Eighteen: Lenny

The day went by quicker then the last, roll call was different that day as she was alone this time without the scary boy in the back. She was glad she was alone, happy to just sit and wait for the bell. She had art class with Cherry and Oreo first, which she was excited for even to see the unique art teacher.

Oreo did not utter a word the entire time, simply quietly drawing in his art book creating sketches she couldn't see with his arm blocking the way. His hand was pressed into his cheek, puckering his lips as he focused on his little sketches. If she were to push him too hard or bump into the boy by accident it looked as if his limbs might just snap off, his wrists so small she could wrap her hand around them. She never seemed to be able to get his attention, even when she asked about his drawings it was hard to keep a conversation with his mop of messy white blonde hair hanging in his face, eyes always down looking at the picture before him instead of the girls.

He had skin the same colour as the paper. He sat in his chair as if he were trying to curl into a ball, to try and take up even less space in the room than he already did. His clothes were too large like his big blue eyes, his shirt hanging loosely off his small frame and pants gripping onto his hips, trying to hide the skinniness beneath his baggy pants and clothes. He was small and fragile with a young boys body. He could've been thirteen for all she knew. He always had this look about him, as if he were on edge, if you were to touch him he'd jump high into the air like a frightened cat. Why? She couldn't tell.

Cherry on the other was happy talking with Tess and just generally getting to know more about each other. Tess told her about Austin and what happened, Austin receiving a scoff and roll of her eyes from Cherry. She didn't like Austin and his boys, she made that clear when she spoke of him.

"He's such a moron" "He's so annoying" "I hate him"

She made it very, very clear. She did NOT like him. Oreo didn't seem to like him much either, noticeably frowning at the mention of him as he drew. Cherry was a beautiful soul, Tess could tell when she looked into her eyes they spoke of a beauty and her movements told of a need for nurture when she made sure Tess was okay, resting a hand on hers when she said she was forgotten, the girl even looking to Oreo when he began to frown. She was a carer. Her hair was waves of pure black, softly reflecting the light in the room with each strand moving carefully about her pudgy cheeks. With eyes of oak trees and honey, her aura was almost autumn like, warm and comfortable between them. But also could be like summer, bright and exciting. Plump, deep rosy lips gave a smile that was heavenly and kind, she was so easy to get along with.

Classes went by and then it was lunch, today choosing to sit with the humans for lunch. Cherry showing her the way to the cafeteria which she'd been told was kind of a meeting spot for the humans at the school. The high school cafeteria was empty except for the twenty tables that sat unoccupied, except for one where the red haired Jules sat, Oreo and another boy she hadn't met yet, who she guessed was Henryk. The two girls walked in with large smiles, heading over to the table to take a seat, cherry making sure Tess took a seat beside her and not the other.

"So you've met Jules and Oreo, but this here is the sweet Henryk Maker. Henryk, this is Tess" Cherry introduced, gently pressing a hand on the boy next to hers shoulder. The light brow haired boy that sat next to her was smiling lightly, Henryk who she now knew brought his hand up to shake hers across cherry. She quickly raises her hand to grasp his, finding herself giving a smile over at him

"I can introduce myself, thank you, Cherry. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tess. I've heard a lot about you" Henryk spoke with a soothing tone and kind smile, giving a steady shake of her hand. He had nice features, a strong nose and neat brows. His hair was neat on his head, slightly tousled on top but was attempted to be combed. He had broad shoulders that took up most of the bench where they sat, being the tallest of all the humans she'd met so far. She felt rather small, even being around humans, her own kind she felt small. He presented himself as being clean, a tidy person with a simple way of dressing himself

"Nice to meet you too, I hope you've heard good things?" she gave a small smile, looking to Cherry who gave a sheepish smile and quick nod to her question.

"Sure have~"

"Oh boy, I thought it was weird that T shook hands but your both hand shakers? Since when was shaking hands a thing?" Jules spoke suddenly from across the table, loud with narrowed eyes and holding a fork loosely in her hand with a fry hanging from the end before placing it into her mouth which had red lipstick on it like her hair. There was no greeting from her, I guess calling her weird was her way of saying Hi. Tess chuckles shyly and gave a small shrug of her shoulders, looking to Cherry who was rolling her eyes making Tess smile a little as cherry pulls a face.

