Chapter 12: VI. Connection-1

"We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep." William James ---- Chapter VI – Connection Mom didn't say a word the next morning. It was just like every other morning. We ate breakfast got ready, and then got in our prospective cars for work and school. When I pulled into the lot, I noticed that Shea was waiting for me, leaning against his truck. He didn't look like he had been out half the night. I, on the other hand, looked a wreck. I was still yet to find my makeup and so my under-eye bags were on show today. I parked in the spot next to Shea's truck and shut off the engine. He beat me to my door, opening it for me and helping me out. I didn't need help, but it was sweet of him to offer. "Did your mom find out about last night?" he asked me quietly. "No, you were lucky," I replied in the same hushed tone. "And are you okay?" he checked. I felt the blood rush to my cheeks again. I looked down at my feet and fidgeted with the zipper on my book bag. "No, come on," Shea encouraged. He placed a warm hand on my cheek and brought my eyes to his. "Sara. You don't have to be embarrassed while you're with me. You don't have to be anything but yourself." I couldn't understand his sincerity, just like I couldn't understand anything else that had happened over the last few days. But against my better judgement, my gut was telling me to trust him. "Are you sure you don't mind?" I whispered. I felt naked in front of him asking these questions. The epitome of vulnerability. Shea pulled me into a hug, and I relaxed in his strong arms. "I can't wait for you to understand," he murmured into my hair. He released me after a minute and took my hand in his. "Let me walk you to your first class." I thought that Monday had been ridiculous with all the staring and the whispers, but today was worse. I was walking hand in hand with Shea Braverman and everyone's eyes seemed glued to our connection. I was very aware of it. Shea seemed oblivious. Or maybe he was just that confident and comfortable. I tried not to notice but it was hard when every man and his dog seemed absolutely intrigued by you. I mean, what was so interesting? Were there not couples at the school? I had not been here long enough to really know many. But I knew for a fact that Cece and Jamie were together. Cece had his name tattooed on her left boob, for Christ's sake! Was that not stranger than me holding Shea's hand? "Shea, everyone is looking at us!" I finally hissed at him when we reached my locker. I punched in the combination for my lock and opened it, using the door as a sort of shield to protect me from the prying eyes. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, they're not looking at me." I slammed the door of my locker once I had my Spanish book and stared at him, deadpan. He was teasing me and was trying not to laugh at my expense. "You're cute when you're angry," he commented, tapping my nose with his index finger infuriatingly. "Trust me, you won't think I'm very cute for long. I can hit hard," I threatened. I had never hit anything in my life, but I had the urge to wipe that grin off of Shea's face. He was enjoying this too much. Perhaps he enjoyed being the centre of attention, but I certainly didn't. And what would happen if this got back to my mom? A small town like this, there had to be gossip. Shea softened then. He caught a stray piece of hair that had fallen from my ponytail and he tucked it behind my ear. That small affectionate gesture had suddenly wiped away all my hostility. I wanted him to touch me again. How was he doing this? "You want them to stop staring?" he asked seriously, in a voice so low it was just for me. I nodded. I didn't know how he could achieve something like that, but then again, he had gotten Zoey to apologise to me. Shea did have a certain talent for getting what he wanted. "Okay." He smiled slightly and leaned in to kiss my forehead. I closed my eyes, enjoying feeling this close to him. If I wasn't so aware of the fifty or so people watching us, I would have wanted that kiss a few inches lower. "Get your butt to class. I'll see you at lunch." He winked and retreated off down the hall. I shook my head as I moved off in the opposite direction. *** I wasn't entirely sure how he'd done it. Not five minutes since Shea and I had parted, and people seemed to be minding their own business. I walked into Spanish and no heads turned to me. Well, none except for Cece, who was practically bouncing in her seat in the back row. I hurried towards her and dumped my books on the table. Cece was wearing her cheer uniform again today. She wore it so well. I wished I was as lean and toned as her. I probably seemed like such a pervert. Both Shea and Cece were fine physical specimens. Looking up at her face, I could see that she only wore mascara on her fair eyelashes. Her skin was so perfect that she didn't need concealer or foundation. Another reason to envy her. Cece was smiling widely, grinning like a Cheshire cat, exposing her perfect, white teeth. "Tell me everything!"she whispered excitedly, though Cece's idea of a whisper was more like a quiet shriek. I knew others could hear us, though they didn't turn their heads. How had Shea achieved this? "I don't know what you're talking about," I mused, opening my exercise book to a new page and filling in today's date. Cece huffed and snatched my pen from my hand. "My brother left the house in the middle of the night and he came home pretty satisfied. Come on!" she begged. "Details!" What did Cece think happened? Was she assuming something happened? I mean, from the level of her excitement, it seemed like she thought that something had happened between us. Shea would never have said anything. I know that. Did others assume? Did relationships go from 0-100 in this town? "Cece, he's your brother," I reminded her. Cece rolled her eyes impatiently. "And you're my friend. Come on, you've got to be able to talk to someone about these things." That stung a little bit. I've got to be able to talk to someone about these things. Could I tell her? Could she comprehend that the connection that I felt with her brother was more than just physical? Could she understand that I felt something that could only be explained as beyond natural comprehension? That it felt like damned witchcraft? This need I had to be with Shea had started the instant I had laid eyes on him. It just wasn't normal.