Honestly... - Ch. 30

...The upcoming conversation wouldn't leave Tam's mind all day. He didn't know how he felt about the girl. He was attached and didn't want to lose her, but he didn't know if that meant that he loved her. Did he love her? Did she love him? He highly doubted that and that was why he wasn't sure. How could he allow himself to love someone that didn't love him. Though, love didn't work in such a way. Did it?

Tam shook his head. How did he feel? He just didn't know and he only had five minutes left before he would see the girl again. He knew that it was going to hang over their heads until they spoke of it. There was just no avoiding it once it was said. There was no taking it back. Why did he not think before he spoke?

It was as that thought went through his head that he realized the answer. It was obvious. He never let his guard down around anyone else. It didn't matter. Even if she didn't feel the same. He loved the girl. Serra was just the sweetest person he had ever met. Tam was perfectly fine with the idea of being with the girl for years. Hell, he was more than fine with the idea. It seemed right to him.

...Serra sighed as the final bell rang. She still didn't know. Her mind was jumping from Tam to Adam. She couldn't get the older boy out of her head. There was just something about Adam that she couldn't get out of her head. Could she really say that she loved Tam if she was obsessed with another guy. A guy that had made a move on her and was obviously interested in her. How could she deny  that?

How could she do such a thing to such a nice guy? Tam deserved so much more. So. Much. More. She was afraid to see him. She was still indecisive. Would his answer change hers? Probably not. It would only open her eyes. What if Tam did love her? What would that mean? She couldn't lie to him, but she didn't know if she could say that she didn't feel the same.

Gawd, Serra chastised herself as she gathered her books, you are so messed up. Tam is a great guy. Amazing. He puts up with you. Don't screw it up, Serra.

The girl froze as she realized that those were Alan's words. He was nowhere near and she could still hear his voice. Alan was right, but that didn't mean that she knew what to do. That was it. She had to call Alan and get his insight. That boy was uncanny with knowing what was going through her head before it even went through her head.

As the thought went through her head she pulled her phone out of her pocket and rose from her seat. It was the only thing that she could think of and she really needed to figure it out. Tam deserved that much. He really did…

...Alan cocked his head to the side as he looked at his phone. He was still in his last class and he was getting a call from Serra. It almost scared him, but knew better. If it was an emergency then the girl would send a simple text to explain what it was.

With a simple shrug, the boy answered the phone and gathered his books up off his desk, "Rivers?"

"Okay, Mister Smarty Pants," Alan chuckled as he shook his head. What a great greeting… "Something big happened today and I need advice."

"'Kay?" Alan stepped out of the classroom and maneuvered around a couple of teens that were standing outside the door, locked at the lips.

"The 'L' word was dropped and I don't know what to do—"

Alan stopped, causing the freshman that was right behind him to run into him, "Wait," Alan shook his head as he looked over his shoulder and offered the small boy an apologize, "What exactly happened and why the hell didn't I get a text as soon as this happened? Seriously, Rivers! Spill it!"

Alan had just made it to his locker as Serra finished the story, "Okay," Alan opened his locker and shoved his books into the bottom, not caring that they had fallen open, "So, you're asking me if you love Tam?"

"Yeah," there was a short pause as Alan slammed the locker, "So?"

"Rivers," the boy turned around and leaned back against his locker, "there is no way I know that. Why did you think I would?"

"Because you're supposed to help me!" the girl whined and Alan rolled his eyes, "Please!"

"Alan!" Alan looked down the hall when he heard his name to see the one girl that was obsessed with him.

"Damn," Alan cursed as he started down the hall in an attempt to get away from her, "Tam's a good guy. Don't mess it up," he glanced over his shoulder to see the Summer still following him, "I'm sorry, Rivers, but I got a pest on my heels and I need to lose her. Just be honest with Tam," he sighed as he turned his attention back to where he was going just in time to see the kid that he was about to collide with the very same boy that had run into him when he stepped out of the classroom, "Damn!" Alan dropped his phone as he tried to catch the boy.

"Alan!" Summer stepped up to Alan's side and looked at the boy that was standing there staring up at Alan, "Why didn't you stop?"

Alan sighed as he shook his head. If only the boy hadn't been there, but he was there and he had to deal with Summer, "Because I don't like you. You're obsessed with me and I'm gay."

The boy's eyes grew wide as he looked up at Alan through his thick glasses, "You're gay?"

