Hi angels,
I just wanted to say thank you for the immense support on this story- the last chapter got over 1K reads, 100 votes and almost over 100 comments too. It's unreal and I'm so grateful for you guys showing me this amount of love after my break.
You're the best family ever ♥️
Sitting at work on my lunch break as I upload this and all I can think of is that I can't wait until the day that I can publish my own work and not have to work somewhere I don't have a passion for.
Thank you my lovelies xx
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CHAPTER 29
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The next day I can feel the tension in my throat as I walk into school, Kristie's hand clutched firmly in mine.

The boys had stayed at her house for a little while but eventually, they headed back to school to collect their things and Kristie and I spent the rest of the evening discussing Trent and what he had said to me.

It was safe to say that Kristie was over the moon by what he had confessed and she didn't shut up for hours about how 'she had told me so' and that the two of us were perfect for each other. I think she almost fell for him when I told her about 'Koi No Yokan' and what it basically meant.

Later, when Linda returned home and we all sat down to have dinner, Kristie gushing to her about what had happened, we were all completely taken by surprise when Gerry walked through the front door, a bottle of champagne dangling from his hand.

Linda looked so happy to see him that my heart almost burst for her and when he announced that a new surgeon had started working for them today and therefore he wouldn't have to do so much overtime I thought all of our faces were going to break from the smiles splitting across them.

I felt guilty for intruding on their moment, just like I did about staying with them but Kristie had told me that she had told her mom that my father was away and I didn't want to be in the house alone when Matt might show up; of course being the amazing person she is Linda didn't hesitate to let me stay for as long as I needed and I was so grateful to her for it.

The night was spent with us all fussing over Benji and then settling down to watch a movie together, which turned into us all laughing at Gerry as he fell asleep on the sofa and began to snore very loudly, causing us to take some funny videos and pictures.

By the time we went to bed I had never felt more peaceful and welcomed in the entire world and I just knew that things were going to be okay.

That was not the feeling I now had walking through the front doors of our high school.

"You're fine Elle, deep breaths," Kristie murmurs beside me, her hand squeezing mine and I shoot her a smile in response but I know it looks strained and panicked, "Everything is going to be okay, just be strong."

I nod, my mouth dry and unable to respond as I try to ignore the stares of people around me who are watching me in shock, their eyes trailing up and down my body and then at the person next to me who isn't my boyfriend.

"I can do this," I whisper to myself, straightening up my back and thanking myself for wearing flats and not heels because they draw a lot less attention without the sound of clicking on the hard floor and it gave me much more comfort.

As I'd been staying at Kristie's, I borrowed her clothes to wear and therefore that meant that for the first time in at least three years, I had picked what I wanted to wear and it definitely took a lot longer than expected.

I had sat there and stared at everything, my heart hammering as I imagined Matt's reaction to any of the outfit choices but finally after about an hour of me hyperventilating and Kristie reassuring me I had picked an outfit that I'd always wanted to wear.

A big, loose, white t-shirt dress, a denim jacket and a pair of ankle boots. So simple, so comfortable.

And so me.

Kristie had braided my hair into a large braid that fell over one shoulder and she used some of the shorter hair at the front of my face to cover up the fading bruise on my cheek. That, along with some light makeup meant that it wasn't easy to spot and it was the freest I had ever felt at school.

"Elle!" a voice calls and for a moment I panic, my feet stumbling in terror at who it might be, but when I see the familiar head of ginger hair walking towards us I relax and open my arms, throwing myself at them as soon as they're a step away.

'Cam," I breathe, my arms wrapping around his waist as his circle my shoulders, his head nuzzling into the top of my hair as he breathes in deeply.

"God I was so worried about you," he mumbles, his voice soft with concern and I have to stop myself from tearing up, he always made me feel right at home.

He pulls back at looks at me, his eyes travelling down my outfit, widening when they get to the bottom.

"Elle... you look amazing," he breathes and I feel the blush pushing onto my cheeks before he gets back to my eyes, "Really! This is... the best I've ever seen you look."

Kristie steps in, rolling her eyes as she pulls us apart, chuckling under her breath, "Sorry, I thought I would at least get a hello?" she jokes and Cam smirks, locking an arm around her neck as he pulls her into him, his knuckles rubbing into her hair.

"You know I love you," he chuckles as she attempts to push him off of her, complaining about her hair and I stand watching them, a smile on my face.

Kristie had told me that she had texted Cam about what had happened and the situation with everything, he knew better than anyone what was going on, but he had to work and so he couldn't come over.

Not that I totally minded, it was nice to just spend time with Kristie at hers for once, plus Cam had enough going on in his life without me adding to the issues.

"So Elle," he begins, finally letting our best friend go and wrapping an arm around each of us, "How are you feeling?"

The question isn't one I expect and I don't exactly know how to respond.

How was I feeling?

"Good," I answer uncertainly before correcting myself, "Nervous."

