Page 76 of Take My Hand

My heart missed a single beat, and Marcus raised an eyebrow at what I hoped was a promise. If I had anything to do with it, she would definitely be back and maybe for longer next time.

As I led her outside, her fingers still entwined with mine, the late January day was grey and damp, with a coldness that chilled your bones. I didn’t feel it, though. I could feel nothing but warmth. Any scars from childhood, the ones beneath my skin, in my head, were slowly being salved with each moment I spent with her. It wasn’t like they were deep or had defined me, but I knew my childhood was what had made me wary of relationships. Yet, Maya made me want to change. She had already started to take away the fear.

“Right,” I said, pulling her towards the pavement. “First stop, Bennetts for some takeout for dinner. Their food is brilliant, but their hot chocolate is incredible.”

Maya responded with a warm smile, and I knew I wanted more of that every day.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Maddy

Sitting on the wall, at the far end of the upper school yard, Zak looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. Looking at him, you wouldn’t know that we’d just started study sessions for our A-level exams. The rest of my friends, and myself, were all looking pained and stressed.

“It makes it all real,” Emma said, pinching a crisp from the bag Liam was scoffing.

“I’ve got a headache.” Liv pressed her forefingers against her temples and groaned dramatically. “I’m sure it’s going to be a migraine.”

Zak stretched his legs out and hooked them around my hips, pulling me closer. “You okay?” he asked. “You haven’t got a headache as well, have you?” He licked his lips and then sucked the bottom one between his teeth.

“No. I do feel sick every time I think about it, though.”

“You’ll be fine,” Ana chimed in from where she was sitting on the grass, leaning against the wall and reading a magazine. “You’re a nerd.”

“No, I’m not,” I said, glaring at her.

Zak laughed and tugged on a strand of my hair, regaining my attention. “You are a bit, babe.”

I inhaled, feeling a swoop in my belly. He’d started to call me babe for the last couple of weeks, since he’d sneaked into the house. Not all the time, but when he did, I went all funny, like I was on a rollercoaster. He’d also started to pick me up for school in the morning on a Wednesday and Thursday when his mum didn’t need her car to get to work. I loved those days, arriving in the student car park in Zak Hoyland’s car. Ilovedthat he’d wait at the bonnet of the car with his hand out for me and then he’d link his fingers with mine. Ilovedhow we’d then walk hand in hand to whichever class I was in, while all the girls watched with envy.

“Says you who wants to be a vet.” I poked him in his hard stomach, only for Zak to capture my hand and pull until my chest was against his.

“You’re a sexy nerd, though,” he whispered close to my ear.

We hadn’t moved on from kissing in the last fortnight, but it had become pretty hot and heavy at times. Strictly PG at school and in public, but on the days he drove us to and from school, we’d go back to my house to study. They just happened to be the nights Dad worked until nine, so for the first hour or so there wasn’t much studying going on. We always made sure we were sitting at the kitchen table with our books open when Dad came through the door, though.

“Anyone fancy doing anything tonight?” Liam asked, handing half a chocolate bar to Emma.

“Like what?” Ana asked. “It’s not like we can get into any pubs locally. There’s only three in town. Maddy’s dad owns one of them, one is full of old men and the other always asks for ID. Plus, it’s a school night.”

“I can get us ID,” Liam suggested. “It’ll cost about fifteen quid each, but its good.”

Liv sighed. “I can’t be bothered changing all my socials just in case they cross-reference it. It’s too much effort.”

“If I got caught my dad would ground me forever,” I said, turning to put my back against Zak. “And like Emma said, it’s a school night. I don’t want to get pissed and have a hangover for maths study group tomorrow.”

Zak wrapped an arm across my chest and rested his chin on my head. “You could all come to mine. My mum and dad won’t mind.”

“In your basement?” Liam asked, excitement lacing his tone.

“Ugh, it’s not all damp and smelly is it?” Liv asked.

“No, is it hell.” Liam jumped up onto the wall next to Zak. “He’s got a dartboard in there, two sofas and a huge TV.”

I hadn’t seen it the day I’d gone to Zak’s house, but he’d told me about it since. I looked up at him and saw that he was grinning.

“Are you sure they won’t mind?” I asked.

“Nah. As long as we don’t make a noise and it’s only us lot.” He fished his phone out of his pocket. “Let me double check.” He quickly tapped out a message and then wrapped his arm back around me. “Your dad will let you, won’t he?” he asked close to my ear.

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