"Learn to value yourself, which means: fight for your happiness." ~ Ayn Rand

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Getting ready for school doesn't usually take me too long. But today, I feel myself over analysing what I should wear simply because Abel admitted his feelings for me. It makes me think that he'll be paying more attention to me and that makes me nervous.

I keep looking through my wardrobe before realising something. Since when do I care what people think of me? I shake my head at myself before picking out a simple pair of blue jeans and a fitted black top. I grab my converse and camo jacket before heading downstairs.

Since I took longer than I thought, Marcel is already waiting on me so I grab a granola bar and head outside to his car.

"About time Keziah." He says.

We arrive at school ten minutes before the bell goes so I head straight to my form room and sit with Rani and Ana.

"You look nice today Kez." States Rani with a smile. "Dressing for a certain someone?"

"Don't be ridiculous Rani, I always dress like this."

"Sure you do." Ana adds.

I roll my eyes. "Anyway, I have something I need to tell you guys. Okay so last night, Abel texted me-"

"Oh what did he say?" Asks Rani.

"I'm getting to that, let me speak. So he basically told me that he likes me and is in interested in making me his."

"No way!" Shouts Ana.

"It's surprising isn't it?"

"Um no not really. Everyone could see it except you Kez. You're just that oblivious." Says Rani.

"Oh." I respond. "Well I'm pretty nervous for when I see him today."

"Why though? Just be how you've always been. He likes you already so it's no big deal. By the way, do you like him?" Asks Ana.

"I'm not completely sure yet. I mean I get these feelings...but I don't know."

"Well, no pressure you'll figure it out soon enough Kez."

The bell rings signalling the start of first period so we all head to our prospective classes. I have English first which Abel just happens to be in.

I walk towards West block where my class is held and enter room 15. I go to the back of the classroom and take a seat. After I get out what I need for this lesson, I look up to find Abel walking towards me. My heart begins to pound violently when our gazes lock.

Immediately, I look away in a desperate attempt to calm myself down.

Suddenly, the scent of cinnamon and sandalwood enters my nose just as Abel takes a seat.

"Hey Brown Eyes." He says.

"Um hi Abel." I reply.

"Why aren't you looking at me?"

"Oh, I'm just admiring the nature outside."

And avoiding your intense stare to prevent me from sweating like an idiot. Of course, I only say that part in my head.

Abel turns my seat to face him and places his arms next to my legs causing my eyes to widen in shock.

He leans in close to me and whispers, "You don't have to be nervous around me Brown Eyes, I'm still the same person as I was before I told you how I felt."

At this close of a range, I can smell the mint on his breath and see the small specks of green in his eyes. If I wanted, I could reach forward and run my hands through his hair...

"I'm not nervous, just thinking about things." I respond vaguely.

Abel leans back and smirks at me. "If you say so Brown Eyes."

I clear my throat and focus on what Mr Richards, my English teacher is saying.

"Okay class, today I'll be assigning you all various plays to do a presentation on.

Once I call out your names, go sit with your partner to discuss what you  will be doing."

Mr Richards begins listing the pairs.

"Rebecca and Alex, you will be working on The Great Gatsby.  Nicholas and Jason, Wuthering Heights. Temi and Nathan, you have Jane Eyre.  Laticia and Michalea, Pride and Prejudice. Finally, Abel and Keziah you have Romeo and Juliet. You may begin working on your presentations."

I feel Abel look in my direction. "Guess its you and me Brown Eyes." He says with a smile.

For the rest of the lesson, we both discuss what we're going to include and how we plan on presenting it. At the end of class, Abel picks up my bag for me and speaks. "We should probably pick a day to work on the presentation further."

"We can just do it in our free periods. Now give me back my bag." He lifts its even higher.

"We don't have the same free periods, I checked. And not until you pick a day for us to work together."

"Why would you check my timetable? That's kind of stalkery you know."

"To know when I can spend more time with you." He says honestly.

I stop reaching for my bag for a second and stare at him. "You're so sure of yourself Abel."

"No, I'm just sure on how I feel about you Brown Eyes."

I smile shyly at him. "You realise this doesn't have to be completed until the end of term right? That's like 6 weeks away.

"I know, I just want to get started early."

"Alright, I'll let you know when I'm free."

"Sounds good beautiful."

"Now, can you hand me my bag?"

"Hmm nah, I think it suits me well."

I roll my eyes at him before he puts his free arm on my shoulder pulling me close.

Having Abels, arm on my shoulders makes me feel strangely protected. I'm not one to usually depend on guy, but with Abel, it feels different. A good different.

Abel looks down at me and smiles before speaking. "Those jeans Brown Eyes. They make your legs look amazing; I can't keep my eyes off them."

