenna." Nicola hisses. 

I summon some courage to glare at her before I walk away. I stumble a bit and hear Nicola snicker, but I refuse to look back, feeling my face redden. Someone else joins them and just before I was out of earshot, I hear them say,  "oh is that her?” 

"No, let's go," Pilot snaps. 

I feel humiliated. I was sure I knew Pilot from somewhere... I want to know him, but it was clear that he shared no interest in return. I should probably just forget it. 

I wander the parking lot for five minutes before I remember that I walked to school today, and begin a miserable trek back to Kade’s. The clouds thicken above, and I pray that it doesn’t start to rain yet. 

Eventually I make it home, thankfully dry, and stumble into the kitchen to make a snack.  A few minutes pass before I notice Toby’s absence. Toby’s favorite time of the day is snack time, and it’s unlike him to not be at my feet howling for scraps. I grab some crackers and pad around the house looking for him. 

Soon enough, I find him meowing softly, scratching at Kade’s office door. I grab him and lift him away, about to turn back down the hall when Kade’s voice sounds from within, loud and angry. He must be on the phone… I’ve never heard him angry before, and the sound makes me freeze on the spot. 

“You have no right.” I hear him yell. “I don’t think that would be best for Gemma-“ There’s a long pause. “No, Ms. Greyson, no.”

I gasp and press my ear to the door, feeling horrible for eavesdropping, but… is he talking to my mother?

“She’s- No. You broke that girl.” His voice becomes louder still and I cringe. “You’ve crushed her, broken her. You have no right, no claim to her-“ 

I hear the phone slam in the receiver and I scramble away just incase Kade decides to leave his office, wondering what I just overheard. As I climb the stairs, breathing heavily carrying Toby’s dead weight, a cold settles inside of me, eerie and odd, as if a ghost had called rather than my mother. 

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 4 of 18

He shakes his head. "You must have me mistaken for someone else,” he says looking just over my shoulder.

All of a sudden, I was convinced it was him. Yet, he did seem younger than Patrick had been, but other than that I was certain the resemblance was there. Then again, I had met Patrick only once, for a few short hours...months ago, when I was hysterical… and my memory wasn’t to be trusted even in the best of times. 

"Are you waiting for someone?" I wonder, feeling the need to talk to him, as I sink into the pavement, my whole body going limp and heavy. 

He flashes sea blue eyes to mine and the pull to him is so strong, though there’s no obvious reason for it. "Yes, um, here she comes now." I follow his gaze and look over my shoulder; my heart sinks and pulls apart as Nicola saunters towards us. 

"Um, Nicola, this is…" he says uncomfortably.

"Gemma." I say lamely, my name never sounding so strange… and Nicola defiantly already knew who I was after our dismal encounter in the lunchroom. 

"Whatever...let's go. I'm tired," she complains, contorting her pretty face into a pout. The sunlight flashes in her eyes, making her irises look more red than brown as she stands with her arms crossed, staring me down. 

He however, ignores her and turns to face me. "I'm Pilot… Pilot Dorset." He takes my hand in his, his stare now unwavering. My thoughts cloud over once again. 

"Ni-nice to m-meet you. " I stammer stupidly, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear nervously. 

Nicola begins to tap her foot impatiently. She glares at Pilot and nudges him. Suddenly, he seems to restart, his features shift abruptly cold and he lets go of my hand. He sits down on the rock wall behind him and folds his arms across his chest, not meeting my eyes, silently dismissing me. 

Read the full chapter now on Patreon.

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 3 of 18

“Actually, I’d like that.”

Lilith beams and plunges into a full-on account of all the shopping opportunities available in the tri-county area. 

We’re both late to English, but Mr. Murray says nothing as we take our seats and quickly open our books to catch up to the lecture, but my mind won’t focus as I take quick glances at Nicola who glares at me with an odd smile on her face all throughout class. 

I’ve dealt with mean girls before, but I’ve never had anyone actively dislike me as much as Nicola, and seemingly for no reason. I say good-bye to Lilith and run out of the classroom just as the bell rings. After, I dump my books in my locker feeling like this day couldn’t possibly get any worse.

I leave the school and glance skyward. There are a few clouds in the sky and they’re darker then I remember them being earlier, but at least the sun is still bright and warm. As I dig in my bag for my keys I collide with something solid, or rather someone solid. 

“Sorry,” I murmur stepping to the side with my head down, but a hand grabs my arm forcing me to stop and look up. 

The person I ran into stares down at me with a lopsided grin on his face, which is strikingly handsome. Slowly, my mind slips out of focus. 

“Are you alright?” he asks, his smile faltering. 

I start and nod stupidly, staring back unblinking. Somehow, he looks oddly familiar, but at the same time I don’t recognize him from the other seniors that I’ve met or seen around school. 

“You should watch where you’re going, especially in the parking lot, or you’re going to get hurt, which would be a shame because that’s a pretty face.” He mutters angrily as he turns his head to scan the parking lot. 

“Right.” I tug my arm from his hand feeling all out of sorts, but then something clicks in my foggy mind. "Patrick?" I ask hesitantly. I was sure it was him, but why would he be here of all places when I met him in Minnesota after all? 

[everydayanewpage]

This is a daily page from my ongoing young adult novel.

Just joining now? You can start from the beginning → here. 

Chapter 5 - Page 2 of 18

“I’m going to go try to talk to her…” I say before I’ve really thought it through. Maybe we did get off on the wrong foot somehow, no one can possibly inherently hate you, and there’s no way I’ve done anything to offend her already.

Lilith watches wide eyed with bated breath as I push my tray from me and march right up, next to Nicola. A small voice in the back of my head screams in protest, but I ignore it. This is the new Gemma, who wont shy away. 

“Hey…” I say nervously, feeling my face becoming hot. I try to smile good naturedly, but she hasn’t taken notice so I quickly think of something Lilith would say and stammer; “That’s s-such a pretty d-dress.” 

She turns slowly, her pretty eyes narrowed, but says nothing. 

“Umm... I’m Gemma, I don’t think I’ve said hi properly before, we sit next to each other in Eng-“

In one fast movement, Nicola brings her hand down on her bowl making it fall to the ground and shatter at my feet, lettuce flies everywhere, while dressing splashes my legs and shoes. 

A lunch lady advances moodily scolding me for making a mess and breaking dishes. She hands me a rag and tells me to clean it up. I feel everyone’s eyes on my back as I bend down to wipe the floor. When I look up, Nicola is gone and Lilith rushes over to help.

“What a bitch.” Lilith sneers in the bathroom a minute later trying to clean me up, my ankle bleeding where glass from the bowl cut it.  

“It’s fine…” I say, waving her off. “I don’t know what I expected. I just don’t get why she hates me…I haven’t even really spoken to her. How can she be like this?” 

“Clearly she’s insane…or just a mean girl, it’s hard to tell the difference." Lilith sighs. “Hey, at least your shoes aren’t ruined, so disaster averted! But honestly, those Mary Janes hardly show off your killer legs. We really should go shopping.”

I roll my eyes at her, but something advances from the back of my mind. I promised I’d try, and if I could try with Nicola I could definitely try with Lilith; I could be a normal girl who goes shopping with a friend…it wouldn’t kill me...