Cam smiles, his fingers squeezing my shoulder and I relax a little, I had support.

"Don't worry too much, you're doing what's best for you and that's nothing to be scared of."

I smile in response, my heart calming a little at his words and we arrive at my locker quickly, the people around me forgotten as I chat to my two best friends, their laughter and jokes distracting me from the stares.

When I close my locker after retrieving my books I look past Kristie and Cam and at the sea of people behind them, all chatting and milling about, making their way to classes. When far behind them at the entrance to the school I see a head of pale blonde hair my heart stops and my blood runs cold.

"Guys, can we go to class," I interrupt hurridly, my heartbeat hammering in my chest as I grab Kristie's arm, my eyes not leaving the figure heading in our direction, "Please."

Kristie looks at my panicked expression and doesn't even need to turn to see who is coming to know, she immediately just nods and grabs her own books, quickly linking arms with me as she drags me away and Cam follows behind silently, his glare shooting back at the person.

The crowd seems so crowded and the three of us can't push through completely as people press against us and when we hear the shrill sound of the bell echoing through the halls my panic rises, as does the amount of people trying to move down the halls.

"Move, move, move!" Kristie yells, attempting to shove people out the way but by doing so she only manages to squeeze herself through and suddenly her and Cam aren't beside me anymore and my eyes are beginning to go fuzzy as I spin around looking for them.

No, no, no, please no.

My fingers tingle as my palms become sweaty and I continue to try and push through the people around me, their bodies pressing against me in a way that makes my lungs constrict and I try to look for somewhere where I can breathe.

Was I having a panic attack?

With eyes wide, I claw through the mass of people, apologies tumbling from my lips as I try to see in which direction I'm going but everything seems to be blurring into one and the drumming in my head along with grumble of everyone around me makes me lose my orientation and I clutch at my neck, my fingers wrapping around the necklace dangling from my neck as I struggle to stay standing, my body flinching every time a flash of blonde appears in my vision.

I manage to push out of the crowd and my back bashes into a locker, the metal clang making a couple people look at me but no one stops to help, instead, they all begin to whisper as they continue to walk past and their voices all start echoing in my head.

Is that Annabelle Williams?

Has she gone crazy?

Did Matt break up with her?

God, she looks a mess.

Does Matt know she's like this?

The voices all keep crashing down on me and I close my eyes, trying to block them out as I sink against the metal, crouching down a little as I try to push away all the negative thoughts swimming in my head.

Please stop.

My books clatter to the ground as both my hands clutch at my chest and around the warm crystal hanging from my neck.

Please stop, please stop.

"Elle?" A low voice asks but I don't open my eyes, my fear being that my mind is just playing tricks on me.

"Elle." It says again, this time closer and I feel someone stop in front of me, their body covering me from the gazes of passers-by as their arms circle me, pulling me into them and as soon as their fingertips touch me and their scent washes over me my whole body relaxes and I fall into them, my head spinning.

"Shhh, mi Reina, shhh," he hushes, his large hands stroking my back and it's as if he blocks out all other things around me, "Listen to my heartbeat, focus on that, just breath, mi Reina, breathe."

I do as he says and cling closer to his chest, my eyes squeezed shut as I listen to the rhythmic pounding of his heart and I place my own hand over it, feeling the vibrations under my touch echo through me.

After a moment I pull away and open my eyes, my sight only finding a large chest in front of me and I slowly look up, a soft smile gracing my lips when a soft hand comes out and cups my cheek gently.

"Good morning, Trent," I breathe and he smiles down at me his eyes watching me carefully.

"Good morning, Elle," he replies, "feeling better now?"

I nod slightly, embarrassment taking over at the fact that I've just had a small panic attack in the middle of school in front of everyone and my eyes dart around, looking for people but there's only a few stragglers mingling around.

The rest must have gone to class.

"I don't know what happened," I murmur, my voice shaking, "One minute I was with Kristie and Cam and the next I couldn't move and people weren't moving, and I've never had to push through a crowd like that before and I saw him and I just-"

Trent cuts me off again my taking my hands away from my face and bringing them to his lips, his head shaking as he does.

"It's alright, mon ange, you're fine, you did well I'm proud of you," his lips softly press against the skin of my fingers and my stomach clenches in reaction, my heart pounding in my chest now for a different reason.

I can't take my eyes off of him as his breath breezes over my hand and his nose brushes against my knuckles, his eyes unmoving as he stares down at me.

"You certainly have all the languages in your vocabulary," I tease, clearing my throat and his smirk is clear even from behind my hands.

"Only for you, Liebling."

I can't help but laugh at his words and he smiles back at me, lowering our hands before glancing around.

"Shall we go to class?" he asks, motioning to the empty halls and I realise that my first class of the day is English.

With Trent.

I smile softly and nod, bending to collect my books from the ground but before I can Trent's arm has stopped me and he is already picking them up and stacking them on top of his.