"Uh~when did I ask?" Henryk looked to Jules with a raised brow before shaking his head, receiving a nasty glare in return from the red head who stuffed her mouth with more greasy fries. Henryk didn't notice or didn't care as he shuffled closer to Cherry so that he was leant on the table with an elbow to look around cherry to Tess on the other side of his friend "sorry about her she can be a bit of a bitch when she gets hungry. It's like awakening the beast from within" he chuckles only to gasp as a fry hit the side of his head, making Tess's eyes widen as he turned back to Jules with a fist waving in her direction. "Watch it" he snapped, Jules smirking while making Oreo finally look up with wide eyes.

Jules simply broke out into laughter along with Cherry, who softly reached out to take Henryks tight fist and into her hands and bring it down into her lap to hold, coaxing it to open before letting it go .

"stop it you two, your gonna make us look like we hate each other infront of Tess" she huffs a little annoyed it seemed at the two fighting.

"Don't we? I thought we did" Jules smirked, looking to Henryk who scowled in return.

"Guys~" Cherry whines.

"It's okay, it's funny" Tess smiles, and infact she did the group was interesting and weird but at least they weren't boring.

Tess couldn't help but notice Cherry shifting as if uncomfortable where she sat, her eyes peering down a little to see Cherry gently pushing Henryks hands back into his lap, realising he was trying to snake his hand into hers to hold only for her to deny his gesture multiple times.

"don't think this is serious, Tess, they're always like this~ can you STOP!" cherry laughed as she fights off Henryks hands, Tess realising this was what was considered normal for this friend group. Henryk and Cherrys play fighting, Jules and Henryks real fighting and Oreo off to the side doing his own thing with his chocolate milk and art book.

"don't worry so much, Tess is fine. Aren't you Tessie" Henryk looked up and gave a smile, keeping his hands lightly on Cherrys waist even though she squirmed against him she seemed to lean into him all the same. Cherry have an apologetic smile, pushing his hand off her hips

"Yes it's totally fine, it's cute" Tess couldn't help but laugh, Cherry giving a soft smile and finally leans a little into the boys chest, giving in and scrunching her nose, making Tess's heart warm at the sight

So Henryk and Cherry, Tess smiled at the two as Henryk tried pulling Cherry closer into him and wrap his arms around her, attempting to whisper into her ear only for her to wriggle free quickly, giggling as she sent a jab into the boys side to make him let go. Jules rolled her eyes and snorted at the couple, stabbing at her fries in almost disgust at the sight before her and Oreo gave a little giggle where he hid.

"Some of us would like to eat in peace, go stick your tongues down each other's throats somewhere else please" she waved her fork at them, rolling her dark painted eyes at Henryk who flips her off across the table.

