20.

"Psst. Alex!"

I whipped my head around, eager to hear his honey sweet voice again. Aether was standing by a wide tree, easily disguising him with this oversized trunk. I began subtly walking towards the walking sun ray- or rather trying to be subtle, but my excitement to see him was creeping on me, pushing my legs faster towards him. When I was close enough, Aether ducked behind the tree and reached out for my waist. My head was found on his muscular chest, locked in a spine braking hug. Aether gave me one last squeeze, taking the last breath I had left, only to attack me with quick pecks all over my face, his lips popping of each time with a very dramatic Muah! He finally settled me down, but still holding my hand. I breathed in hard, sucking in as much as I lost, before choking on my saliva at the embodiment of perfection itself. He chuckled at my antics a little, before beginning to speak.

"How was class? Was the quiz as bad as you thought?" His eyes sparkled, anticipating my answer. My chest ached at his impatience. To have some want and listen to  what you have to say, even if it was utter nonsense, was an indescribable feeling. Like the emptiness has been filled with your thoughts about what you did and what you have to say, instead of reviewing the day alone, with no input or advice.

I smiled so wide, my cheeks felt as if they were being stretched to capacity.

"It was actually pretty easy. Now I think I have a better chance at being able to skip that class." Aether's reaction only fuelled my thoughts, happy to finally have someone listen and even want to me make talk more. Aether smiled wildly, to match mine, showing his prefect, straight teeth. Before he could ask anymore, the finally bell rung, giving us a good 10 seconds to say our goodbyes and sprint to class. In sync, our smiles dropped and we laughed at our reactions. I gave a quick goodbye and was about to start up a jog, but Aether whisked me back in, and placed his lips on mine. Before I could react, his lips where off mine as quick as they where on. He waved enthusiastically and ran off, looking back once more to flash me one of my favourite, crooked smiles, then sprinted off. I was dumbfound, stuck by the tree, giddy about the kiss and his smile as he looked back. I stood there, replaying the scene over and oer again, before I realised I was horribly late for class. Freaking out, I gave it my all and ran to class. As I walked in, my eyes did a quick scan over the students, like it normally did, before I headed to my designated spot. My eyes caught a blob of red hair, in the back of the class. I knew him, it was Tom. Like every school has, he was the dick of the class, and together with his gang, they terrorise the school. He had never bothered me, only once, when I first transferred. As soon as I gave him no reaction, be gave up and searched for someone else to mess with. Just because he had left me alone, didn't mean I didn't hate him. He was a bitch, but all the teachers let him off easy using the same excuse, 'He's had a hard time.' The hard time being his daddy doesn't love him and left him at a young age. Though, that his sad and traumatic, for some unknown reason, he is the only one who gets away with shit, even if people just like him mess up the slightest, they get suspended for weeks on end. I glanced his way, but he stared back, a disgusted look written all over his face, as if I was a germ, a disease he hopes not to catch. I roll my eyes, and sit down, focusing on the work. I didn't think much about it, he gives everyone dirty stares, its not the end of the world.

Or so I thought.

I trudged into the school grounds, unusually tired. I was a morning person, waking up came to me effortlessly. But today, for some reason, I could not find the strength to get out of bed. In the end, I did, only because I knew it was friday, and I might as well get it over with, and anyways, if I was still tired but third period I could just waltz out and knock out at the nurses office.

Walking into my first class of the day. I was greeted by ringing voices, and a frantic arm flinging around, as if trying to fling it off. That arm belonged to Gwen, who smiled wide when my eyes met hers. Next to her was Eternity, who gave me a smirk, which I gracefully returned. I flopped down on my seat next to Gwen, then slammed my head on the desk, ready to do a five minute power nap.

"That's odd. Normally you're full of energy at this horrendous time of day." Eternity commented, watching me with suspicious eyes. Gwen looked concerned, and patted my head comfortingly. I smiled up at her gratefully, before I remembered what I had to speak to her about.

"Gwen, I appreciate you watching over as and cheering us on, but did you really have to watch us in the room yesterday? Don't get me wrong, You're one of the best friends i've ever had, but Aether and I want a little privacy." Gwen cocked an eyebrow at me, eyes wide.

"Alex. I haven't been watching you when you're with Aether." My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. There was no one else who knew where we were, except Gwen and Eternity. I meant to speak, but my thoughts where scattered. I paused, then croaked,

"Then who? I- We- we saw someone watching..." I was one blink away from a full blown panic attack, but Eternity slapped my cheek, shaking me out of it.

"Relax, at least for this class. Once we're out, we'll meet with Aether and talk about this." My breath slowed, chewing over her words. I nodded slowly, only because I had little energy left. We left it at that, but I was distracted the whole class, I couldn't stop worrying about it. As soon as the class ended, the three of us stood up and walked out of the door, until Gwen and Eternity came to an erupt stop.

"What the fuck!?" The volume and anger in Gwens normal, high pitched happy voice made me flinch. I watched her stomp, fuming, towards the locker in direct view of the door. There was a piece of paper, attached with a bit of tape. Gwen ripped it off with such force, her nails noisily scrap against the locker. She balled it up and slammed it into the bin like a basketball, before beginning to run around the hall and do the same thing to all the posters. I walked out to see what all the fuss was about, but stopped dead in my tracks when I stepped on one of the papers. Eternity stood still, as shocked as I was, and Gwen gave me a sorrow look, as if she didn't want me to see. On the flyer, it had a picture of me and Aether kissing in black and white, with the word that made my blood run cold, typed in bold black.

My fist tightened up, crinkling the paper in my hands. My ears where ringing, eyes dry and tight. I was livid, not only did this expose me, but Aether too, which is what I was most worried about. At the end of the hall, I saw that same mess of red hair, Tom laughing his ass off at the reactions of me, and everyone around. I couldn't see straight anymore, my legs moved faster then I could blink. A swift breeze blew by and next thing I knew, I had Tom up on the locker, fist tight on his collar, about to throw everything I had at him, when and defined, tan arm lunged at me, pulling me close to him, before landing a deadly hit on Toms face.

Aether.