Tangled Dreams (32 page)

“What’s wrong Gavin? You look worried all of a sudden.”

“Nothing, I’m fine. I just want to make sure you get to your first class alright.”

“Okay.” I said loading my books into my arms shutting my locker door. Looking up at him giving him the best smile I could muster. Smiling back, I could tell he was worried about something.

“Lets go babe.” He said putting his arm around my shoulder pulling me in close walking me to my first class. Getting to my classroom he pulled me in for a hug and gave me a kiss on the forehead letting me go.

“Find me if you need me Maddie.”

“Okay, but I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I smiled reassuringly.

“Humor me.”

“Alright.” I said walking away to sit in my seat with people filing in behind me staring at us. Looking back up he was gone and I was relieved and sad all at the same time. The day drug on relentlessly with no end in sight. After every class Gavin was waiting by my locker. “Sweetie, it’s okay, quit worrying so much.” I said leaning up to kiss him. “Everyone knows we’re together now anyways. It’ll be old news by the end of the day.”

“I’m not worried about everyone. I’m worried about a certain one. He’s already shown he couldn’t handle losing you. Then to spread those disgusting rumors. He’s not right. I don’t know why I didn’t see this before about him. After all, Eric is his best friend.”

Looking at him I knew we were up against incredibly bad odds and I wasn’t naive enough to think that we weren’t. He walked me to my next class and every class after that. When the last class was over and I got to my locker I was surprised to find Gavin wasn’t waiting for me. Maybe he just got held up or came to his senses and realize nothing bad was going to happen to me. Pulling down books from the top of my locker my hand slipped and one fell to the ground. Bending over to pick it up a hand touched mine grabbing it for me. Smiling thinking it was Gavin I stood up and stared into the eyes of Clay. “Clay, what are you doing?” Thoroughly tired of seeing his face. “If Gavin sees you here he’ll kill you. I’m not being sarcastic. I think he might actually inflict severe bodily harm upon you Clay.”

“I’m not worried about him.” Leaning in close to me.

“Clay. Please leave.” I said looking around for Gavin.

“No, I don’t think I will.”

“Well, what do you want? And make it quick!”

“I wanted to tell you that you look beautiful. Green always looked gorgeous on you.” He said staring at my shirt then into my eyes.

“What did you think you were doing to me at Prom?”

“I was trying to show you how much I love you Madison.”

“You were not! You.. You.. You were going take me home with you. You realize when you do that against someone’s will that is considered kidnapping.” I whispered.

“Your being ridiculous.” He said grunting to himself. “I would never do that to you. I love you to much.”

“That’s funny. No one that I have ever known would ever do that to someone they loved.”

“I really don’t know what I did wrong. I could tell you were into it. Admit it.”

Almost laughing now, “I was never into it. You’ve gone stark raving mad.” I wanted to yell and scream at him knowing it would do no good at all.

“If Gavin wasn’t in the picture, you would be with me and you know it.”

“Well, Gavin is in the picture and always will be. I love Gavin! Not You!”

“C’mon Madison. Admit it you do have feelings for me.”

“Clay, leave now.” Gavin said walking up behind me staring him down.

“That’s okay. I was done for now anyways. Bye sweetie.” He said giving sweetie emphasis. “I’ll see you soon.” He said smirking and walking off.

“C’mon Maddie.” Gavin said putting his hand on my back steering me down the hall to the front doors.

“Gavin where were you?” I said in utter despair.

“Damn it! The one time I get held up in class he jumps on you. He isn’t going to give up. He’s going to be harder to shake off than I thought.” Angry putting my jacket around my shoulders for me to slip on. Getting to the truck he pulled me across the seat to sit next to him and put his arms around me.

“How are we going to do this Gavin?”

“Hey, I better not be hearing regret in your voice.” Pulling away to look at me.

“Never. I would never. And you?”

“Yeah right. You know the answer to that. Lets get out of here.” Starting the rickety old truck up I sat as close to him as possible.

Looking up at him, “Why so worried Gavin?”

Flashing the best smile he could muster, “I’m okay babe. See smiling?” Giving me an even cheesier grin.

Laughing, “Alright that was convincing.”

“So, why the worried look on your face Maddie?”

“I guess I’m worried William will know about us even before we get home.”