"Boo hoo, Cry me a river Henryk" Jules scoffed at his finger.

~~~

"It's your lucky day!"

Tess looked up to Jace and Cole from where she sat upon Jace's hand, the two boys beaming down at her with smile across their faces and excitement in their eyes. She gave them a look, confused yet curious what they meant by this. School ended and Jace and Cole had collected her from the human exit where she had waited for someone to pick her up at the end of the school day since Austin was taking her home, not the bus. They were currently standing by Austin's car, Tess feeling a little impatient as they'd been waiting five minutes now for the stupid boy. Jace seemed agitated also, shifting on his feet uncomfortably while holding her.

"How is it my lucky day, Jace?" She asked, amused as she looked to the two boys as they looked back down on her, their heads blocking out the sun and casting a shadow over her body within his hand. They looked like two kids with a deep secret, glancing to eachother quickly then around them, as if not wanting anyone to hear. Jace was worse, squirming and biting at the corner of his huge smile.

"You tell her" Cole whispered, his mane of golden locks bouncing around his head

"No you" Jace whispered, never breaking eye contact

"Can someone just tell me!"

"Fine~ Well, since you'll be spending a lot more time with us. we've been talking and we've come to the decision to~" Cole started, shifting his back pack on his back and squeezing the straps

"To let you see the den!" Jace butted in, loud and proud with a grin large on his face and his hair falling in his blue eyes. He was grinning and looked as if he were about to jump into the air, Cole gave him a look and pushed at his shoulder, annoyed

"Hey I was meant to tell her" he grunts and turns back to look at Tess, still slightly annoyed at Jace he tries hiding it with a small smile to the small human

"... The den?" She spoke slowly, raising a brow with amusement. The last place she wanted to go was to some stinky boys den, she knew what happened in them and being the guys she knew Jace and the others were like.. she'd be faced with a nasty surprise

"Yeah! It's the spot, we usually hang out after school there. Been going there since we were kids" Jace says , bringing his fingers through his hair, pushing it back off his face so he could see the tiny girl who was looking more unimpressed then excited

"Yeah, trust us" Jace whined and brings her close up to his face, gently using his large finger to poke at her shoulder trying to convince her it wasn't as uninteresting as it sounds. She couldn't help it, if was a boys den. What was so great about a boys den, they smell and play video games all day "Come on Tessie, don't be so boring, it'll be fun!"

"Fine fine I'll go~ doesn't mean I'm gonna enjoy it" she gave a playful smile as Jace and the blonde Cole gave a silent cheer, high-fiving each other that they'd 'convinced' her to come along to their spot. She rubbed at her arm and gave a soft chuckle, shaking her head at the two and their excitement. It couldn't be that great could it

So off they were, Tess Cole, Jace, Austin and Darrick, who arrives quiet as always but in a less frightening, intimidating way. Instead being a little more open then usual and sending the boys, Jace and Cole and even her a small smile. Not revealing his teeth which she could image were perfectly white, but either way she could've sworn he caused her to stop breathing, she was confounded and heated by his gaze all of a sudden, needing to turn her eyes away to Jace who was pursing his lips into a pout as he listened intently to Cole speak of his drama class. How he and some girls were given the task to create a performance that will be shown at the end of the year. God damn Austin, he'd gotten in her head and now she couldn't look at darrick the same. It was their deep dark secret, and she didn't even like the guy very much. Hadn't spoken to him still when it was the second, third time meeting

Austin had taken a while longer to get to the car, finally arriving looking uncomfortable and scratching at the back of his neck. He glanced behind him as if checking if someone was following "come on, get in"

The car ride was rather quick, Jace, herself and Cole were sat in the backseat while Darrick and Austin murmured to each other were in the front. They arrived to the house, either Darrick or Austin saying much as they climbed out of the car unlike Jace and Cole who spoke happily of their day. She spoke of her time in their new school and the friends she had made, Jace listening intently with a small smile while Cole looked more awkward for some reason on the subject glancing to the front of the car at Austin and Darrick.

"You should definitely meet them, I reckon you and a cherry would get along" She smiles and Jace gave a nod, even though she could tell he felt uneasy on meeting them, but at least he agreed. She appreciated it.

Spotting the large tree house her heart sank, it looked worn from the years it had sat in the strong branches of the large tree. Leaves filtered the evening sun, the light of the afternoon still warm against her cheeks where she sat in Jace's hand. His hand was warm beneath her, fingers slightly curled to cup her inside a protective hand as the group of guys walked in line down the side gate and headed over to climb up the wooden ladder of the tree house. The branches that grew above her, larger than the giant that held her reached their limbs across the blue sky that reminded her of Jace's eyes. The clouds that passed overhead flew by like ship sails drifting across the water. The world she was in, so inhuman and large looked to be painted by the hands of angels, the world full of beauty.

She looked about Coles yard, eyes grazing the giants backyard at the variety of plants. She could see newly sprouted buds now opening in vines against the house, gifting their new life to the sun. She could tell that the backyard had once been given love, paved with white tiles and pockets of flowers planted in circular beds about the garden. Now the weeds grew between the cracks of the tiles, having turned a shade of cream. Bushes and flowers had become an over grown jungle of colours and a moulded bird bath that sat to the side of the yard.

"Is this thing safe?" She said, feeling uneasy as the wood groaned and creaked beneath the boys weight, making her nervous as she watched the giants ascend together into the branches, climbing up into wooden tree house

"Yeah of course, it hasn't fallen down yet, hopefully today's not the day anyways that it decides it will." Austin spoke from beneath Jace, not comforting her in any way as Jace clambered into the tree house, being slow and careful to not drop her.

"We'll be fine, Tess, don't worry! We've had like six people up her before it will hold" she heard cole call out, still... not comforting her.

The place smelt of boys, looking around she could see magazines and a pile of rubbish shoved into the corners. Scrunching her nose, she gazed toward Jace who seemed unfazed by the mess and smell and fell to sat comfortably into a beanbag and placed her beside him on the beanbag by his leg on his left where she proceeded to sit down, sinking down a little with her hands in her lap. So this was it... the boys den~

The boys poured in after them and scrambling to grab one of the three beanbags to not have to sit on the floor.

Cole, unfortunately missed out

"As if, come on Austin shuffle over. Let's share" Cole gave a whine and tried to squeeze in next to Austin, who didn't budge instead shoving Cole off to land with a thud on the wooden ground of the tree house.

"Piss off would ya" Austin chuckles, Cole giving a low grunt and butt sliding over across the ground away from Austin to sit cross legged on the ground facing toward Jace and Tess.

"It's my place I deserve a beanbag" Cole huffed and pouted, reaching over to grab a magazine and flipped it open to a page to read. A sporting magazine from what she could tell and as he started reading he seemed to forget he was on the ground and lounged into the wall.

She couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking her head at the boys. Austin sat beside Jace on his right and Darrick, making her heart flutter sat on Jace's left in the beanbag closest to her. Her cheeks warmed and her stomach knitted, she could feel Austin's gaze on her with a smirk as he eyed her. She knew exactly what he was thinking without looking to him so she chose to not look and instead glanced down into her lap. She could feel his amused look.

"So~" Jace starts and she could feel the large boy leaning over her to catch her gaze, swallowing tightly she looked up, her eyes connecting with Jace to see his grinning head "what you think? Pretty cool huh"

She gave a soft laugh, feeling all boys eyes fall on her she gives a shy shrug and leans back on herself, cupping her hands together tightly in her lap "it's alright~ I guess" she smiles a little seeing Jace give a nod, leaning back comforted by her words Even though she wasn't completely telling the truth. It smelt and was just kinda gross, it was no place for a girl and she would never choose to hang out with her friends there. She really needed to hang out with girls, making a self note to try and make plans with either Katy or Cherry soon.

Very soon.

