Untameable

Six-Brotherly Confession

Trisha POV

I woke with a headache. It felt like I had been rammed in the stomach by a battering ram while my head was simultaneously pressed between the jaws of a giant nutcracker. I moaned and sat up. The school nurse sat nearby, reading a novel and drinking a coffee. He was dressed in a traditional white lab coat and scrubs. His gentle blue eyes scanned the pages as his shaggy black hair tickled his cheeks. The nurse looked up at me then.

“Ah about time you woke up,” he set the book and mug down. Then he came to my side, “Lunch is starting soon. Seems you just needed a nap. Have you been sleeping ok? You look as though you’re feeling better.” I yawned and stretched. “I’ve been sleeping fine. Or at least I thought I did. Ah well, thank you for letting me rest, Nurse Springer.”

He nodded to me and smiled brusquely. I then stood and hurried out of the office. I’d slept through all of art then. At least I didn’t sleep through Lunch. I began heading back toward art, when I remembered Gavin was still there in class. I had left behind my portfolio, binder, and art kit. Eh, I’d just get it before lunch ended. I didn’t want to be around Gavin. Instead, I redirected my steps to the cafeteria, where I saw students already entering the various lines for lunch. Today’s entrée options were lasagna or meatloaf. Two of my favorite dishes. The other lines were the daily Pizza and salad bar, or deli sandwich line.

I entered the lasagna line. My stomach growled as the line moved and I grabbed a tray, loading it with a sizeable portion, salad, roll, and brownie dessert. Then chose a bottled water as my drink. Just as I left the line, the lunch bell rang and I retreated to my usual corner table where I waited for Erik and Daisy. I was glad I was able to get my lunch before the rush.

It wasn’t long before Erik joined me with his meager deli sandwich. It always astounded me how little he ate, yet he maintained a muscular physique. “What happened during P.E.? And why weren’t you in art class? I waited outside your class but you didn’t come out. I was worried.”

I paused in my half eaten lunch and met his gaze. I sighed and set down my fork. “I’m not sure. I was just feeling sick all morning. Maybe it had been food poisoning or something…I don’t know.” I resumed eating and swallowed, “The nurse told me I haven’t been sleeping enough and that I needed a nap. So I guess maybe it was that.” But was it really? I always only felt strangely around Gavin, the closer I got to him the worse it was. And what about what Erik had said, about Gavin liking me? Was it normal for crushes to illicit such feelings from one another?

I wouldn’t know because I never had one. Unless what I was experiencing was exactly that. Or maybe it was simply my period. Erik flashed me a toothy grin then, disturbing my thoughts. “Well, I’m glad you’re ok. But man oh man you should’ve seen Gavin after you bolted! It was like he took off his shirt just for you and-” I spluttered, choking on my half swallowed lasagna. I hurried and chugged down my water.

He took his shirt off…just for me!? What!? No, Erik had to be exaggerating!! “Breathe, Trish, breathe,” Erik soothed, rubbing my back as I finally managed to swallow. “What do you mean he took his shirt off just for me?” I asked at last. Erik laughed.

“Honestly, you cannot be that dense. I’m a guy and even I noticed. He was looking directly at you when he did it, watching for your response. Smiling only at you…for you. Once you left, his mood soured almost immediately and he put his shirt back on. And completely ignored all the other girls.” Erik explained, picking at his sandwich. My mouth dropped.

Gavin liked…me? No. No. I couldn’t believe it. He had to be gay or something. There’s no way he was genuinely interested in me. He had to be eying Erik. He was a looker after all. Besides, guys always just wanted me for my body, nothing more.

“Are you sure he wasn’t trying to impress some guy? And that guy disappointed him by not reciprocating his feelings? Like...you?” I asked. I knew I was pulling straws, and the look on Erik’s face indicated similar with an added touch of annoyance.

“You’re talking about Gavin, sweetheart. You know, royal background, chivalrous gentleman with a God’s body? Yes, I’ve heard the rumors, and you saw those abs. He’s just as straight as I am. And he’s only got eyes for you.” I glared at Erik. “You can’t possibly say that after not even one day!” Erik flicked my nose then, a habit he had when he was annoyed with me.

“I’m a guy, Trish. If I were to pull s**t like that, It’s because there’s a single girl I had my eye on and I was trying to get her attention. Sooner or later, you’ve got to come out of your denial.”

“Pssft, if you say so Erik. Anyway, how was band and chemistry?” at the mention of chemistry, Erik rolled his head and slumped his head to the table. “Daisy is going to be the end of me! Can I trade first period with you? You can deal with her non-stop competitive streak always causing problems. You’re rubbing off on her, I tell you! And not in a good way, either,” he groaned and I laughed.

“What’s wrong with being me?” I asked, finishing my lunch and tossing the scraps in the nearby trash bin before adding my tray to the pile above. I returned to his side. “Nothing-when you’re you. But Daisy almost started a riot, I swear, and-” but he broke off when just then, Daisy, and to my dismay, Gavin, joined us.

