"So how could this be done
By such a smiling sweetheart?
Oh, you're so naïve, yet so;
It's such an ugly thing
for someone so beautiful,
That every time you're on his side."
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Siobhan gasped loudly. "Who's there?"
Robin yanked me out of sight just as the two of them turned toward my direction. Without hesitation, he dragged me into a small, dusty janitor's closet that just happened to be unlocked and closed the door behind us.
We were pressed up against each other so closely that I could feel his chest move with every inhale and exhale. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, knowing how wrong it would look if anyone caught us in here.
"Oh my god," I couldn't help but whisper when I heard footsteps grow louder and louder. Immediately, a hand covered my mouth, preventing me from making another sound. Robin's hand was so unnaturally cold that it sent shivers down my spine, and goose bumps broke out over my skin.
Christ, is he a vampire or something?
"Would you do us both a favour and shut up?" he hissed lowly, just as the footsteps came to a stop right outside of the door. From the small slits on the door, I could make out the unmistakeable white flowy dress Siobhan was wearing. The breath hitched in my throat and the both of us froze, praying that they would leave quickly.
"Do you think anyone saw us?" I heard her whisper.
Yuko sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't know."
Please walk away right now. Please.
"You didn't answer my question," Siobhan said quietly, turning to face Yuko. I let out an internal groan, knowing that Robin and I would probably be stuck in here for a while. Why was I such a busybody? I should've just walked away the minute I saw them talking.
"I don't think you wanted to know the answer to that," Yuko replied, and Siobhan took a step closer to him until they were practically centimetres apart. God, was that how Robin and I looked right now? Pressed up against each other? As if Robin could read my thoughts, he tried to adjust himself away from me, but with little success.
"Cover your ears," Robin whispered quietly, his bottom lip brushing against my ear and sending another tidal wave of shivers down my spine. This was so wrong! I didn't even bother to argue with his strange request and quickly yanked my hands over my ears.
Through the slit in the door, I could just barely make out Yuko and Siobhan leaning in closer before Robin shifted the hand that was clamped over my mouth over my eyes, blocking my vision. It only occurred to me a few moments later that this was all Robin could do to protect his friends' privacy.
After what felt like an eternity of holding my breath and trying not to make a sound while simultaneously trying to ignore my rapid beating heart, I heard the pair outside walk away. Robin let go of me as if my skin was made of fire the moment he was sure we were in the clear.
"Oh my god," I breathed, "Oh my god."
"You really shouldn't be eavesdropping," Robin muttered, his cool breath hitting the back of my neck. I closed my eyes tightly and tried to regain my composure, before I heard Robin awkwardly clear his throat.
"What?" I couldn't help but snap.
"The two of them are gone," he stated, and I felt slightly irritated.
"So?"
"You can open the door and let us out now, moron," he muttered, and I could practically imagine him rolling his eyes.
"Oh, right." I felt my cheeks heat up with embarrassment and I quickly reached towards the door. I turned the knob and the both of us tumbled out of the closet, the brightly lit hallway blinding me for a second. I let out a sigh of relief, only to look up and come face to face with a bewildered-looking janitor.
"Did you two...?" the poor man exclaimed, looking back and forth between Robin and me. My cheeks turned several shades darker as I shook my head.
"No, no!" I cried weakly. "Nothing happened!"
"It's none of your business," Robin said to the man in a rather curt manner, before clamping a hand down my shoulder and steering me in the other direction.
"Hey!" I protested, wiggling out of his grip. "Why did you say that? Now he'll definitely think something happened between us!"
"He's a janitor," Robin said, almost monotonously. "In London."
"So?" I huffed, crossing my arms.
"Why are you always so concerned about what other people think about you?" Robin sighed, raising an eyebrow. "This never would've happened if you just minded your own business."
"I just happened to walk by," I defended, crossing my arms.
"You almost got caught."
"You startled me!" I yelped, pointing an accusing finger at him. Rolling his eyes, he swatted my finger away.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" he snapped.
"Siobhan insisted I come," I replied. "She said Jonah wouldn't feel comfortable with her traveling alone."
