Awsten's POV

Geoff had been there three weeks and still didn't know where the canteen was. How? You had to walk through two sets of double doors and it was right there on the left underneath the Theatre. Jesus.

"Awsten what lessons next?" Geoff asked as we left music. "Health and social Geoff." It was the same routine every day. What's next Awsten? Where are we next Awsten? Where's the fucking bathroom Awsten? I was so sick of him!

He had a map and a timetable and I took him around the entire school three times, it wasn't that big. We arrived outside the classroom, pushing through the mob of people to reach the door. Already partially ajar, it took next to no force to fully open the door.

Geoff stepped through first, followed swiftly by Otto. He was my saviour for that lesson. Patty was next door and could only support me through text however Otto could physically support me by distracting me with a faceful of hair. Mrs Patel walked to the front of the classroom. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by someone shouting "EW HE TOUCHED ME!"

The whole class turned to stare at the Devil herself. Ciara Hanna. She stood up and pointed a shaking finger at Geoff. "What happened here?" Mrs Patel asked. "I asked Jawn for a sheet and it touched me! It pushed the sheet at me and touched my arm! Is that sexual harassment?"

"Go stand outside, I'll deal with you later." Ciara huffed and wiped away tears. "That's pathetic! Are you not going to do anything about it? He f-"

"Out!" Still mumbling she left, slamming the door behind her. The lesson carried on as normal but I couldn't stop thinking about blue eyes. Ever since her eruption he had retreated back into his shell. He was once open to everything, full of life and wonder but now she'd dulled his shine. A couple of times I had seen her whisper something with a malicious look upon her face. She had thrown scraps of paper at him, laughing when he opened them looking confused.

But now she's done it. Now she had broken him. I turned to look at him. I saw how he refused to interact with Jawn, how his own remained untouched and worksheet blank. He'd given up. Given up because of her. "She's just being dramatic like always, don't get involved with her again." Otto murmered. I nodded and looked away. I have to get him out of my head.

Ciara broke everyone. I know most people didn't like me but they knew me. When the news got out of what she'd done to me, her social media blew up. People sending hate and even death threats at her. I fucking hated her but she didn't deserve that, no one does. Maybe that's why she was so bitter.

"Ok I have a quick announcement before the bell. You have a new project!" How our teacher sounded so upbeat and energetic about it I don't know. All I know is that her students didn't feel the same way. "Your project has to be based on a social experiment. You need to collect data and information and present it in an interesting way."

She went a through a list of names and paired people up. I zoned out halfway through. "...Ciara and Blake. Jawn and Otto. Awsten and Geoff..." Wait what? I was stuck with Geoff? Seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I felt bad for him but that doesn't mean I liked him. Ugh great. Patty was definitely get ranted at. "Awsten!" Geoff shouted. I looked over and for the first time that day, he smiled. "We got partnered up and I wondered if we could work on it tonight." He said, looking hopeful. Why not I don't have anything better to do. "Sure, why not."

"Awesome! Where do you want to do it? My place or yours?" The brunette asked excitedly, a wide smile on his face.

"Yours." I blurted out. "I...I mean yours please." Not mine, not right now. Geoff nodded and smiled again. Goddamn that smile. Awsten what the fuck are you thinking? It's Geoff Wigington! Exactly, it's Geoff Wigington. Blue eyes. The one person that renders you speechless. Geoff Wigington, the one person that refuses to leave your thoughts day in, day out.

Goddamn.

-

"Ok so sorry if it's a bit messy, my Mom has been working late recently and I've had a shit ton to do so the house hasn't exactly been cared for." Geoff apologised. He opened the front door and stepped inside. I followed suit and trailed after him into his living room, making sure to close the door behind me. It was not a mess at all. It was tidier than mine which was not hard.

"It's amazing." I breathed, looking around. The walls were creamy with red swirls swimming around the spacious room. Bay windows allowed sunlight to pour through like floodlights giving the room a bright and kind of uplifting vibe. "It's not much but it's home." Geoff said. Pictures sat on the fireplace, filled with memories. "Is that your dad?" I asked pointing to the middle one.

"Yeah, he died a couple of years ago. He taught me so much and he was my hero. Still is." In the picture was a little boy, smiling as his dad was seemingly chasing him around the room. "I was six when that was taken. He used to do that most days just to wake me up." Geoff's tone was sad and wistful. I turned around to see tears falling down his face.

"I'm sorry." I apologised. "It's Ok Aws. I don't think about him as much as I should so thank you for letting me talk about it." He looked down and wiped away a few tears. I took his hand and squeezed it, in a comforting way, so he knew I was there. "Anyway, on with this project. What should we do?"

"Hmm." Still holding his hand I clicked my tongue and thought. "How about something like for a week you 'bully' me and we see how people react?" I suggested. "I like that idea but to make it more believable you should 'bully' me."

"Geoff I do-"

"Just do it Awsten, it's a stupid project. It's not real." I sighed but nodded. "Fine. But expect me to come round pretty much everyday to apologise and I refuse to hit you."

"Deal." He smiled a genuine smile and I could only smile back. His happiness is infectious. "Come on I'll show you my room and we can work out a plan." The brunette walked me upstairs, our hands still clasped tightly together.