“Your being silly Maddie.”

“Really am I? Cause I think it’s totally possible in this town.” I complained. Wiping the smirk off his face.

“Ya know, not to scare you but your right. That is possible in this town. Shit!”

“What?”

“Now you have me paranoid!”

Laughing, “Sorry.”

“No, but I have a feeling someone is going to try and make us.” He said turning onto our road. Sliding away from him before we got to the house. Looking across the seat at me, “I hate it that you have to do that.” He said grabbing my hand and squeezing it.

“I hate it to. Promise me that it won’t be this way forever Gavin.”

“I promise Maddie.” Winking at me. Getting out we both went into the house where he retreated up to his room to change for chores. I retreated to do homework like so many other days. I was worried that he had to go out and work with William. I was still paranoid about William finding out realizing it was inevitable after today. It wasn’t a matter of if he would find out anymore, it was a matter of when he would find out. And that frankly scared the hell out of me. I knew Gavin was strong. I however, am only seventeen and knew he could get me out of Gavin’s life by what ever means necessary. Gavin and I blew passed all boundaries and there was no going back. Not making love again since that night. Frankly I was scared to again thinking William might catch us. Gavin has been the perfect gentlemen not once pushing me to do anything. He knew I was scared and that I had all these mixed emotions swirling around in me. Not one in doubt of our relationship that wasn’t it at all. I just wanted our next time to be just us, with having any worries of someone walking in. I wanted it to be even more perfect than the first time, if that was possible.

Everyday that has passed I have felt lucky that William was none the wiser about our relationship. Always careful around home, only spending time with each other after everyone went to bed. Always feeling like everyday that we made it through was a tiny miracle. School still sucked in the worse sort of way. Clay hadn’t given up on pursuing me and quit dating any other girls. This worried me even more. Gavin always keeping watch over me without trying to be to obvious. He had managed to thwart any attempts by Clay on trying to talk to me. Knowing it was only a matter of time before he was able to corner me again.

The school days rolled on and waking up one early morning I felt sick to my stomach. Looking over at the clock it read only three in the morning. Moaning, I just wanted to roll over and fall back asleep. But, my rolling stomach had other ideas. Getting out of bed I knocked my lamp over in my attempt to get down stairs really fast. Running down to the second floor I instantly unloaded my stomach in the stool. Trying to be as quiet as possible since aunt Julia’s and Williams room was next door. I could hear William vibrating the walls with his snoring so I knew I was alright. But, it was hard being quiet when my stomach was convulsing violently. Thinking I must have had food poisoning or something I just rested my head on the toilet praying for a fast death. Hearing the bathroom door open I moaned leaning back praying it wasn’t Julia. Gavin walked in, wearing his boxers sleepy eyed. Even as sick as I was I was still thinking how absolutely handsome he is right now.

“Maddie, are you alright?” He whispered leaning down beside me closing the door.

“Gavin, I’m so sick.” I whined trying not to puke again in front of him. But, my stomach wasn’t having it. Leaning over the toilet again I emptied whatever was left in my stomach and started to cry from the horrible nausea and pain. I could feel him holding my hair back and wetting a wash cloth and placing it on my neck and I loved him so much in that moment. What guy would do this in the middle of the night?

“Madison. Babe let’s get you back up to bed.” Lifting me up in his arms.

“Gavin, I feel so sick.”

“I know baby.” He said grabbing the antacid relief on his way out. “You’ll be okay. I’ll take care of you.” Putting me back into bed he placed the wash cloth on my forehead and got my garbage can setting it beside the bed. Curling up behind me he stroked my now sweaty hair out of my face kissing me on the neck singing softly just barely above a whisper into my ear. I remember thinking how soothing his voice was and how surprisingly good he sounded. Not realizing that he could sing at all. Not recognizing the song but, thinking it was beautiful. It was enough to make me fall asleep. A few hours later I woke up again to Gavin getting out of my bed.

“Gavin?”

“Yeah babe?”

“Where are you going?” I asked groggy my throat still throbbing.

“I have to go out and do chores babe. Are you going to be alright? Do you want me to go get mom?”

“No, I feel better. I’ll be alright.”

“I’ll tell her you won’t be down to help with breakfast.” He said sitting on the edge of the bed kissing my forehead looking really sad.

