Veiled Affections

Chapter 14

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2024 Cassey9

'What do you want Wilder!'

The hard tone of the message had Mitch biting down on her lower lip in a desperate attempt to stifle the laughter bubbling up inside her. The words, a complete contrast to the Piper that she was sneaking around with for a while now, stealing kisses in closets and bathroom stalls. Piper was a bundle of contradictions, enlivening, like a whirlwind and impossible to capture with a single description. But, Mitch understood Piper, today of all the days.

'Bleachers?' Mitch hurriedly sent the text before stowing her phone in her hoodie pocket. Glancing at the clock above the board, she sighed in relief, at the remaining seven more minutes to the bell. A slight buzz from her pocket brought an easy smile to her face.

'What about them?'

'Meet me there during lunch?'

The reply came almost immediately. Mitch closed her eyes, hoped for the best and looked down at Piper's message.

'Whatever Wilder'

'Huh? Is this a yes, Piper?' Mitch's fingers fidgeted anxiously as she awaited a reply.

'Yes.'

'See you then, Piper?'

'Whatever Wilder?'

Mitch released the breath she'd been holding and leaned back in her seat only to feel eyes on her.

"Ms. Wilder? Am I boring you?" Mitch sat upright, feeling a wave of embarrassment as Keilah, Hope and the rest of the class broke out in chuckles and snickers.

"No, Mr. Tio. I'm just hungry. Your lesson is great," Mitch explained with a sheepish smile. Mr. Tio nodded and turned back to writing on the board. Mitch turned to her friends, their smiles making her smile as she internally sighed in relief this time.

The sound of the bell ringing was a welcome gift and like the rest of the class, Mitch swiftly gathered her notebook, pens, and textbook, quickly stashing them into her bag.

"Who were you texting?" Hope murmured, sidling up to Mitch. She casually slung her arm over her friend's shoulder, keeping Mitch from slipping and disappearing into packed hallway. "Wait, are you seeing someone? Who is he?"

"No one."

"Sure... well your beetroot face sold you off. Either way, you'll tell us Mitch or we'll find out, eventually. Right Keilah?"

"Yes, Mitch."

"Come on guys, let's just go and eat!"

"Sure," Hope taunted teasingly. Her gaze lingered on the figure walking ahead of them with her pulse quickening at the sight. "That's Liz, right?"

"Yes," Mitch murmured following Hope's gaze. "What about her?"

"Ask her to sit with us for lunch."

"Sure," Mitch murmured, breaking from her friends and jogging slightly ahead to catch up with her tutor. "Hey Liz."

"Hi Mitch," Liz replied, her expression bright.

"So, you wanna sit with us for lunch?"

Liz looked up from her phone, surprised by the question. Since starting to tutor Mitch, she had found herself spending more time around the soccer team and they had turned out to be a lot friendlier and more pleasant than she had initially expected. "Okay," Liz murmured.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Piper let out a soft smile as she saw Mitch ascending the steps toward her. "Took you long enough," she murmured.

"Hey Piper," Mitch whispered and leaned down, planting a chaste kiss on Piper's lips.

The familiarity and warmth of the gesture brought a gentle glow to Piper's chest. If there had been any doubts about her feelings for Mitchell Wilder before, they were now dispelled. "Hi, Wilder."

"I didn't see you in the cafeteria," Mitch softly noted as she settled into a seat close to Piper. Spring had finally rolled in, bringing with it warmer weather. The sun's rays felt soothing and revitalizing against Mitch's skin as if warming her from within.

"What did you want to talk about?" Piper murmured with her gaze fixed on the open field before them.

"I... I made you this," Mitch whispered, handing Piper a small plastic container and a juice bottle. "I know you haven't eaten anything."

"That's because I didn't want to..." Piper began.

"Eat?" Mitch gently finished her sentence.

"Yes," Piper answered quietly but still opened the lunch box.

"You should... just a little," Mitch softly whispered.

"You made this for me."