"Oh! Um t-thanks Abel." I stutter. "I know my legs aren't as skinny as most people would like."

I'm not a typical thin size 6 girl. I have bigger but toned thighs, a small waist and a relatively large chest. To top it all off, I'm a small girl standing at 5'2 making people think I'm disproportionate. I however, try to always love myself and what I look like no matter what even if it's not what everyone prefers.

Suddenly I'm stopped in the middle of the hallway forcing everyone else to walk around us. Abel looks at me in the eye with a slight frown on his face. "What are you talking about Keziah? You're probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I absolutely love your curves; it gives me something to grab onto." He whispers while pulling me close to him by my hips. This causes us to be touching from head to toe with Abel staring at me intensely.

My heart begins to pound rapidly and I'm almost sure he's about to lean in to kiss me. So instead I whisper back, "Thank you Abel."

"It's my pleasure Brown Eyes."

Abel steps back and puts his arms round my shoulders before leading us down the hallway to our next class.

                              • • •

Today passes by pretty quickly, mostly due to the fact that Abel is with me in most of my lessons. He makes the day seem shorter with his jokes, his conversation and simply just his presence which I've grown to enjoy more and more.

I head towards the common room to meet up with my friends and find Raphael and Israel sitting at our table. That's very strange considering we don't usually speak to them often.

Walking to the table, I see an empty space next to Abel.

Noticing me coming, Abel pushes the chair out for me allowing me to take a seat.

As soon as I sat down, he pulls my chair closer to him and puts his arm around my shoulders.

Obviously, this does not go unnoticed by my friends who give me knowing looks.

"Hey guys." I look towards Raphael and Israel before continuing. "I see you both decided to join us today."

Raph speaks up. "Yeah, Anastasia asked me to sit here." He said with a smile directed at Ana.

"No way!" Shouts Rolo. "You just smiled! I've never seen you do that before man."

Raphael stops smiling and just shakes his head at him.

"You look pretty comfortable there Kez. Having fun in Abel's arms I presume?" Smirks Rani.

"Shut up." I say while throwing some chips at her.

I continue eating my food when Abel steals some of my chips.

"Hey! Do you mind?" I slide my food away from him.

"Not at all actually." He says while stealing some more. Has he never heard of not messing with a girls food.

I roll my eyes at him and look away to find Evelyn and Israel actually talking. Well, Evelyn is doing most of the talking while Israel listens. Interesting, I think to myself.

Eventually, I realise Abel is twirling my braids around his fingers and tugging slightly. He leans in close to me. "I really do love your hair Brown eyes. Especially the red. It looks hot."

I whip my head to face him from that bold statement. "Really?"

"I wouldn't say something I don't mean Brown eyes." He says with a smirk.

Instead of smiling shyly like I normally would, I smirk and push the hair that's fallen in his eyes out of the way. "I like your hair too Abel."

For once, I think I've shocked him. Points for me.

Israel interrupts the moment we were having and asks, "So are you two going out then?"

"W-What? No! We're just friends." I exclaim.

"Sure doesn't look like it."

Abel just smirks and doesn't say a word.

All of a sudden, Eliza gets up and storms out of the room.

"What was that all about?" Asks Roland.

"I'm not sure, I'll go see if she's alright." I reply.

Following the direction Eliza went, I find her in a nearby toilet splashing her face with water.

"What's up with you Eliza? You've been acting weird recently and you've been giving me strange looks."

"Okay Keziah, don't get mad at me. But I like Abel."

I feel myself freeze from shock before replying. "Oh."

"Tell me now if you're interested in him and I'll back off."

"I-I don't know yet, its early I-. Yes I do like him and I would prefer if you didn't attempt anything."

Eliza blows out a breath. "I had a feeling you would say that. It's alright, at least I got it off my chest."

"Yeah." I respond back.

We stand in silence for what seems like an age causing awkwardness to form.

"Well I'm gonna head back now if you want to come with." I say.

"No it's alright, I need to go see Miss Wheeler about my History essay anyway. I'll see you around." She replies.

Eliza walks out leaving me to think about what this might mean for our friendship.

I head back out towards the common room.

"Where's Eliza?" Evelyn asks.

"She needed to see a teacher about something." I respond with my head down.

I continue eating my food before Abel speaks up. "Are you alright Brown eyes?"

"Yeah I'm good. Actually, I have something I need to do so I have to go." I say before standing up.

"Wait, do you want me to take you home after school?"

"No don't worry, Rolo's taking me."

"I am?" Rolo asks.

I shoot him a look. "Yes Rolo, you are."

I turn back to Abel to find him giving me a hurt look. Ignoring the guilt I'm feeling, I pick up my bag, say 'goodbye' to everyone and leave.

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A/N:
What would you have done in this situation? It's never personally happened to me before.
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