"And now you know why," Robin scoffed. Didn't have to tell me twice. Jonah probably knew about Yuko and that's why he was so skittish about Siobhan coming to visit.
"How are you friends with Siobhan?" he asked curiously. I glanced at him and pursed my lips, debating whether or not it'd be a good idea to tell him the reason why. I would have never been friends with her if not for you, idiot. Because of you I have a legion of angry fangirls after me.
"We met in the bathroom," I murmured, fiddling with my thumbs.
"She's not the kind to talk to just any stranger," he stated curiously. The familiar blank expression on his face was replaced by something different. Pure, unadulterated curiosity.
"Well, she was helping me," I sniffed, and he raised an eyebrow.
"With?" he said, beckoning me to elaborate.
"With...with stuff!" I huffed, crossing my arms.
"I might be a guy but I'm not an idiot," Robin said. "I know what a period is."
My jaw dropped and I stared at him in horror before shaking my head frantically.
"That's not what happened!" I cried out, this time I was positive I was as red as a tomato. Robin, on the other hand, looked completely calm and collected, as if he hadn't just brought up a super awkward taboo topic.
"So enlighten me," he said with a hefty sigh, rubbing his temples as if I was giving him a headache.
"Just stuff!"
Robin narrowed his eyes, irritation coursing through his icy blues. With a roll of his eyes, he snapped and said, "Whatever."
I groaned aloud before I hurried to catch up with him, afraid of getting lost in the maze of never-ending hallways again.
"What happened to Asher?" I asked curiously when the silence became too overwhelming.
Shooting a glance at me, Robin all but smirked and said, "Stuff."
"Seriously?" I huffed in disbelief. Robin raised an eyebrow at me and shrugged.
"I can keep information to myself if I want, just like you can. If you're really so curious, ask Asher himself," he replied nonchalantly. I pursed my lips, and contemplated whether or not I should tell him what he wanted to know. I didn't understand why it seemed to peak his interest so much. Then, I thought about Asher Dane and the mere suggestion of bringing up a conversation with him was enough to make up my mind.
"Bianca was giving me trouble and she helped me," I muttered angrily in defeat.
"Now, that wasn't too hard, was it?" he cooed sarcastically, making me glare at him.
"Shut up and answer my question."
"Asher's down with a flu," Robin said simply.
My eyes widened slightly, "That's it?"
He cocked his head to the side and pursed his lips.
"It's a rather serious case of flu. He has the sniffles and a runny nose," he said. I tried to ignore how cute he sounded when he said sniffles. Who knew cold and condescending Robin Clair would refer to symptoms of the flu as sniffles?
"He has the sniffles. And a runny nose," I stated incredulously, "And the whole lot of you flew to London so he could see a doctor?"
"Are you stupid? You keep repeating what I said," he scoffed irritably.
"I'm repeating it because it's the most idiotic thing I've ever heard! Why can't you guys just go to a clinic in France?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air.
"Asher prefers his country's doctors better," Robin stated simply, as if it was no big deal. If we were talking about hospitals within the city and his preference of it, it would've been fine. But this was London we were talking about! He couldn't possibly have gone to every single hospital in France, could he? London! He flew to London because he has the flu! London!
"You guys have way too much money," I said exasperatedly.
"Is that so?" Robin quirked his eyebrow in slight confusion.
"Yes, Robin! Normal people would've just gotten some flu medication from the pharmacy and be done with it! Not fly to London and check into an impossibly expensive hospital that looks more like a hotel and be hooked onto an IV drip!"
"It takes effort to eat when you're sick," Robin defended.
"No wonder," I breathed, widening my eyes as I stared at him in new light.
"No wonder what?"
"No wonder you lot are such idiots! Because it requires no effort at all to use your brain!" I snapped, giving him an incredulous look.
"Oh, shut up, Alexandra. As if you know anything about using your brain," Robin scoffed.
"I hate you," I muttered quietly, glaring daggers at him.
"I can hear you," he said.
"Good!"
"Why are you such a bitch?" Robin suddenly snapped, stopping in his tracks and glaring at me. My jaws dropped, and I stared at him in disbelief.
"Did you," I said slowly, "just call me a bitch?"
