I wake up in the morning five minutes before my alarm is set to go off, and as I sit there for the first time in all of my high school career, I've never had the chance to hear the birds chirping in the freshly new morning air. A small smile flutters across my lips as I sit on my bed, soaking in the beautiful sounds and enjoying the sunlight that pools through my open window. When my alarm clock finally goes off, I lean over nice and calmly to shut it off. I love this new change, it's so much more peaceful as opposed to my usual frantic throwing-on-whatever-is-clean kinda of day.

I'm able to actually shift through my clean clothes and pick an outfit that actually matches, and I have time to for once make myself look nice. I brush my unruly auburn hair and pluke out the few stray eyebrow hairs I've been neglecting, and once I've finished, I look at myself in the mirror and see a neatly clothed, brushed and groomed stranger staring back at me. It's amazing what a hairbrush and time will do to someone's appearance, and I'm immensely happy with the results.

I'm joyful and light as I make my way downstairs to the kitchen and rifle through the cabinets for something easy. Even though I have time to actually cook a proper breakfast, its still early in the morning and despite my rejuvenating burst of energy, I don't feel like using my new found time to make breakfast when I can just have a quick and stress-free granola bar with almonds and sweet peanut butter. Not the best breakfast, but still good nonetheless. And still with time to spare, I head upstairs to grab my coat and backpack before lesurely walking to the bus stop.

I'm so happy with myself when I turn the last bend before the corner where the bus picks everyone up, and I see the small group of kids waiting. They glance at me when I appear, calm and collected and my hair windblown free, and an immediate wave of gossip sweeps amongst them.

I don't care about what they're saying as I easily slip in amongst them, but I still leave my ears open to hear what they're saying.

"Is he a new student? He's kinda cute," a girl whispers.

"No, that's Beau Bayes," replies a boy.

"He looks so much different . . ." whispers a girl.

I start to tune out after that, because surely the negative comments will follow soon enough. As the whispers continue around me, I hear the distant clunk of the school bus rolling our way, and either my ears are lying to me or I'm also hearing . . .

Christian, I think with a smile as he pulls his motorcycle to the side of the road. He glances amongst the crowd, and I see his face when he spots me, and a wave of heat rushes over me. Christian's face switches through a multitude of expressions ranging from pleasant surprise to a "that's my man" kind of pride.

I grin as he beckons to me, while the people confusedly speculate over who he's gesturing towards. An I've never felt more happy or proud as I do in this moment, as I push my way through the cluster of bodies sporting expressions of shock and jealousy. I want to flaunt the fact that Christian is here for me, but I'm more humble than that and instead I accept the helmet he offers me. The only flunting and rubbing of their faces I do, is gently clasping Christian's cheeks between my hands and kissing him squarely on the mouth before I climb on the bike. I hear him chuckle and he yells for me to hold on over the powerful roar of his motorcycle, and then we're leaving our dumbfounded classmates in the dust.

Yup, I'm on cloud nine for sure.

When we reach the school, Christian waits for me to climb off and cuts the engine before he glances up at me. A ghost of a smile is playing on his lips, and he slowly moves his eyes along my body, taking note of every little detail before he says, "You know, I went to your house excepting to find you with your shirt on backwards with one leg in your jeans." Christian admits with a laugh; I blush. "What I wasn't expecting, is this nicely dressed beauty who stands before me."

My blush deepens as I shyly dig my toe into the gravel, and peek up at him from beneath my lashes as I mumble, "So you were expecting a disaster?"

Christian laughs and stands up, he grabs my hands and says, "Yes, a red-faced, inside-out dressed beauty."

I can't help myself, I laugh too and cry, "Do I usually look that bad?"

Christian just grins and tucks a loose hair back into place and replies, "Sorry, Beau, but I don't like you based on your ability to dress yourself every morning."

I laugh again and cover my red face as I cry, "Stop it, I'm know I'm a mess!"

Christian chuckles and squeezes my hand as he leans in to whisper, "Yes, and you're my mess."