~~~

The conversation turned to Backnott suddenly and loudly, Austin and Darrick speaking about how they were gonna go against the opposing school of Rutherford high. They're competitive boy, sport talk, soon turned into banter and then the two larger boys arguing whether who should go forward position for the game against Rutherford high. She sat and listened, a little shocked hearing Darricks rich voice filling the silence not being as loud as Austin who was very expressive with his hands in trying to explain why he should take the position. He was confident with the idea that he WILL be forward position since he was captain of the team, he had the choice, while Darrick explained simply why he should because Rutherford highs defence were known for being large and could take down Austin easily compared to himself.

"Okay! Fine then, Lets vote. Jace, Cole and Tess will choose right now who is gonna he forward" Austin smirked and Darrick gave a low laugh finding their argument more amusing then competitive like Austin, which made her smile to herself knowing he didn't take this conversation too seriously.

"Okay, go ahead" Darrick smiles confidently and waved a hand at the group and she felt her heart throb loud in her chest seeing the smile, bright and perfect as expected and as his eyes turned down to suddenly fall onto her where she sat on the beanbag closest to him. Her face was red, burning like she was sat inside a hot plate. She knew he could tell, could see her red cheeks as she glanced up slightly, making eye contact briefly to see his eyes linger a second longer before looking up to Jace.

"You better say me," Darrick smirked at Jace who rolled his eyes. The deepness of his voice is comforting even with the smirk that played across his large lips. His voice lingered in her head and it wraps around her and carries her off into her thoughts.......

She squeaks and then flushes lightly when she sees Jace looking to her, having nudged her and she looks around. Quickly realising, she turns red when she notices everyone had already answered, Jace and Cole's hands were raised by their heads except for her own, all waiting for her input. "Uh um." She pips, not knowing who their hands were up for and not caring really who played forward since she had no interest in the sport... having a guess, she followed Jace and Cole since they must know who was a better player and she quickly followed suit and raised her hand also over her head.

