#writinf

Chapter 5:

Steven longingly looked after you as you walked out of the chapel, he felt a pang in his chest from how badly he yearned for you. Slowly, he walked out of the chapel his head hanging low. He saw his friends waiting outside a couple of yards away from the entrance. He sulked to them as he felt tears threaten to fall from his eyes. Pitts rushed toward him and put his hands on Stevens shoulders, "Hey! Hey hey hey it's ok! Don't- don't look like that it's ok!" He was frantic to cheer his friend up and the other boys quickly saw and surrounded him. Pitts took his hands off of Meeks's shoulders and backed away slightly to join the group and give him room.

"If they didn't like your poem it's their loss Meeks," Charlie narrowed his eyes, clearly already making his mind up about you.

Steven shook his head, his voice quiet and shaking whilst he spoke, "No, no it's fine," he sniffed.

Charlie looked at him shocked, "No it's not dammit-" Neil put his hand in a knife position and waved it back in forth against his neck in a 'cut it out' signal towards Charlie. This shut him up.

Todd spoke in that timid way he always did, "Go on, tell us what happened Meeks,"

Steven let out a shaky breath and wiped his eye with his index and middle fingers, "I um went to talk to them but they couldn't stay long. They had to leave, but at least I got to give it to them," He looked down and sighed.

Neil furrowed his eyebrows, "Well...at least that means something doesn't it?"

Steven nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat, "I just...I wish I could talk to them. I wanted to tell them in person,"

Neil moved toward Steven and hugged him, "I know buddy, I know," Neil stole a glance at Todd, their eyes met for a second in a way that no one else noticed. Neil quickly looked away and back down at Meeks before letting him go and walking back to his original position.

Steven wiped his nose with his sleeve. "Yeah- thanks Neil," he sighed and looked back up at his friends, "Thanks guys,"

The group all shared looks of concern and Knox piped up, "So...what're you gonna do now?"

Steven shrugged, "I honestly have no clue,"

Knox wouldn't have this, "You need to try again," Steven looked at him, his face a mixture of confusion and shock, "What?"

Knox frowned as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "You said they couldn't talk like it wasn't their choice, just try again when they can,"

Charlie raised his eyebrows in shock, "Chris is becoming a positive influence I see," he chuckled and looked at Steven, "He's right you know, if they didn't like talking to you they wouldn't have these past two weeks,"

Steven groaned, "But what do I do?" he cried, "I used all of my 'romantic talents' on that stupid poem!"

Neil gasped, "Hey, don't say stuff like that it wasn't stupid," Steven shook his head, "I- I can't talk about this right now,"

Cameron nodded, "He's right, someone will search for us soon. We need to be getting back into the building,"

Charlie scoffed, "Getting a demerit won't kill you,"

Cameron glared at him and snapped back, "Yeah but it might kill you,"

Pitts groaned, "Oh my god can we not? Let's just go inside ok?" Charlie grumbled but agreed. Some of the boys began to walk and Pitts gestured for Steven to follow them. As always he did.

The next day, Steven wandered through the halls like a zombie. His eyes were glossy from the lack of sleep and his hair an utter mess. Charlie chuckled when he saw him, "Got into a fight big guy?" Steven barely acknowledged him, he just shook his head. Charlie clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes, exasperated, "Come on, you gotta get over it. You'll see them on Wednesday,"

Steven scoffed and mumbled, "I doubt it,"

Charlie looked shocked and annoyed at this change of character, "Have you even eaten?"

Steven just shook his head in response, "No...appetite,"

Charlie raised an eyebrow, "Ok well that explains it...come on. I'm meeting Todd and Neil in the common room. Todds bringing snacks,"

Steven shook his head yet again, it was simpler to delve into easily read body language than to speak when words aren't coming to you. Charlie scoffed, "I'm not having that," he grabbed Steven by the wrist. His grip was gentle, one that said 'I have you but if you truly want to leave then I'll allow it' Steven let Charlie guide him to the room, the rest were there along with Pitts working on the radio. Steven had completely forgotten about it. He sat beside Pitts and stared at him while he worked, Todd handed him a bag of chips.

Steven sadly opened the bag and began to shovel chips into his mouth as Charlie looked on at him in amusement. Charlie sat beside him and turned his head in his direction, "Isn't that better?" Steven nodded. Pitts handed Steven the wire, "Here Meeks, do what you were doing earlier and try to pick up a signal ok?" Steven nodded and picked up the wire, he felt better with a distraction.

When Wednesday finally came there was a sense of calm that Steven had. He still missed you but you were no longer the forefront of his mind. He missed you but it was no longer debilitating. However, when he saw you again his friends efforts to help were immediately out the window. You were truly a marvelous creature. Something not even of this world, an angel. You smiled at him before you sat down onto your bench, he returned the favor. Steven turned back to Mr.Nolan and turned the pages of his songbook while waiting for him to call out the hymn number. Steven looked back up at you, his face a slight pink when you smiled again. He was so excited to speak with you.

The chapel slowly emptied but Steven stayed put, a big grin on his face as you approached him. You sat next to him and looked forward, without facing him you timidly said, "I'm so sorry about Sunday,"

Steven looked at you shocked, "Oh- oh no it's quite alright,"

You turned to him your eyebrows furrowed in concern, "You sure?"

Steven nodded rapidly, "Yes, yes of course,"

You sighed in relief, "Oh that's good...I just feel so bad, especially after reading that poem,"

Steven immediately flushed at the mention of his poem, "Um what'd you think?"

You looked up at him and chuckled, "There's a lot of passion hidden in you isn't there? Guess I did have a point when saying there's talent hidden at Welton,"

Steven felt like the happiest man on earth when this was said. Nothing could touch him at this moment. He looked at you, the corner of his eyes scrunched up while he grinned at you. He responded, his voice slightly giggly from pure joy, "Thank you, thank you so much. So, I guess you know huh?"

You looked at him confused, "Know what?"

Steven's smile faded slightly but his confidence surged back, this was the moment. He called you by your name and responded, "My feelings for you,"

You tilted your head, "Feelings? You barely know me-"

Steven shook his head, "Then let me know you. Tell me everything about yourself. Talk to me for hours. I want to know everything there is to know about you. Your likes, dislikes, your memories, and the new ones I can make with you," he gasped slightly at the end, he wasn't supposed to let that slip.

You felt your face heat up and you looked down in embarrassment, "Steven..."

He leaned down to try and meet your eyes, his own pleading, "Please...I won't say I'm in love with you, but I'd like to be,"

You shook your head, "I don't understand,"

He gently reached a hand up to your cheek, cupping it as he held your head gently, "It's ok, I honestly barely do myself," He laughed softly, staring into your eyes as the light reflected off your face.

You slightly leaned into his touch, "Sometimes," you took a breath, "Sometimes I come here to practice, on Saturdays, I am not always there but please...meet me,"

Steven's heart jumped, absolutely elated, "Yes, yes of course I will. I will be here every Saturday for the slight chance of seeing you," He took his hand down and laid back to his side. He considered holding yours but there was still a part of him that was absolutely terrified of you scorning him.