My cheeks turn an even deeper red and can't bring myself to meet Christian's gaze, or I just know I'll faint due to heatstroke. We walk towards the school hand and hand, and whispers follow us from the parking lot through the hallways all the way to the cafeteria. We weave our way through the crowded lunch room and step over backpacks that have spilled across the floor, and when we reach our table in the back by the bay windows, Christian pulls out my chair and cheekily murmurs, "Beau...."

I sit down with a blush and a mumbled, "Thank you." And not even a moment after, JoAnna's head perks up as if smelling our new relationship in the air as she cries, "Oh my god, are you two dating!?"

I bite my bottom lip and glance over at Christian, who smiles at JoAnna's question and peeks over at me before gently lacing our fingers together as he softly replies, "Yes."

I blush, and lean my chin in my open palm as I openly ogle Christian. He's so incredibly adorable, I think as I watch his cheeks turn a soft shade of pink as JoAnna squeals and does a little victory dance in her chair while singing, "Christian for the win; Garrett in the hole! Whoop whoop!"

"When did this happen?" Kat asks curiously with a smile.

"Last night," I reply back dreamly.

I know I must look ridiculous, with rainbows and daisies shooting out around me, but I don't care. I deserve this, and I'm going to relish in my joy for as long as I want, and whoever doesn't like it can go walk off a very short cliff because I'm long overdue for some happiness.

"We're so happy for you," Megan says with a small smile.

"Thank you, Megs," I smile.

"I think we should celebrate!" JoAnna cries.

Peter laughs and says, "Why? It's not like they're getting married, Jo."

JoAnna rolls her eyes, "Obviously, I realize that Peter. I'm just saying because for once, Beau is actually dating someone we don't want to secretly run over with our cars . . ."

"You don't even drive!" Peter laughs.

"Hypothetically speaking!" JoAnna replies.

Peter just laughs and rolls his eyes, while everyone else turns expectantly to look at Christian and I.

"Well, what do you say?" JoAnna asks.

A small blush colors my cheeks as I glance up at Christian and mumble, "What do you want to do?"

Christian shakes his head and mutters, "No, Beau, you decide. I'll be happy with whatever you choose, just do what feels right."

My blush deepens, and I nervously bite my lip and fiddle with my fingers as I mumble, "Um, o-okay, um.... Maybe-Maybe we can go bowling?"

JoAnna grins and claps her hands, and chirps, "Brilliant idea!" And then she jumps from her seat and quickly kisses my cheek and pinches Christian's before grabbing Jordan's hand, who looks dead tired on his feet, and yanks him from his chair. "See you at lunch, love you guys!" she cries as she drags Jordan from the cafeteria.

After Jordan and JoAnna leave, Kat glances at Christian and points at him as she sternly says, "If you hurt our Beau, I'll smother you in your sleep."

I gasp at her and cry, "Kat!"

She just gives me the stank eye, as if daring me to go against her, before she's leaving the table. I frown after her and glance over at Christian and reassuringly pat his arm. "Don't worry, she's just kidding," I say with a nervous laugh.

Christian looks at me doubtfully, and I sigh before mumbling, "Okay, she wasn't kidding."

Christian laughs humorlessly and leans toward me, his forehead touches mine and he whispers, "I promise never to hurt you, Beau, I hope you believe me."

I feel a shiver roll across my skin, and I shakly mutter, "I-I believe you."

And I do, I can see Christian's sincerity shining through in his eyes. He won't hurt me —- not on purpose, and hopefully not even then. A small smile flutters across my lips, and softly I mutter with more conviction, "I believe you, Christian."

Christian sighs and smiles before gently kissing my forehead, and he whispers, "Thank you."

I smile and whisper, "You're welcome," and then we drift back into an easy conversation with Peter and Megan before the first bell rings, inevitably forcing us to class.

Word count: 1,617

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A/N: Hello, lovelies! 😌 I just love Beau's comfortability with Christian, anyone else? 😄

Anyway, thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed the update! Have a lovely day/night!

Love from,
BunnyBaekkiee ❤️