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♥ gabriel ♥

I WAS BUZZING. It felt as if I was floating on cloud nine in a place of zero gravity and it might have had something to do with the pot brownies I had been eating throughout Sociology. Actually, I was on cloud ten.

Why did people call it cloud nine, anyway? Surely, it should be cloud ten.

You know. Just feels more whole.

And complete.

Whilst a series of exceptionally sexy number tens bobbed around in my mind, an actual ten out of ten walked passed me in the corridor. My adam's apple bobbed sexily and judging by the sparking flame in the girl's eyes, she'd definitely seen it. I couldn't help it and found myself giving her an adorable toothy grin.

What the fuck are you doing, Gabe? Cute was certianly not the look I was going for. I snorted under my breath and attempted to force a straight face to try and claw back the seductive heart breaker image.

Despite my attempts, a smile automatically pulled at my full lips and I found myself holding back a series of giggles.

Okie dokie, let's try that again.

This time I was more successful at holding a neutral face as I walked along the hall towards the dining hall yet my twinkling grey eyes still gave away that I was actually high as hell.

Huh, that's funny because surely hell isn't high. It would be low. Hmm, but then again 'high as heaven' just seems morally wrong-

I shook my head still hiding a smile, running a strong arm through my walnut hair that was wavier than usual today. It sat in curls on the top of my head, a couple waves falling onto my honey skin.

Bro, get your shit together. Focus, Gabe. Dining hall. Walk.

Recently, I had noticed that people had begun treating me the same as the elites at Forteaux. Crowds parted for me and people erupted into admirable whispers. A couple meters away I could see the crown parting for somebody else. Assuming it would be one of them, I sped up and took bigger steps to catch up with them.

I let out a chuckle when I saw it was non other than Logan Douchebag Thornton. I hadn't spoken to him since he'd decided to threaten me in the library. He didn't have the guts to come and talk to me in person and instead used a scrappy piece of paper to blackmail me using my Nanna.

Talk about being spineless.

A sour smile played at my lips as I agreed that it was time to greet Mr Thornton. "Hey, dude," I said, placing a hand on his grey suit. I gave it a good painful little squeeze just for the sake of it. The prick winced as his head moved towards his shoulders, instinctively making his neck disappear.

His head turned in my direction, his dirt brown eyes landing on my slate ones. He frowned in disdain as I put my arm around his shoulder and thre my head back to laugh. The space dividing us and the rest of the pupils got bigger as they listened in.

Oh. I didn't know they were friends.

Yeah, I know right. I thought Louisa cheated on Logan with Gabriel. Surely, they'd hate each other?

Well maybe she didn't. I told you it was all just a rumor. Louisa and Logan are probably still together.

That would make sense.

Yeah, that would mean Logan and Gabriel don't have any reason to hate each other.

Logan could definately hear everyone's converstaions too. "Stop touching me. We're not friends," he hissed whilst snarling. His eyes dated to the two girls who were discussing their theories loudly. "And I don't want people thinking we are."

I gave him a shit eating grin knowing it would piss him off further and feigned an expression of hurt. My eyes twinkled as I leaned slightly closer so only he could hear me. "Nah, of course I fucking know that. I mean, I'd rather be friends with a tree than you. More environmentally friendly right? At least I'd get some fresh air rather than polluting myself with toxic garbage."

My smile dropped as I tilted my head in contemplation and tuned into people's gossip again.

Okay, but is Gabriel still single? He looks like he just walked out of a Brazilian supermodel magazine.

If I'm ever gonna have kids, I want him to be the father.

Excuse me? I already called dibs on him two and a half months ago.

Yeah, if you say so. He probably doesn't even know your name. Have you even spoken to him yet?

Shut up. I'm waiting for the right opportunity.

Yeah right.

A grin formed on my face as I shot a wink at the two girls who were whispering. They both blushed bright red. Logan still seemed furious at what I'd said to him and pushed my hand away as we both walked to the dining hall for lunch.

"Don't overwork your brain trying to think of a comeback. We wouldn't want it to overheat, would we?"

Logan's eye twitches in anger as his crooked jaw pulsates. Just to make a point, he looked at another group of girls alluringly. They burst into what they assumed to be sexy giggles that actually sounded like horses neighing. He looked at me with a I can do that too expression.

And I thought I was the petty one.

"What do you want, Gabriel?" He said quietly, the frustration evident in his voice. I cocked a smile and shrugged my shoulders. We turned a bend as we walked shoulder to shoulder. Well, of course my six foot height, which I'd say was an immediate turn on for many, meant that my head was a couple inches higher than the assholes.

The dining hall was in sight.

"Nothing. Just thought I'd say you have absolutely shit handwriting. I get we are all technology 'ooh ahh' now," I waved my hands around in the air slightly for emphasis before my face dropped and I glowered at him mockingly. "But a five year old could do better."

That pissed Logan right off and he momentarily stood glued to the stop. After a beat, he began walking again. "Shut the hell up." The snarl that seemed to always sit in his face resurfaced. "I think you're missing the point. I didn't think I'd have to physically spell out 'Stay away from Louisa' for you to get the hint but I guess your thick skull is impenetrable."

I scoffed turning my head to the side. "Thick skull? Aren't you creative?"

He ignored me and continued. "After your wander around London I thought it would be best to tell you what I can do. Especially to your Nanna. She seems like a wonderful woman, doesn't she?"

The image of the note scribbled in red pen came back to me. As did his threat about Nanna.