"Yes, Piper. Please eat. Just a little," Mitch gently pleaded. Taking the shaking bottle from Piper's hand, Mitch uncapped it for her. "It's your favorite."

Piper took a tentative bite of the sandwich. The burst of flavors in her mouth offering some respite from the sadness she felt.

"Thank you, Wilder," Piper whispered as she turned to gaze at Mitch with gratitude. The warmth she found swimming in Mitch's warm, brown eyes bringing tears to her own.

Mitch put her arm around Piper's shoulder, pulling her close. Piper settled in the embrace as she ate in silence. Eventually, she finished the entire sandwich in between sips of the juice and soft encouragements from Mitch. Setting the dish and bottle aside, Piper rested her head of Mitch shoulder as they sat quietly, staring into the distance.

"How are you holding up?" Mitch asked softly.

"It's... it's really hard without him," Piper murmured with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I miss him. I miss him a lot."

"I know," Mitch whispered as a tight and painful lump formed in her throat.

"I can't... I can't believe that you... you remembered," Piper said with a small sob.

"Piper, this day is... is important to you."

"Thank you Wilder." Despite the years that had passed, the pain of suddenly losing her father remained to be a wound that Piper knew would never fully heal. The wound felt raw, especially on this particular day, even after two years.

"There's nothing to thank, Piper."

"Honestly, I'm worried about my mom," Piper confided. The anniversary of her father's death always sent her mother into a spiral of grief.

"She'll be okay," Mitch reassured gently whilst cupping Piper's face. The sadness in Piper's eyes was piercing. "Your mother will be fine. She's strong and she has you Piper."

"I'm not... I'm not strong enough, Wilder."

Mitch fought back her own tears as she tenderly brushed away the tears from Piper's cheek. The news of Mr. Sutherland's death had deeply affected the entire community. His unexpected passing due to an aneurysm had shaken both his family and those who knew him to the core.

"You're the strongest person I've ever known," Mitch murmured as she leaned in and softly kissed Piper. "Despite everything, you've persisted and continue to be the toughest and strongest person I've ever known."

Piper let out a soft cry and leaned into Mitch as the sobs wracked through her body. Mitch held onto Piper, her arms wrapping snuggly around her as she consoled Piper. They remained in that embrace for quite some time, with Mitch softly murmuring words of reassurance and solace.

"Piper!"

"Piper!"

"Piper!"

Piper drew back, wiping away her tears at the sound of her friends calling out to her. Mitch looked at Piper, uncertain of what to say or do. Her brother was among the ones calling out to Piper.

"Piper! Where are you!"

"Piper!" Natasha's voice rang out as she and the group emerged from the side of the bleachers. "Hey, we've been looking for you everywhere."

"I'm here," Piper called out, her throat feeling tight from the emotions. "Is everything okay? What brings you guys here?"

"Hey, Mitch, what's up?" Natasha greeted, moving closer to her friend. "Why were you crying? Did something happen?"

"It's nothing...."

"What did you do, Mitch?" Kurt questioned, moving closer to his sister. "Why are you here?"

"Kurt, stop," Piper murmured, stepping in front of Mitch. "She didn't do anything. I'm just having a bad day."

"Are you sure," Kurt said attempting to cup her face but Piper stepped back.

"Yes, Kurt."

"Piper.."

"I'm fine! So stop," Piper snapped, her anger seeping through. She quickly grabbed the box and juice Mitch had brought and then took Mitch's hand, pulling her away from the group.

Ignoring the calls, Piper led them further and further away from her friends.

"Piper! Piper! Come on! Please, wait!"

"What!" Piper replied sharply as she stopped and turned to face her friend.

"I know... I know it's today, Piper," Natasha, out of breath whispered as she rushed to embrace her best friend. "It's okay. We're all here for you. Everything will be alright."

The soft words triggered Piper, causing her to break down as Natasha held onto her. Soon enough, the entire group had joined in the embrace, enveloping her with love and unwavering support.

Mitch stood there, watching the group of friends as they huddled and held Piper. Her attempt to leave to offer them some space and privacy getting thwarted by Piper's grip on her hand.