Troubled

SIXTY SEVEN

CORA PHILIPS

"I would lie and say I butt dialed you but I don't have it in me to lie right now." I say as I swing my legs over the desk.

I hear him take a deep breath of relief.

"Cora.. what's happening with you? Where have you been? Are you okay?"

His questions tumbled out of him like they could not get out fast enough. I felt a great deal of relief at the thought of him worrying about me. I was going to let myself bask in that feeling for a while.

"I'm at the old building."

"The school's old building?" His voice held a bit of surprise, it was rare that anyone ever went into the building. Rumors had it that it was cursed, granted two kids died here mysteriously. It was unrelated, and the building was not cursed as the kids insisted, they were only looking to have something to discuss about.

"Yes, wanna join me?"

"You sure we can't go somewhere else?"

I can't stop the eye roll.

"Don't tell me you believe in the rumors too, are you that lame?"

"Cora, you know me too well, I am anything but lame. I'm coming, are you upstairs or downstairs?"

"Upstairs." I answer without missing a beat.

We don't disconnect the call even when he climbs the stairs and meet me on the top stair.

"You evaded me all day to end up here?"

"What is wrong with here?"

"Was your phone not charged few minutes ago?" He narrowed his eyes at me. By this time I was only a step above him. He was such a beautiful person, I don't know how I had not noticed this before now. How haven't I noticed before now? He was literally breath taking. I stand there facing him for god knows how long, with my breath caught in my throat.

"Sockets still work here.. who knew." I say quickly and walk away from him before I was swayed once again by his pretty face.

"Isn't it dangerous to leave the building buzzing with electricity?" He questioned as he followed me.

I don't answer because I don't know the answer, I wasn't the one who left the electricity buzzing.

"Why here?" He asked when I swing my legs over the desk and sit.

"It's away from everyone, no one would look to find you here."

"You were hiding from me weren't you?"

I see no use in denial, that was not going to get me far any way.

"Yes, I was actually."

He looked like I slapped him.

"Why?" He sounded like he was in pain.

It felt gut wrenching.

"I thought I relied on you too much, I wanted to see if I can stand on my own feet. Seeing as you're here right now, I will say I can't stand on my own feet anymore."

He frowned lightly.

"I didn't complain about that. Heck, I even lean on you more than you lean on me. And that's not a bad thing in anyway. We are helping each other stand on our feet. We have helped ourselves out more than Miss Suzie has ever done. Cora, I'm not complaining. Use me, lean on me, we are a team for a reason."

His voice was so soothing I don't know how I thought I could escape him in the first place. Or even manage without him.

"I wish I was quick to draw while you spoke, I missed my chance."

He laughed. I missed it, the sound of his genuine laughter.

"Don't tell me you called me here to draw."

"Why? Didn't you just say to use you?"

He laughed again. Call me a creep but I liked how the room lit up whenever he laughed. I wanted to make him all the time. The sound was mesmerizing, the way it made me feel was one of a kind. It was good for me.

"I am so glad you are okay, I looked everywhere for you. I feel so much relief now that I know you're here, safe and sound."

I don't comment on how it made me feel good that someone was looking out for me.

"I called you here because of something anyway. There is a rumor spreading around in the school."

He snorts.

"Isn't there always? Teenagers feed on that crap."

Pleased to know he didn't take a likening to gossip, I continue.

"It's about us."

He frowned.

"Well, mostly me. But you are in it as well, so.."

"Are you worried that I am going to be affected by a rumor?"

The way he asked it made me feel stupid for thinking that he was bothered by it.

"You aren't?"

He chuckled,

"Cora, you're forgetting I was a mini celebrity once, I know rumors, and I know that they are only out to destroy people. I don't care a bit about them. Whatever they are saying, as long as both of us know it's false, we are good."

I felt a bit of the burden I carried lower drastically.

"You don't even want to hear it?"

He shook his head,

"I don't care, except you want it straightened out. Else, I don't care about them. I don't want to hear them either."

Where has this guy been hiding my whole high school life and why was he just showing up now?

"Okay good, take precautions though, it's only going to get worse from here out."

He nods.

"I survived it before, I can do it again."

"I am not new to the extremities of teenage gossip as well."

"Good, we can handle it, together. Like a team."

My chest feels warm and tight as he says the words. Together.

"Are you staying for the rest of the classes?"

I blink at him. He was still standing by the doorway, leaning on the dusty door frame.

"Yeah, I have a quiz last period. Are you staying?"

"Since you're staying, I will too. By the way, can we go to Miss Suzie together?"

I don't even have the heart to tell him my mom thinks I'm cured and I don't have to go anymore, so I just nod.

"Good, so we can flesh out the details for your masterpiece. The talent hunt is next week."