The chuckle that replies is soft, becoming rolling thunder that billows across the dark skies on a stormy night. Darrick?

"Seriously!" Austin groaned and she looked as confused as ever as Austin sunk down into the beanbag with his hands pressed into his beanbag, red beneath his palms with what she could only assume to be frustration "Why would you do this to me, Shorty? Thought we were closer than that! You'll regret that" Austin grunts but gives a playful look in her direction. She gave a small laugh and shrugged,

"Sorry not sorry" she smirked and receives a finger back in her direction making her laugh

"Shorty? Who the fuck is shorty? Huh. Are you talking about me?" Spoke a pitchy makes voice, loud and sounding annoyed.

She jumped slightly hearing a voice, not one that one of the boys owned. One that was unfamiliar, one she'd never heard before. She was confused as she looked over, seeing spiky white hair and grey eyes raising up from the ladder appearing by the entrance of the treehouse. The boy that appeared, she definitely had never met or seen before. She didn't even think Austin had mentioned anyone like him .

Looking to Austin confused, she only became more confused seeing Austin eyes nearly fall out of his head with how wide they had become. He was so fast to stand up her head snapped off her neck trying to keep up with the speed, he nearly leapt up into the roof he was so quick, on his feet facing the entrance and bringing a hand to rest on the wall blocking her view of the boy that had arrived now and was standing in the doorway. Raising a brow, she looked to see Coles face was pale, colour having rinsed clean from his cheeks and already clambering on to his feet like Austin. Everyone seem startled. Who's was he?

"LENNY! No no! I was talking to Uh Jace. Shorty ha! Get it?" Austin laughed, glancing back over his shoulder to Jace with widened eyes at the other boy who seemed frozen in fear staring at the smaller white haired boy. She glanced around, confused why Austin lied, he had been calling her short not Jace. Why were they all so shocked? What was going on? Who was this Lenny? It made her anxious and she leant quietly into Jace a little, feeling uncomfortable suddenly as heaviness filled the air feeling and came over the boys. She could feeling it throbbing in the air waiting, watching, too scared to move as if Lenny was a lion about to pounce on its prey

"Really now, Hmmm.." the boy spoke, seeming amused by the idea "I like it, short ass" Lenny snickered, noticeably trying to glance over Austin's shoulder at Jace but was much shorter and couldn't see "so~ what are you boys up to?" Lenny spoke, she could hear a cockiness in his voice, a smirk not with amusement but of a darkness. This didn't feel right, all boys were like deers caught in headlights.

"Uh~ just hanging.. you know " Cole spoke and joined to stand next to Austin, and she saw from where she sat behind Jace's leg that made Lenny curious As he cocked his brow.

"Really now~ so am I allowed in or are you gonna stand in my way the whole time?" Lenny scoffs sounding suspicious while looking up at the two, who were hesitant to move "do I need to throw someone out of the tree to get in or is there a password or something I've missed, move would ya!" Lenny grunts and shoves Austin, moving over to a cabinet and crouching over it to look for a magazine

She could tell They didn't know how to react to this new presence.. she felt uneasy and kept hidden, Gently tugging on Jace's pant leg, she tried grabbing his attention confused and also nervous.

He did look down, carefully out the corner of his eyes and she felt his leg move a little trying to hide her more but not making it obvious. The fear travelled into Jace's eyes but never made it to his facial muscles. His complexion was pale and matte, his eyes as steady as if he were trying to control himself from screaming and running out of the tree house. She tried to silently ask him, what's going on, but instead he shakes his head and he looked slowly up to Darrick who met his gaze , he looked calm and steady compared to the rest of the boys. She noticeably saw, even if it was quick, Jace gave Darrick the smallest of nods. Darrick seeming to understand what this meant and suddenly he was looking at her. His dark hair in his hazel eyes and looking stern.

She opened her mouth to say something but stopped when she watched his hand, a long finger raising and coming to rest against his large lips in a "shhh" motion, quickly while Lenny wasn't looking. His hand dropped and her mouth quickly came to close on command as she watched, suddenly getting the feeling that Lenny wasn't a nice guy.