I blush as he stands up and smiles at me, switching them into his far away arm while his other rests gently on my back as it guides me forward and down the hall.

"You know I can carry my own books," I mumble, looking around and wondering if anyone is watching us.

"I know you can," Trent smirks as we turn down another hall, "However, I enjoy the blush that covers your cheeks whenever I do something for you too much to let the opportunity slip away."

I glare down at the ground as I feel the heat spread over my cheeks again much to my dismay and Trent chuckles, noticing it.

Like he notices everything.

"You, Mon Papillon, are so easy to make blush."

I glare at him and stick my tongue out.

"I am not," I argue defensively.

"Oh, well then," Trent smirks, opening the door for us to enter the classroom, "Perhaps it's just around me then?"

My eyes widen at his words as well as the wink that he sends in accompaniment and I quickly duck under his arm and into the awaiting classroom, refusing to let him see how my cheeks have turned an even deeper shade of red and I quickly head for my seat, grateful that our teacher isn't here.

Inside the class, I immediately find Kristie who rushes over to me and wraps her arms around me, the sigh of relief evident when she pulls back.

"What happened to you? We lost you and then I was going to come back and get you but Mrs Howard had already seen me and basically dragged me into the class-"

Kristie's words cut off as her eyes look behind me and my whole body tingles when I feel his presence, his chest almost touching my back.

"Trent," Kristie comments, shooting me a look, "fancy seeing you here."

I roll my eyes at her words and shoot her a warning look as a smug grin coats over her features.

"Nice to see you too, Kristie," he responds, a warmth in his voice that heats me to my core, "Apologies for Elle disappearing, I saw her struggling in the crowd and dragged her out of it , didn't want her getting knocked and that bruise on her face getting hit."

The lie passes through his lips so smoothly that I can't help but look up at him in awe, the warm feeling radiating over me again at a temperature at least ten times higher and my breath catches in my throat as I gaze.

"Oh, well then that's totally alright," Kristie replies, watching the two of us, "Thank you, Trent."

He nods his head briefly in response and Kristie looks as though she is about to say something but Mrs Howard chooses that moment to enter and I've never been happier to see her.

"We better sit," I say quickly and walk past Kristie, heading to my seat in the corner and it's like I have a sensor for Trent because without even looking I can feel him just two steps behind me.

I settle into my seat as Mrs Howard begins to talk to the class, her voice booming through the room and Trent leans over to me, my books appearing on my desk.

"Thank you," I whisper to him, knowing that he knows that it's not just for the books - as always, I'm thanking him for much more than that.

He doesn't do anything except smile and tip his head in my direction to let me know that he's heard me and he shrugs off his jacket, hanging it over the back of his chair before leaning back and listening to our teacher.

Although I try to listen and pay attention, my eyes keep getting drawn back to Trent and after about the fifth time of purposely looking away I just let myself stare for a moment, taking him all in.

It's the first time that I've actually looked past his rippling muscles and gorgeous face and really looked at the tattoos on his arms that are peaking out from underneath the material of his shirt.

The symbols swirl over his skin as though they've been painted on and I notice a few phrases etched in with them but none of them are fully visible and they all seem to be in a different language, so I can't understand any of them.

He turns his head in my direction ever so slightly and I gasp, quickly looking away, my fingers unconsciously flying to my neck and wrapping around the pendant hanging there, my breath hitching as I try to calm it.

Don't think about how good he looks.

Don't think about him in any way other than an English partner.

The orders in my mind don't work very well and I can't help but look at him again, my eyes training in on his lips that are softly parted as he concentrates intensely on the screen at the front of the room.

I feel my own lip curl into my mouth as my teeth gently bite it and a flush rises up my neck as I glance at his biceps, watching them tense and my fingers clutch to the necklace like I'm trying to clutch onto my own self will.

God, how I wouldn't love for those lips to-

There's a sound of snapping and I'm broken out of my daze. It takes me a moment to realise what the sound is but when I glance down at Trent's hands that are resting on the table I realise that his pencil is snapped in two and his fists are curled tightly.

He lets a sound out of his mouth as he reaches down to his feet to retrieve a new one and as he does his shirt rises and the flesh on his back is revealed.

I gasp at the amount of ink on the small piece of skin that I can see and he seems to realise because he shoots back up into his seat and his jaw grits, his hand pulling down the material, fixing it back into place and I turn my whole body back to the front of the room, not wanting him to see my curious expression.
After a moment of him staring at me he turns back to the front and continues with the class, his fists still clenched and body tense but I manage not to look at him as I stare down at my work, my mind replaying what I've seen.

Even from the bottom of the tattoo, it seemed obvious as to what it was, the outline unmistakable and the shape only looking like one thing and one thing in particular.

On Trent's back I could swear;

He has a large tattoo of a wolf.
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HOW WAS THAT??
Honestly I just love writing moments between the two of them they actually make my heart ache and I love them.
Also I fricken love you guys and please continue to show the love and support that you have been because it's crazy xxx

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