FOUR

Cleo Lewis sat at the table in the school library, her head deep in a book.

"So what're you going to do about them JJ?" Cleo hears the whisper of words behind one of the bookshelves.

"Theres nothing I can do with just myself, Tobi and Deji, because you're not strong enough to fight," JJ replies to the person.

Cleo stands up, doing her best to look realistic as she pretends to search the shelves for a book.

"I know, I know,  but...I can't live like his anymore," The second voice replies.

Cleo looks through the gaps of the books to find Josh. Everyone called him Chip for some reason or another.

"Listen, mate, I'm doing my best to try and handle those guys, but I can't, and with your hand broken its going to be hard to find someone else to fight them with us," Says JJ and Cleo sighs deeply.

She walks round to see them and they both turn and look.

"Hey Cleo," JJ says and Cleo smiles, and walks towards them.

"I think I might know someone who can help you guys," She whispers and JJ looks at Josh and back to Cleo.

"What's he called?" JJ asks and Cleo leans closer.

"Joel, normally hangs out with someone called Ali down on the football field," Cleo says and the two boys look at each other and smile.

"Thanks Cleo," Chip says and JJ and the smaller boy head off to go and find Joel and Ali.

Cleo on the other hand returns to her table, only to find her book and bag missing.

She groans, taking her coat off the back of the chair and pulling it on, shrugging it over her shoulders.

She walks to the library counter and smiles at the librarian.

"Sorry, have you seen my bag and copy of Pride and Prejudice?" Cleo asks and the woman shakes her head.

"A boy did come in, blonde, tall, blue eyes? He walked right over there," The woman points towards the corner where Cleo was sitting.

"Oh no," She mutters, turning to look back at her table. She heads out of the library, walking as fast as her legs would carry her.

"Lookin' for somethin'," She hears to her left and she turns slowly, her eyes closing at the sound of that sinister voice.

"Give my stuff back," She says, attempting to sound firm.

"Where are your manners?" She looks down the dark corridor and can see him holding her backpack in his hand, the book in his other hand.

"Please, just give it back," She says and he chuckles.

He steps out of the shadows and holds the bag towards her.

She reaches for it, but he holds it up, out of the shorter girls reach.

"Simon, please," She says, the bell for next lesson rings through the school. She knew she had to get it back before people flooded the corridors.

"Please," She says again, her eyes looking into his.

He swiftly passes her the bag and the book before pulling his black hood over his head and disappearing into the forming crowd.

She sees he's put a little piece of paper in the book. She moves aside from the middle of the hall and opens it up, seeing a handwritten note.

Cleo,

Meet me by the football pitch at 4 this evening, i have something i want to show you.

come alone.

- simon minter

The note was written in red ink, and honestly she had no idea what to make of the whole thing. He stole her bag and book just to pass on a note? How odd.

Cleo attempts to shake her mind free of the thought of the horrible boy.

Suddenly a hand is placed on her shoulder.

She turns, looking rather scared.

"You okay?" The boy asks and she breathes, nodding.

"I'm good, just a little shook up, how are you?" She asks and he smiles.

"I'm good, two boys came to see me earlier, they asked for help with some business," He says and Cleo nods.

"I figured you'd be up for it, Joel," She says and he nods.

"Yeah, always am, I gotta' dash but are you still coming to the party tomorrow?" He asks and Cleo nods.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Cleo chuckles and Joel grins before heading off down the corridor.

Cleo heads towards her next lesson, her mind wondering back to Simon and the thought of what he wanted.

• • • •

Cleo makes her way down to the football pitch dead on 4pm that evening.

She looks round, her eyes scanning the stands for Simon Minter.

Cleo sighs, he wasn't here yet.

She waits patiently, checking her phone out of boredom and suddenly she feels like someone is watching her.

She looks over her shoulder and sees Simon walking towards her, his hood pulled up over his head.

"Follow me," He says simply and Cleo reluctantly follows Simon down to the changing rooms, where the football team would normally change before a game.

"What do you want?" Cleo asks and Simon looks up.

"Don't come to school tomorrow," Simon says and Cleo's eyes widen.

"What do you mean, don't come to school tomorrow?" She asks, her throat clenches.

"I mean, just stay the fuck away," Simon replies and Cleo gulps back the lump.

"Okay, you're scaring me now," She says, glancing at the door.

"Theres going to be a fight, a big fight, and I don't need you to be involved, I don't need you to see anyone get hurt," He says and Cleo squints at him.

"Why would you care if I saw?" She asks and Simon looks up at her from his seat on the bench.

"Because I...I just...I just thought I'd let you know, you seem...Sensitive," Simon says and Cleo bites her cheek, not wanting to say anything that could anger him.

"Okay...Well thank you," She says and she makes for the door.

She places her hand on the handle but her arm has been gripped. She turns and her eyes scan up the body of the now tall Simon Minter.

She couldn't deny how good he looked, towering over her, his hood still over his head but his piercing blue eyes visible.

"Let go," She whispers, swallowing thickly.

"I can't," He says and Cleo blinks, looking away.

"You're scaring me, Minter," She says and Simon lifts his hand, tilting her chin so she has to look him in the eyes.

"Why are you so damn perfect, Cleo? Why are you so golden? So kind? So beautiful? And divine? You're just too pure and innocent for a place like this," He says, his eyes still staring into hers.

"Why are you saying these things Simon?" She asks and he shakes his head.

"I can't stop thinking about you," He whispers softly and she puts a hand on his chest and pushes him away.

"I've told you a million times, Minter, leave me alone," She says and Simon looks down at his feet.

He listens as the girl opens the door and hurries along the corridor.

She was too pure and innocent for a boy like him.

_____________

Ayeeeeee

Little cheeky update for you!

Its currently 20 past 3 in the morning which is of course very healthy.

Thank you for reading!

~KatnissBajanCanadian❤