Austin was clearly trying to distract Lenny, Jace was too scared to move to get Lennys attention and Darrick... Darrick was~ about to grab her!

Her heart was pounding so hard against her ribcage and so suddenly as her pulse pressed outward, jerking at her heart inside her chest. What loomed by the doorway before her she should have feared, not Darrick, but she couldn't help but loose her breath.

This time she did gasp softly, seeing his large body begin to move, carefully to his feet as if standing on a sheet of thin ice and he was trying to not break it with his weight. His shadow came over, like a dark blanket across her vision he filled her world with a large hand, fingers spreading wide and long to suddenly encase her in darkness. He showed no restraint in picking her up, holding her tight enough so she couldn't squirm even as he tried to but carefully as to not crush her. His fingers were warm, too warm in that moment and uncomfortable as they held her and she felt like screaming! But instead was quickly brought up into the air away from the beanbag and Jace, seeing the opening of a dark, deep pocket through the cracks in his fingers before she was pushed inside!

It happened so fast! She was breathing heavily and her heart was leaping out of her body, what was happening! Why was DARRICK picking her up, was she in danger! Jace now was trailed behind her and it made her anxious in a way being in the hands of Darrick. Someone she'd never met before, never spoken but was now being clasped in his hand within his dark pocket!

"I'm gonna head out, sorry Lenny I can't stay~ mum just broke a plate. Talk tomorrow" Darrick spoke, his voice low, rich with confidence and smooth like warm honey. He could probably feel her heart beat, as his fingers were wrapped fully around her body and pressed against her chest, his thumb resting between her shoulder blades. She was red with a blush, his fingers so large and warm as they held her. She hated it, hated being stuck in this position inside his pocket and being held in his hand. so she squirmed trying to free herself. Only to be lightly squeezed, the fingers around her holding her firmly but not crushing her.

"Oh. Well before you go, I you need to check my English essay. I can't fail this, I gotta go to the next game" she heard Lenny, he sounded confident in a cocky way as if knowing Darrick wouldn't say no and she could hear shuffling outside where she was being held within her pocket prison.

"Uh~ sure I'll take a quick look" she heard Darrick, sounding hesitant as his voice reverberated in his palm against her skin and through his pocket. The pocket was Not roomy but wasn't incredibly small that she couldn't fit, she guess she was in his jumper

She suddenly felt tears well up as she was confused and feeling scared and claustrophobic. Her heart twisted and sunk with nerves inside her chest she sat helplessly, being held by darrick. She could feel herself begin to shake, knew it was happening before she realised it. Her breaths came in sharp pants and She tried to gain control of her lungs and take slow breath, but it didn't seem to be working. She squeezed her eyes and whispered to herself

"in out in out" focusing on breathing, she couldn't breath. It began to hurt. Her lungs hurt ! She tried to breath calmly, but every time she heard a voice, felt the warmth around her or any movement she panicked. As the time passed anxiety twisted and held onto her heart and grew larger

She flinched.. slowly looking through the darkness she felt a warmth press into her back, Darricks large thumb slowly beginning to move as if stroking her back! Trying to calm her? He could feel her panic, could feel her squirming and tried helping, lightly massaging her anxiety out of her bones. He was delicate, careful as if he'd done this many times before.

Slowly, the panic and anxiety attack flowed away, but she still shook beneath the large thumb that stroked her. Her eyes closed and she tried focusing on the darkness, each breath and actually began to find comfort in the giants strokes, her eyes slowly opened. He helped ?

"Yeah that sounds good, just got some spelling mistakes. I gotta go, see you" Darrick spoke quick and she felt movement, still seated within his pocket that slightly swayed with his thumb still rubbing at her back even when she could hear him climb down the ladder and land on the grass, she remained inside being cradled in the large hand... she now blushed with embarrassment, her eyes travelling along his palm and trying to peer up out the pocket..

"Just~ be quiet til we're out of sight. Then I'll let you out" he spoke lowly from outside the pocket, making her blush heavier wondering why he'd helped her and now.. where was he taking her!

An updaaate wowowow! Would love to hear what you think in the comments! Love seeing your feedback!!!

Hopefully will update soon hope you guys liked it ahhh!