Unexpected

• Chapter Twenty •

We keep walking for a few minutes until he stops at the top of the cliff. I move closer to where he is and freeze from what I see.

These cliffs over look the rest of the town in such a beautiful way. Directly beneath is the large lake that is surrounded by several cabins. Looking further ahead, I see acres of greenery that circle the town. The fact that our school is called Avalon Forest makes a lot of sense right now.

"Wow." I say in awe.

We stand there for a few more minutes taking in the orange-red sunset slowly disappearing.

Abel sighs and sits down with his legs hanging off the edge.

I follow suit and wait for him to speak.

"I'm sorry Brown Eyes."

I don't respond.

"I shouldn't have ignored you all week, that was low of me."

"Then why did you?"

"Can you seriously not figure it out Keziah?" He asks with frustration.

"No Abel. I'm not a mind reader. If you'd just talk to me rather than shutting me out like a child, then maybe I would understand." I say with a raised voice.

Abel flinches at my tone and runs his hands through his hair. "What's going on with you and Noah?"

"Are you kidding me right now? I'm trying to talk to you about what's going on with us and you're bringing up Noah?" I scoff at him and shake my head.

"This is about us Keziah! Don't you get it yet? I. Was. Jealous. You bring Noah around and all of a sudden your touchy feely with him. How come you're never like that with me? You know I like you Keziah but if you don't feel the same, I'd rather you tell me than shove it in my face."

Instead of responding I start laughing. What starts as a small chuckle turns into a full on laugh.

Abel gives me a hurt look before facing away.

"So you were ignoring me all week because I made a new friend? Why couldn't you just tell me this Abel?"

"Because I didn't want to push you or make you feel as if I was pressuring you to reciprocate my feelings."

"Considering how confident you usually are, it's a shock to see your insecurities coming out." I take a deep breath. "You're so stupid Abel. I like you so much it hurts. I didn't tell you because I was scared. Noah and I are just friends Abe. It's you that I want." I end with a whisper.

Abel doesn't reply straight away so I pull at the strands of grass afraid to look in his direction.

"You don't know how long I've been waiting for you to say that Brown Eyes."

He starts to move closer to me and lean downwards but instead of kissing him, I shove him away and slap his arm as hard as possible.

"Don't ever do that again, you had me thinking I'd done something awful. It was a childish way to act Abel."

Abel pouts his lips and widens his eyes to give me his puppy look. I have to admit, it's really cute.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

I stare at him for a second before he pushes his lips out even more.

"Fine."

"I knew you couldn't resist me."

"Don't push your luck boy."

Abel just chuckles at me. I've missed that sound. And his smell. His smell is one of my favourite things about him.