"What's wrong with stating the truth?" he scoffed, causing me to gasp.
"You asshole! I'm going to find the nearest IV drip stand and plunge it up your arrogant asshole, asshole! I'm going to hurt you so bad your grandchildren will feel my wrath! How dare you call me a bitch, you imbecile! Who the hell—"
The words died in my throat when I saw the furious glint in Robin's eye.
"Looks like you're not just a bitch," he spat, taking a step towards me. "You're a psychotic one too!"
I began to nervously back away from him as he advanced towards me, laughing under my breath.
"H-hey, I didn't mean all that. I mean, I kind of did but I─"
"Shut up, Alexandra."
That shut me up pretty quickly. I squeaked when my back hit the wall and Robin was standing mere inches away from me.
Oh god, I'm going to die! Robin Clair is going to murder me with his cold hands and then bury me somewhere in his probably very big backyard in his probably very big mansion! Where are the nurses and doctors? This hospital is practically deserted!
"You look constipated," Robin deadpanned. My eyebrows cinched together into a frown and I felt my fear get replaced by irritation.
"You are constipated!" I spat back, but he only looked at me with amusement.
"Seriously?"
"Yes! Because you're so full of shit!" I yelled triumphantly.
"You're pissing me off," he hissed. I gulped, suddenly very aware of how close we were. For some reason, the thought of closing the distance between the two of us made my heart pound faster.
"Learn some respect, Alexandra. It'll go a long way in a school like Meilleur," he said, his icy blue eyes never straying from mine.
"Go away," I yelped, using my leaden arms to push him away. He stepped back, but not before casting me a dark look.
"Don't forget what I said, Alexandra. Or you'll regret it," Robin warned before he turned and headed into Asher's room.
❁❁❁
"HEY, LET'S GO sightseeing!" Emily chirped as I entered the room with Robin.
"Now?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.
"No, silly! Tomorrow," Emily laughed. She was in an unusually happy mood, and something tells me it has to do with the white-haired boy lying on the bed next to her. They were still holding hands.
"Sure, I'm down," I shrugged, plopping down on one of the unoccupied sofas. Siobhan and Yuko haven't returned. I had a feeling they found a more private spot and were continuing their...conversation.
"I won't be discharged until tomorrow evening," Asher grumbled. "Why can't you girls hang out here instead?"
"And look at your ugly face all day? No thanks," I said, smirking when he shot me a glare. Asher sniffed and opened his mouth, ready to insult me back, when he suddenly let out a sneeze.
"Achoo!"
The room fell silent. I blinked. Logan and Robin were frozen, staring at their friend slack-jawed. Emily covered her mouth, but not before a little giggle escaped.
"Oh my god!" I blurted out, laughing loudly. At this, we all began to laugh at Asher's high-pitched, girly sneeze.
"What was that, man?" Logan stuttered in between laughs.
"Shut up!" Asher snapped, sinking lower into his bed with his arms crossed. His cheeks and nose were tainted pink from the embarrassment.
"Aren't you guys supposed to be pampering me? I'm a sick man!" Asher protested grumpily, crossing his arms.
Robin rolled his eyes, "You'll be fine, Asher."
"Like hell! I have the sniffles, Robin! I deserve to be treated like a god right now," Asher grumbled. Emily's eyes shined with amusement as she ran a hand through his hair slowly.
"The sniffles!" Logan exclaimed, guffawing loudly and ignoring Asher's murderous glare. An amused smirk remained on Robin's face, but he had long returned to typing on his laptop.
"What you need is rest," Emily murmured, stroking his hair softly. Asher exhaled slowly, his eyes fluttering shut.
He hummed in agreement, "Thanks, Emmy."
Their little moment was disrupted by Logan, who snorted loudly and yelled, "Whipped!"
Asher shut him up by throwing a pillow straight at his face.
❁❁❁
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A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I really do quite like this rewritten chapter hehehe :P
#QOTD: What do you think Siobhan and Yuko were up to when Robin and Alex were hiding in the janitor's closet? Would you like a bonus chapter of Siobhan and Yuko's past?
Song of the Chapter: Naive, by The Kooks.