“Are you alright Gavin?” Sighing and looking down at his feet.

“Yeah, I’m alright. It just scares me seeing you like that. I know it’s not the manly thing to feel like, but I hate seeing you that sick.”

“I’m okay Gavin. Really.”

“I know but, you were really sick. When you finally did fall asleep you tossed and turned a lot.”

“I’m sorry. You should of went back to your room so you could get some sleep.”

“Maddie, would you if the roles were reversed?”

“Never.” I admitted.

“I rest my case.” Saying slowly getting up and heading downstairs.

Getting up myself I prepared myself for school. I wasn’t missing school. I didn’t care what anyone said. I did feel better and chalked it up to a stomach bug. Walking downstairs breakfast was already over and that I was happy about because I couldn’t eat a thing even if I wanted to. Julia had already left early to take the girls to school because, she had to meet up with their teachers before school. I really don’t know what that’s about. I’m sure it’s nothing. Going to the fridge I grabbed the OJ, and a glass and sat down and waited for Gavin to come in. I still had a splitting headache from all the vomiting and laid my head down on the hard cool table waiting for the throbbing to go away.

“Maddie! What are you doing?” Gavin asked as he came into the kitchen.

“What does it look like? I’m waiting on you.”

“Why are you waiting on me? Cause your not going to school.”

“Oh yes I am.” I said already deciding I was not going to back down.

“Maddie, you were so sick last night.”

“And now I feel better. There is no use arguing with me Gavin. I’m going.”

Sighing he knew she would never budge. She was so stubborn. Running upstairs he quickly changed and came back down. “Alright. Ready?” Asking annoyed.

“Yup, let’s go.”

“Your crazy Maddie. You bet your ass I wouldn’t be going to school if I was that sick.”

“I know you wouldn’t. However, I like school and I got to keep my GPA up.”

“I know. I know.” Winking at me. “Your to cute.” Getting into the truck we were on our way. “So, you are feeling better then?”

“Oh sure.”

“Um yeah. That sounds like a lie.”

“I’ll be alright Gavin. Don’t worry.”

“Okay, I can’t argue with the most stubborn person in the world.”

“Second to you sweetie.” I said flashing a smile. Laughing he just shook his head and drove on.

Getting to school I finally got to my first class only to find out that we were having a cooking lesson for the junior class. How to eat healthy and we were all supposed to write reports on how beneficial it can be in the long run. Sitting here miserable I soon realized I should of stayed home. Now, having to see Clay with no possibility of Gavin bailing me out was giving me serious anxiety. Gavin was going to be all sorts of angry. He couldn’t watch me every second of every day. Everyone was then shuffled into the home economic classroom where they opened up the class room next to it also, adding more seats. I decided to sit at a round table in a back corner as far away from the food as possible. Truth was I still didn’t feel good and the very sight of food wasn’t sounding very good to me. Even thinking about it was making me sick. Putting my head down on my books I closed my eyes waiting on everyone to come in and sit down and class to start. When I opened back up my eyes I noticed everyone pretty much sat as close to the front as possible. Free food makes everyone pay attention all of a sudden. Putting my head back down I heard a chair slide next to me and someone sitting down. I felt someones hand on my head touching my hair. Thinking it was Andrea I lifted my head to find Clay sitting next to me. Sighing now, annoyed more than anything. “Clay what do you want? What are you doing?”

Smirking at me. “I just wanted to sit next to my favorite girl.”

“I don’t have time for this.” I said starting to get up right when the teacher came in and ordered everyone to sit down so we could get started. He just sat there smug quite happy with himself. I just sighed and damned my luck knowing that this day was only going to get worse.

“Madison. Why can’t we at least try to be friends?” He leaned over and whispered into my ear.

“Oh yeah, I’ve heard that one before. Well, save it. It’s not going to work this time.” I whispered back to him. Scooting the chair away from him in which he scooted closer. By then everyone was talking quietly while the teacher was getting everything ready for the class. One of the teachers got some sort of already made casserole out of the oven and I got a whiff of it and I felt my stomach start to convulse violently. Holding my stomach tightly I brought my legs up and close to my stomach and rested my forehead on my knees. My eyes closed I tried to take deep breaths waiting for the nausea to subside. But, it just wasn’t. I could feel myself wanting to get sick again.