My muscles tenses as they strained against my shirt. There was something disturbingly sexual alongside threatening about the way he said wonderful.

What the fuck was wrong with the guy? "You're mentally sick," I spat the words at him, my lip curled in disgust and anger. "Go see a fucking doctor." Logan smirked in response and dismissed me with a dip of his head.

Furious but compelling myself to not make a scene just yet, I tutted at him. "I doubt you'd want the rest of Forteaux to find out just how much of a bastard you actually are."

The smirk dropped off his face as his crooked jaw became even more crooked. Pursing his lips together tightly, he didn't respond yet the air surrounding him immediately lost all smugness.

We approached the oak double doors of the dining hall and I pushed them open, walking alongside Logan to our table. I briefly locked eyes with Louisa who looked confused and worried at the sight of Logan and I moving together.  My eyes glazed over her and travelled to Prince who gestured for me to sit besides him. Ashlei, Talisa and Arlo weren't here yet.

Lunch got served to us by the dining hall waiters and soon the room was full of noise again. I was as glad that Prince was too busy talking to me about his fathers pharmaceuticals business to notice my mood.

I zoned back in when he mentioned some sort of trip to Australia during the term holiday which was approaching.

"...Arlo will be performing in the evenings but during the day we're planning on renting a Villa and just chilling. Might go see the Great Barrier Reef because Ashlei's never seen it. You should come. I can teach you some surfing too. I go there with my family every summer."

I sometimes forgot how rich these people were.

Nanna said she was 'comfortable' but I was pretty sure she hadn't inherited as much as these people had in their pockets.

I frowned at him and shook my head, cutting a bite of roast potatoes. "Nah mate, I don't think my company would be appreciated if I came."

That was an understatement.

I didn't want to aggravate Logan. Although I didn't think he had the guts to do anything to Nanna, I couldn't risk it.

He pulled a face, his hazel eyes flippantly moving to look at everyone sat at the table. "No, that's not true. Nobody hates you."

I gave him a look.

His chuckled whilst taking a sip from the glass. Prince slowly added, "Apart from Logan but he'll come around. I'll talk to him and explain. I'm sure he'll listen to me."

Slim chance of that.

My jaw tensed at the thought of him again. I hated that he could get under my skin like that. That asshole needed to learn that he couldn't do whatever the fuck he wanted. I was struggling to stop myself from plummeting towards him as he sat opposite me taking to Louisa and punching the shut out him. But that would be stupid.

Regardless, one thing was for sure. He wasn't going to get away with this.

"I want you to be there, Gabriel. It'll be fun. I feel like you get my sense of humour. Arlo and Logan are too serious."

Turning my head in his direction, I grinned and gave him doe eyes. "Is this the stage where you propose to me?" We both burst out laughing and and told me to fuck off.

I shook my head before absentmindedly pulling my bottom lip between my teeth. The reason I wasn't keen on going was because of Nanna. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her.

But the question was, if I didn't do something to scare him off, wasn't he the type of person to do something anyway?

That seemed like a Logan thing to do.

Perhaps it was better if I did go and showed him that I wasn't going to take any of his crap. "Prince, let's be real. It'll cause a shit storm."

He scratched his angular face. "Yeah but it'll be fun. Besides believe it or not, everyone likes you more than you think. Talisa's especially." He raised his eyebrows at me and I sipped some black coffee. "I assure you nobody will mind. Ashlei's too obsessed with fashion to care, Arlo won't be there half the time and I'm not sure whether Louisa can even make it."

My lips perked into a smile at the mention of Louisa as idea popped into my head.

I tilted my head to the side thinking about it. That could be good. It would show Logan that I'm not afraid of him and make him back away.

But of course, Louisa would have to come on the holiday for it to work.

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe, I'll come." Nanna would take a hell of convincing but I knew she'd eventually give in. "However, will Lexi be there? I don't want anyone jumping me in my sleep." I tried to laugh but found it harder considering my high was beginning to wear off.

I hoped Lexi was. I wanted to know what had happened about her scans at the hospital. Had the alcohol she ingested affected the baby? Was she even having the baby? Had she told anybody yet?

Prince raised one eyebrow making his oval face seem even longer. "I think so. Logan said she'd probably drink too much and put on another show. Why buy tickets to a comedy when you have Lexi, right?"

I liked Prince but sometimes the things he said reminded me that at the end of the day, he was one of them.

Forcing a laugh, I watched as Talisa, Ashlei and Arlo sat down. Talisa's eyes locked with mine before she quickly looked away, surprisingly embarrassed. I still hadn't spoken to her since I found out she liked me. I noticed how she deliberately sat away from Louisa.

She was probably still angry at Louisa for supposedly going on a date with me when she knew Talisa liked me. When would people realise that that Sunday wasn't a 'date?'

"Plus I'll have someone to hang out with if Logan and Louisa get a room."

I nodded slowly, my mind drifting back to the idea I had though of. Logan was evidentially insecure about his relationship with Louisa and viewed me as a threat.

My pinkish lips lifted as my eyes darted between the 'loved up' couple. How much of a push would it take to make Logan jealous of a romance that never actually existed?

That would show him that Gabriel Reid wasn't going to accept any threats towards his Nanna.

Word of warning: this trip is going to be absolutely crazy. I can't deal with it and it hasn't even happened yet. Someone get me a therapist please.
The more I write, the more I think Prince and Gabriel would be the best ship of them all ahaha!
KiwiAndKoalas x

♥ 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫! ♥