Page 128 of Beyond The Maples
The five of us stay up late, going over the map the twins gave us. I feel the overwhelming need to plan out, and allocate every little detail: who's going to carry our only map, how much clothing to bring, which weapons everyone prefers. I know it gives me a false sense of control, but I feel better not leaving anything to chance. To my surprise, everyone is fairly accommodating. Despite a bit of bickering, the assignments are taken seriously. By the time the guys leave, and Farra and I drag ourselves to bed, I feel ready.
Ispot Deacon across the courtyard, and smile because he looks great. He's running with his bunkmate, although it looks more like racing than a casual run. I sit on one of the benches nearby, and wait as they come finish.
Walking over I can't help how nervous I feel. Even as I wait I've changed my mind a hundred times about what I'm going to say to him. When he spots me, a charming grin takes over his face.
"There you are, stranger. I've missed you," he says, hugging me, and pressing his sweaty body into mine as I squeal.
"Deacon! Gross!" I push him back as he chuckles.
"My bad, what's up? You got time for the little people today?" he jokes, but I catch the hint of hurt in his voice.
I cross my arms and roll my eyes.
"Now you know what it's like, "Mr. Popular-our-entire-lives". So sorry I've finally made a few friends," I reply, smiling at him. "Want to have breakfast with me?"
"Of course," he says, getting his canteen and turning towards the hall.
I grab his arm, pointing to the muffins I've already swindled from Chef at the cafeteria.
"Actually... I was hoping I could show you one of my favourite hiding spots," I nod towards our building.
He frowns, confused, but follows me to the stairs.
We walk up the winding steps silently.
"Maple, I hate to break it to you, but your room is neither special, nor a secret. In fact, it's busier than the mess hall most days," he mutters,and I laugh.
"Just shut up, and follow me, will you?"
We continue past my room and he peppers me with questions along the way, all of which I ignore. As we walk higher, I feel a familiar pressure building—pressure to spit out the secrets I've been keeping from him all this time.
As we get to the top I shove the muffins in my oversized pockets, motioning for him to go first up the ladder. He cocks an eyebrow at me, and grins.
"Been awhile since you and I scaled a building together. This should be fun— just like old times," he says, hauling himself up, and easily pushing through the hatch.
I give him a minute to look around and gain his footing. He doesn't seem at all bothered by the height. We settle beside each other on a spot overlooking the city and the rolling hills beyond it.
"This is incredible," he says, with an appreciative breath.
I look at him. I take a second to reallylookat this man who's been my best friend my entire life. His hair is different—cropped at the sides and longer at the top, as a lot of cadets wear it. It makes him look older; a little more intense. The boy-ish charm has faded slightly since he's been here, but he's still impossibly handsome. Still Deacon.
He catches me studying him and frowns.
I throw him a muffin, looking away.
"So, what is it?" he asks.
"What's what?" I say, deflecting.
He gives me a look that says,come on.
"We haven't really hung out in weeks, and now you bring me up to a secluded rooftop. I know you're not trying to seduce me, so what's up?" he asks, ripping off and popping pieces of muffin into his mouth.
I take a steadying breath, leaning over the ledge, and wondering how to explain all of this properly.
"I don't know how to tell you this gently, so I'm just going to go with honesty. And I'd like to get this all out, before you jump down my throat. Ok?"
"Ok..." he says, his eyessearching my face.
