We Only Breathe For So Long.

"Okay quiet down again." Ms. Braise called out as everyone quieted down, "okay, so I thought we'd mix it up a bit this term with this particular activity - you might say. I decided on - and since this is a LIterature class - giving you the choice of writing a poem, story or some sort of piece, on your partner.

"I'd like for you to get to know them, all the little things about them, from where they live, where they grew up to who they really are on the inside. Literature is more then discussing, it's breaking down the ideas until they simply become one of the many unanswered questions. I'm going to give you around...2 weeks? I want you to feel comfortable in this class and enjoy your time as it is your last years, but within the space of time, I want you all to read your first novel as well. Okay, so, carry on." She waved her hand, signalling for the class to get on with their 'getting-to-know-you' task.

"Uhh, well, it looks like we're stuck together for this task." Charlotte turned towards the lanky boy as he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.

"So, how are we going to to this?" She asked, reaching up to brush her hair back behind her ears, a habit she would do when nervous and with this lanky-green-eyed boy in front of her, she couldn't help but be nervous.

"Well, did you uh- did you want to start with your story or did you want to start with mi-"

"Yours is fine. " She cut in, with a quick nod, if there was one thing she wasn't looking forward too, it was him getting to know her.

"Okay, then." He chuckled nervous, "well how about we meet up after class or something? I have band practice after school," he suggested, "that's if, that's alright with you.." He added quickly.

"Um, yeah that should be fine." She said quietly with a small nod.

But deep down, she couldn't help but be more afraid.



"Hey, you made it." John smiled at Charlotte, pushing himself up from leaning against his old, beaten down white truck.

Charlotte looked at him funny, "Yeah, you told me..too?" She said slowly.

"Yeah but I thought...nevermind." He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck, something Charlotte noticed John did when nervous.

He ushered her into the truck, before starting his baby up.

"So - uh - where do you see yourself in 10 years?" John questioned, filling in the awkward silence that surrounded the two as he would turn towards her every now and then, awaiting for her response.

"That's an odd question to start off the conversation with.." She replied, all-the-while with a small smile on her face.

"I'm a bit of an odd person." He chuckled slightly.

"Well, I really don't know, to be honest." And she was being honest, she was never sure on what the future would bring her, so far, it hadn't bought her much happiness, so to suspect she would be happy with her approaching future, was an understatement.

"Really? Even now that you're in your last year of school?" He turned towards her, as they stopped at the traffic lights.

"Well, uh - I've never actually thought that far ahead, I'm the type to live in the moment and let things come and go. I like to leave things and 'let it be'." She explained.

"I never thought I'd hear you say so much." He chuckled as the lights turned green, "and to quote The Beatles, I think you've become my favorite person."

"I grew up with them, you could say they're my...inspiration." She smiled over at him, blushing the slightest bit at how comfortable she was becoming with this green-eyed boy.

Almost too comfortable.

"My mum is mine, first having to deal with me and then having to deal with my two brothers, it's a pretty big deal I think, especially when you have two idiots for brothers." He chuckled as she laughed, "You laughed! I got you to laugh!" He did some sort of a victory dance in his seat.

"John! Keep your hands on the wheels!" She scolded, jokingly, as she continued to laugh.

"I got you to laugh, I didn't think I'd be able too." He smirked as he relaxed back into his seat.

"Everyone has a funny bone, John." She smiled at him.

"Ah," he exclaimed, "that is where you are wrong m'lady, you have not come across the awful and horrendous Ms. Grant yet by the sounds of it."

"Who?" Charlotte replied, scrunching up her nose.

"She's one of the second in hand ladies or something, try to avoid her." He chuckled.

"I will do so." She said simply.

"So," he drawled, "do you like apple pie?" He randomly questioned.

"Apple pie?" She laughed at his question.

"Yes, apple pie." He countered as they both laughed.

The rest of the car ride was filled with laughter and more smiles, she couldn't help but feel so comfortable around this green-eyed boy, his smiles, his chuckles, his laugh, it was intoxicating.

But what awaited them at the house, was not something comforting at all.