Alan nodded as he rolled his eyes, "Yeah, kid," Alan let go of the boy and leaned down to pick up his phone, "Don't worry, kid. You won't catch anything."

"I-I," the boy looked Alan over before he smiled and wrapped his arms around his school books, "I'm Tiago Glau," he smiled at Alan, "I," he stopped as he tried to find the right words, "You're the one I ran into just a few minutes ago. Right?"

Alan nodded as he looked at his phone to see that the casing had popped loose and the battery had been jarred. The phone was off, but other than that the phone was perfectly fine, "Yeah," he smiled at the boy, "Well, it was nice talkin', T," he glanced down at Summer, "Leave me alone," and with that he started off down the hall.

Tiago stood there with his gaze locked on the older boy while Summer eyed the younger boy. Something had just happened and the girl didn't like it. Not one bit…

...Serra sighed as she pocketed her phone and found Tam standing by her locker. He was waiting for her and she still didn't know how she felt. At least he was going to spill his guts first. That would help. At least it would give her some more time.

Tam's crystal eyes lit up as he caught sight of the girl. Serra looked down at the floor as Tam rushed to her side, "Serra," he pulled her close and placed a light kiss to her forehead, "I do. I love you."

Serra's eyes grew wide as she looked up into those beautiful crystal eyes. He said it. He was the first to say it and he wasn't afraid. Didn't he know that those feelings might not be reciprocated? He had to, but… "Oh, Tam," she took a deep breath as she thought about all that had happened to them in the short time. How did she feel? How?

"Serra!" Serra jumped at the urgent tone to Jaynie's voice, "I want to talk to you!"

Serra looked over to the girl then looked up at Tam as she bit her bottom lip. She felt she needed to talk to Jaynie, but she didn't want to leave Tam without telling him what she felt. Why was she given so many difficult decisions this day? Why?

Tam nodded, "I don't have to work tonight and I figured you'd need more time," he placed another light kiss to her forehead before he let her go, "Just don't forget about me."

"Or course not, Tam," she offered him a meek smile before she hurried over to Jaynie's side, "What's up, Jaynie?"

"I was thinking about things today and I've decided," the girl crossed her arms over her chest and she looked Serra over, "I'm willing to let you hang out with me again if you never speak with that freak, Alan, again."

Serra's eyes grew wide as she shook her head, "No way in hell, Jaynie," the girl's voice was level, but the cold glint in the girl's bright amber eyes was enough to let Jaynie know that she was serious, "Alan isn't a freak. You're just a bitch."

Jaynie opened her mouth to speak, but Serra just walked away. She didn't care what Jaynie had to say anymore. The girl was a superficial pain in the ass. She wasn't just going to give in. Alan was always there and never told her to do anything. He was the best friend she could ask for and Jaynie was the worst friend she could imagine.

Tam cocked a curious brow as Serra stepped past him and ripped her locker open, "I really don't understand people. How can they be so horrible! Really! They judge you because you dress differently. They hate Alan because he is guarded. Gawd!" the girl dropped her books then slammed the door shut, "I think that's why I love you, Tam. You don't judge. You accept people for who they are. People," the girl shook her head as she continued her rant, "Why can't people just be happy with others for who they are? What does appearance matter? A beautiful shell is nothing if the insides are rotting. No substance and no value," she shrugged, "Stupid people. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."

Tam smiled as he just stood back and listened to the girl rant. She didn't even realize what she had said, but Tam didn't miss it. She loved him back. It was out there and he couldn't stop smiling like a fool. He had finally found someone that loved him. Someone that enjoyed to be around him. Someone.

Finally, Serra's rant faded and she looked up at Tam to see that crooked smile. She didn't understand it and it almost made her feel uncomfortable, "Tam, are you okay?"

Tam nodded, "More than okay," he tucked a stray lock of her silver hair behind her ear and sighed, "I love you, Serra," he leaned down and placed his lips to hers. He wasn't sure why, but there was something different to this kiss. It seemed more true.

Serra blinked a few times as Tam pulled back and looked down at her with that crooked smile, "I love you, too, Tam, but…" it finally registered what she had said. She had told him without even knowing it. No wonder he looked like a fool, "Damn…" Serra looked down at their feet for a few moments before she shrugged, "Wow," her gaze rose to meet Tam's as she smiled, "I'm such an idiot!"

Tam chuckled as he shook his head, "Not at all. Not at all."