When people ask what I see in you, I just smile and look away because I'm afraid if they knew they'd fall in love with you too.

-Internet

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'So you're back now? I'm finally worth your time and company once more?' Gavin snapped when I finally reappeared a week later.

If his words and facial expression didn't clue me in on his apparent anger, his glacial tone definitely did without a doubt.

It certainly left me scrambling for words.

My one week Gavin-hiatus hadn't helped much. In fact if anything, it had weakened my Gavin defenses. I wasn't prepared to see him again. He had grown at least a centimetre taller. Is that even possible? And his eyes. They were more captivating than ever. His arms were straining against his shirt sleeves. Oh sweet heavens.

I squeezed my eyes shut and massaged my temples. I can do this damn it.

'Are you okay?' The sharp contrast of his tone from angry to worried had me opening my eyes and the worried expression to match his voice had me stiffening against the happy lurch that organ in my chest which must not be named gave. Curse you, you blasted heart!

'I'm fine.' In that moment, I hated the breathless quality in my voice more than I would've hated an axe wielding serial killer with a penchant for corkscrews.

And I hate corkscrews.

The moment passed and he went back to glaring at me like I was responsible for all the world's problems.

'What are you so riled up about?' I asked in the most nonchalant tone I could manage.

The question only seemed to incense him further. He glared at me through narrowed eyes. 'What am I so riled up about?' He echoed slowly.

I shrugged even though I knew that would only make him more angry. His tightly clenched fists were an indication of that.

'You were gone.' He said with a slow, dangerous kind of deliberateness. 'For a week.'

I shivered at the frigid tension in the room. 'Seven months ago you didn't know me. What's the big deal? I left for a week Gavin. A period of seven days. Are you starting to develop attachment issues?'

The frosty glare he shot me made me realize that that was definitely the wrong thing to say even if I'd only meant it as a joke.

'Of course not. You're free to do as you please. Up and leave whenever the hell you please and come back whenever it suits you. Just don't expect me to be here waiting patiently like some lapdog.' He growled, slamming the door on his way out. I was left standing there with a bewildered expression.

What in heaven's name just happened?

Another slammed door confirmed my suspicion that Gavin had in fact left the house on a huff of anger. At me.

Before I could manage to get my jaw off the floor, Kelsey stalked in like an avenging angel. All glares and none of the happy smiles I normally associated her with.

Gavin is angry with me. Kelsey is glaring at me. Am I in some sort of alternate universe?

'I know you're here. Because of Gavin's reaction.' She glared at me. I bristled.

Am I seriously about to get lectured by girl who is at least a 150 years younger than I am?

'You know I can't believe I trusted you for a second. I know you can hear me because Gavin said you always hear and you talk but we just can't hear you and that's fine because no excuse you give is going to be good enough. In fact you have no excuse!' She yelled.

Apparently I am.

'Okay, what the hell are you yapping about?!' I snapped. There's no way I'm taking lip from Kelsey. Not after just taking it from her brother.

She didn't even seem to care that I projected my voice for her to hear. In fact she seemed happy about it because now she had somewhere to direct her anger at.

'You left! You just up and left! You don't just up and leave!' She snarled.

'I know what I did! I left and I can do whatever the hell I want. Last time I checked, I'm in charge of my life. Me! Not you or Gavin or anyone else. What the hell is your problem anyway?'

'My problem is the you just left without any explanation. Without saying anything! You were just gone! I don't care that you left!'

'So why do you care then?!' At this point we were both yelling at the top of our lungs.

'I care because you made him worry!'

'Him who?' I frowned.

'Gavin! He was worried! For God's sake he was so worried about you. He's spent this last week doing as much good deeds as he could because of you. He gets back past midnight, just in time to fall into bed and he's up and out of the house before anyone wakes up all because he's doing as much good deeds as he can to save you. To break your stupid curse. Because he was worried something happened to you! And turns out you left just because you felt like?! Of course. I mean who cares how your decision affects others. As long as you're good then everyone else is just collateral damage, right? Did you even for one second stop to think about my brother at all?' She snarled.

Oh no she didn't.

'Why do you think I left?' I tried to ignore the horde of butterflies that had taken up residence in my heart. The good kind of butterflies. He was worried about me.

'Yeah, right. So you were thinking of him when you decided to disappear without a trace. Of course. That makes perfect sense.' She scoffed.

'Yes, I was thinking of Gavin when I left. He's all I've thought about all week. He's all I can think about these days. I didn't notice it before but I do now and that's why I left! I had to leave! I had to put some distance between us! For his sake and mine! He has Asia for crying out loud! And even if he didn't, I'm a ghost. I can't... I didn't think he'd be worried!' A tense silence followed my outburst and I watched the expressions; shock, confusion, bewilderment, understanding and pity flash across Kelsey's face as she processed my statement.

I squeezed my eyes shut, kneading my temples.

I shouldn't have told her. I should have.

'You can't tell anyone. Especially not Gavin.' I said, desperation colouring my tone.

'I wouldn't do that.' Kelsey said with a sympathetic smile like she knew exactly what it felt like being in my situation. 'I won't tell Gavin or anyone else. Just don't make him worry like that ever again. I've know him since I was born and I've never seen him that distraught. That all over the place.'

Even though what she said was definitely not a good thing, a tiny part of me couldn't help but be happy. He was worried about me.

'But no more sudden disappearances or anything that you know would make him worry.' Kelsey said in a no-nonsense tone.

'No more.' I nodded in agreement.

'I didn't factor in that he might be worried or concerned about me. Or that he would even care. I figured he'd be enjoying his time without an annoying controlling ghost breathing down his neck.' I shook my head. 'I have some apologizing to do.'

'You do.' Kelsey smiled for the first time in our little encounter. 'In case you're looking for him, any time he's mad, he--'

'He goes to the nearest high place.' I finished. She stared at me in surprise.

'How did you know?'

'I know Gavin.' Was my simple reply and with that, I set off to find the guy how'd brought chaos to my normally organized thoughts and well thought out actions.

Gavin Connor, what will I do with you?



****

Author's Note:

Sorry for the long wait readers. I was swamped with lots of tests this past week. I'll be updating soon to make up for it. Thanks for being understanding and not pestering me about updating.

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