“Hey Trish, mind if I have a friend join us?” I clenched my jaw. In the ranks of the factions, Daisy wasn’t the highest. She was the second lowest actually, of all 4 tiers. I had a feeling Gavin used his higher faction to get her to let him join us for lunch. I narrowed my eyes at Gavin, but smiled pleasantly at Daisy.

Although I preferred not, I wouldn’t deny the request. Gavin hadn’t truly done anything to warrant me not to like him. I just got sick when he was around. And continued to embarrass myself. Speaking of which, he was right there…and I felt fine. Maybe it had just been sleep after all and I worked myself up.

“Sure,” I told her and her face lit up. “Trisha, I’ve…actually got a confession,” she said as they sat down, Gavin scooting way closer to me than comfortable, but if I moved any further away, I’d shove Erik off the bench. Erik had fallen strangely silent, not even greeting Daisy, which wasn’t normal. I would have to ask him later. Maybe Daisy had truly got on his nerves this morning.

I raised a brow at Daisy. “Confession? Is this about your crush, because if so, Erik and I already-” Suddenly Daisy flew across the table and pressed her hands over my mouth as she whispered, “Shhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!” I laughed and pulled her hands off.

“It’s not that! But thanks for almost spilling my secret!” I noticed Gavin watching in silence, seemingly amused. I chose to ignore him, but I couldn’t help but feel my heart race at his close proximity. I also hadn’t failed to notice his earthy spice cologne still made me light headed and I couldn’t get enough of the scent. “What do you need to confess?” I asked her, swallowing down everything I was feeling.

She smiled then, settling down with her Pizza. “So…Gavin is kinda my brother,” to this both Erik and I had our mouths drop. “What!?” I exclaimed. Daisy giggled and took a large bite of pizza to avoid responding. I looked at Gavin and back at Daisy. But…no. There was no way! He didn’t look anything like her! And why was he just coming to school now? I knew Daisy was a year younger than me, and a Junior while I, a senior, but…wow.

Gavin laughed and smiled, feigning jazz hands, “Surprise!” I wasn’t sure what to say. I looked at Daisy. “I knew you had a twin sister, but why didn’t you tell me you had any brothers? Why am I just hearing about him now?” Daisy laughed with a shrug, “It never came up.” My eyes returned to Gavin who straightened.

“Perhaps I should explain. I just transferred from a boarding school from out of country. The curriculum and culture were just too much for me.” I nodded, though I flt skeptical. I wasn’t sure I believed it, but what reason was there not to? I asked, “But why didn’t you say that earlier? When you introduced yourself to me?”

He sighed and took a bite if his meatloaf before responding. “Well, Daisy often wrote to me. The last month, she told me all about her amazing new friend. That would be you, Trisha. That’s why your behavior was not shocking to me.” He offered his hand.

“Start over? Sorry I wasn’t forthcoming, I was hoping to be friends without her having to introduce us.” Behind me, I heard Erik scoff like he didn’t believe him. I blinked, my mouth opening and closing. What was I supposed to say to that? Instead I reluctantly shook his hand. The moment our skin made contact, erotic and pleasurable tingles and shocks travelled across my skin where he touched. I barely suppressed a gasp.

So it was him doing this to me…or at least, doing something. Or maybe I was overthinking again. He did say his shoes generate static shock, so that had to be it. Or maybe he wore some kind of skin product I was allergic to? But why hadn’t it made a popping sound if it was static? Why wasn’t it painful? I was thinking too much again. I pushed the thoughts away.

I pulled my hand back. “Nice to meet you…officially…again,” I murmured, deciding it would be better to turn back to Daisy. “Why were you late for lunch?” I asked, changing the subject. Daisy laughed. “I had to rescue this nincompoop from the library before he disappeared and no one saw him again. He loves libraries.”

Just then, Erik seemed to leave his funk and elbowed my side playfully, causing me to press up against Gavin. Our contact ignited the pleasure jolts…or rather sparks, where we made contact. “Just like you, eh Trisha?”

“You like the library?” Gavin asks and I flush. I did like the library, but not in the way Gavin was thinking. Although I did enjoy reading, I mostly enjoyed the peace and quiet of a specific secluded corner to enjoy…a specific set of mature novels.

I wanted to say “Yes I do,” and leave it at that, but what ended up coming out was, “Well…yes, but…” I trailed off, my cheeks heating up. Daisy laughed and Erik decided to open his big mouth before I could stop him, “Ah I forgot. She only likes the library when she can be left alone to read those erotica werewolf novels she loves so much.” Erik and Daisy laughed together.

My eyes widened in horror and Gavin seemed to smirk with interest. I quickly hid my face in my hands, curling my face to my lap in embarrassment. This…wasn’t happening! They just blabbed one of my most heartfelt secret pleasure. “Erik…!” I whisper-squealed.