FIONA's POV

Louis scowled "Hey, she's a girl... let's go" Dylan tapped his shoulder

"Susan if you ever in your life bully Fiona Cinderblock I won't have a second thought about punching your stupid face!" Louis said in a harsh tone.

The number of people increased as they began to gossip in low tones, hovering around the scene to get the full story.

Louis grabbed my hand walking out of the hallway, my brain went blank. The noise from the crowd increased.

He left my hands when we got to a quiet place still backing me "Sorry I overreacted, it's just that she has been so mean to you without a reason. She needs to be warned before she does something that'll hurt you" there was a hint of anger, pain and love in his emotions.

"... I'm sorry for using your last name, I know you don't like to hear it" I nodded my head giving him a small smile. Cinderblock is the name of my father, that name brings memories about my painful past. I'm still getting over it, my noon transformation is not helping matters as it reminds me of what I am.

"Thanks for standing up for me" he gave me a cute grin nodding vigorously, I laughed so hard never expecting that kind of reaction.

The sound of the bell interrupted, we looked at ourselves, Louis held my hands wanting to go back to class, I removed my hands then bowed feeling guilty.

He patted my head "it's okay, let's go. You go first" he gestured with his hands.

"Thanks"

I sat down at the right, close to the window like I always do, I darted my eyes from the door as Louis walked in some minutes after, the beat of my heart increased as he took a step closer. I gasped inwardly as he passed my seat to the next row sitting at the back of his friends.

During all the classes he didn't sit with me, I couldn't stop thinking about if he was unhappy or he didn't want to draw attention.

When we closed I was about to go home when I saw him waving from afar. "Thanks for the jacket, I'll bring it tomorrow" I stared at my shoes because Louis didn't stop looking at me.

I raised my head when he held my pinky "I know what you were thinking, I had to, we don't want them to think something is going on between us, right?" I opened my mouth slightly not knowing how to reply to him.

Louis flashed a smile then left, his smile masked a lot of unknown emotions.

Grade twelve was filled with reading, tests and final exams. I taught Louis all he needed and wished him good luck in his exams. Every time I ask him how was his exams his reply was always "it was okay"

It was time for my favorite part of school, the holidays. I get to see fewer teachers and classmates plus I can fully concentrate on my part-time jobs.

On Friday evening two weeks later, I was lying on my bed after refreshing when I received a call, I stretched my hand and answered.

"Louis, hello"

"Hey... Fiona, how're you doing?"

"Good, you?"

"I'm doing great. Are you em...Mmm free? On Saturday?"

"Yeah, any problem?"

"No, it's just that... I'd like us to go to Magnolia coffee shop in the morning"

"Hmmm... okay, yeah"

"Thanks! Goodnight!" he hung up, I could feel his excitement through the phone. I agreed to go with him because I was planning to go out to find a source of inspiration for the five designs I'm supposed to submit on Monday.

I got ready early, wore a sky blue off-shoulder gown with matching flats, placed a blue hairband on my hair and applied light make-up, sliding my black bag sideways.

I walked out of the house when I got a call from Louis like he told me to. The road was a bit busier today, there were more cars and yellow taxis.

My eyes moved closer as a red rose appeared in my face. "Good morning" I took the rose smiling as I recognized the voice.

"Thanks but you don't have to give me all the time. Did you buy this?"

"No, I picked it," Louis replied with a sly smile.

"You're lying" I giggled and looked into his eyes, all he gave me was a shrug for an answer.

We shared a moment of silence as we walked side-by-side, I gasped slightly as he held my hands. I bowed when I felt my cheeks heating. I was still not over his white shirt beneath his leather jacket, black jeans, silver sneakers and the thin long chain dangling on his neck. His hair was tousled as usual.

We got to Magnolia coffee shop, Dylan, Jack and two girls were already seated outside on a round brown table. I pulled out my hands as I saw them from afar

"Louis! They're here!? Why didn't you tell me?" I half-yelled. He pouted looking away as he rubbed his ears.

"Hey, Louis! Fiona!" his friends chorused while the girls waved. I sat close to Louis and a black-haired girl, I didn't look in their direction, I listened to the boys' conversation nodding and smiling.

The boys stood up "we need to go somewhere, be right back" Dylan smiled at us.

He leaned to the brown-headed girl and kissed her, Jack moved to the black-haired girl, she pulled him and kissed him. Louis smiled at me. I glared at him, darting my eyes after a while.

I watched Louis walking away, leaving me with girls I've never talked to "I will never forgive him for this!" I cried internally.

When they left I brought my book scribbling any design that came to my mind.

"Hello! Fiona right?" I stiffened and forced a smile as the brown-headed girl moved to the seat close to me "Yeah"

"I'm Molly and this is Hilda" she grinned, Hilda waved to me with a short smile then buried her head back to her phone.

"Selfie time!" Hilda and Molly squeezed me in the middle pouting as the camera flashed. They took five pictures with their phones, I wanted to ask if this was a photoshoot.

"Update time" they chorused in a sing-song voice and began to tap their phones. I looked left then right burying my head into my drawing and enjoying the quiet atmosphere.

"Wow... I'm getting times two comments" Hilda's eyebrows furrowed in confusion "yeah, me too" Molly replied

"...they are all asking if you're dating Louis" her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she scrolled through.

"Are you!?" Molly inhaled, grabbing my hand, staring wide-eyed, Hilda paused and turned to me.