Veiled Affections

Chapter 7

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Copyright © 2024 Cassey9

Piper sensed a familiar gaze on her. She could feel it, the weight of a gaze fixated on her. It was like an invisible tether drawing in her attention, and she instinctively knew whose eyes were locked onto her.

Gathering her resolve, Piper shifted her gaze in the direction she knew she'd find her, Mitchell Wilder. The one person that held a piece of her heart. Piper breathed stilled when their eyes met. There she was, seated comfortably among her friends, her poise a picture of confidence and allure.

A nudge against the shoulder interrupted Piper's reverie. "What?"

"Who's got you smiling like that?" Her friend's tone carried a hint of playful curiosity.

For a moment, Piper hesitated, torn between the urge to share her thoughts and the guarded nature of her feelings. But in the end chose the latter, Kurt was present and it would be awkward if he were to get wind of her feelings.

"No one," Piper murmured softly, breaking her gaze from Mitch's magnetic presence.

"So, you and Kurt? Did you..." Natasha's whispered words hung in the air, pregnant with the unspoken questions

Piper breathed heavily, the air between them thick. "We're not together," Piper finally replied. The unspoken complexities between her and Mitch was a tapestry of intertwined emotions. Deep down she knew their was something more in their friendship. They was Mitchell Wilder always took care of her spelt more.

Piper stood, her tray in hand and Natasha followed suit unwilling to let her questions go unanswered. She already had the perfect double date ideas that she knew Piper would love.

"You kissed..."

A reminiscent sigh escaped Piper. "I know," she cut in, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. The memory was vivid, she was there after all and so was Mitch. The Wilder sibling had been witness to everything.

As much as wanted to address everything with Mitch and make everything clear, the Wilder girl seemed intent on evading the said topic. They walk to her locker was a short and silent one.

"Hey, so can we hang out at your place this weekend?"

Natasha's voice cut through her locker shuffling and Piper paused, turning her attention to her friend's giddy demeanor.

"We... we can't. We can't do it at my palce," Piper responded as hesitation coated her voice. The crease forming on Natasha's forehead didn't escape her notice and it saddened Piper. "It's my mom. She'll be around, Nat" she explained knowing Natasha would understand her.

"Okay." Natasha's tone carried a hint of disappointment, though she tried to mask it.

"Thank you."

"My parents could be around, but we'll see. We have to get together, that's what's important. Just no more skipping out. You haven't been around for a while, Piper."

Piper felt the weight of Natasha's words, the unspoken guilt looming over her. Things at home hadn't been easy, despite her mother's attempts to shield her from the truth. Piper knew her mom was still drinking behind her back. Her mother was struggling and battling the secrecy of her drinking habit. It clearly showed.

"Yes, I won't miss it," Piper assured, attempting to alleviate the disappointment in Natasha's eyes.

"Great!" Natasha murmured enveloping her friend in a hug. "I'll text you the details and later, could you stop by and help me run through some routine."

"Sure, Nat." Piper murmured, her attention returning to the books in her locker.

"I'll see you then. Bye, Piper."

Piper pulled out her Algebra textbook, opened the hard cover page and was instantly greeted by a sight that usually left her either smiling or in tears. Today was the latter.

Her gaze lingered on the picture, lost in the moment when her life was much simpler and full of happiness. If only she could reverse time. The sound of approaching footsteps disrupted Piper from her reminiscing and thoughts. She hastily wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall and shoved the image into her book, closing it shut as well as her memories.

"Hey Piper."

"Hey... uh... hi Piper."

It was the second and timid greeting that prompted Piper to turn toward the newcomers. Mitch was there, and standing alongside her, was Liz, a nervous smile adorning her face as she glanced at her.

"What do you both want?" Piper's questioned. Her gaze was mostly directed at Liz, the glare hard to ignore.

"Piper, are you okay," Mitch asked unable to stop herself from stepping towards her. The sadness in Piper's gaze was dimming the beauty in her gaze.

"Stop," Piper exhaled sharply, halting Mitch's approach. "I was fine until you both came here!"

"Mitch... I'll... I'll go now. See... See you later," Liz whispered unable to bear Piper's gaze.

"More than see you never," Piper murmured audibly enough for both of them to hear. It angered her that someone like Elizabeth Pitchet made her feel threatened when it came to Mitchell Wilder's attention.

"No, Liz," Mitch attempted to stop her, but the girl was already gone. "Why? Why are you always mean to her?"

"Aren't you leaving with your little girlfriend?" Piper questioned in a bored tone.

"She's just my friend, Piper. Nothing more."

"Yeah, sure. I don't care," Piper murmured nonchalantly. "Go after your girlfr..."

Before she could finish, Mitch stepped closer and gently cupped Piper's face, drawing her close.

"Why were you crying, Piper?"

The innocent yet breathtaking gesture left Piper tongue-tied. Piper felt relieved that the halls were deserted, sparing her from anyone witnessing her flustered state.

"I... I wasn't," Piper stammered through her reply.

Her thumb traced over Piper's cheek detecting a slight wetness on her silky skin. "I hate it when you cry," Mitch whispered as if under a spell. Her gaze remained fixed on Piper's captivating eyes, unable to look away. "I want you to be happy. To always smile. I want to take away all of your pain."

Piper's hands shifted from her side and settled on Mitch's chest. Despite the compromising position they found themselves in, Piper never wanted the moment to ever come to an end.

"I... I don't know what to say," Piper whispered, completely taken aback by Mitch's words. No one had ever expressed such selfless sentiments to her before. Her hand trailed upward and wrapped around Mitch's neck as she pulled her into an embrace.

"Thank you," Piper murmured against Mitch's shoulder. Despite the turmoil within her, she felt a sense of ease, safety, and peace in Mitch's arms.

Mitch held onto Piper, her hold on her unwavering. If Piper needed a friend, Mitch aimed to be just that.

The two gradually eased away from the embrace but still remained close. Piper's hand lingered at the back of Mitch's neck as she gazed into her eyes. The overwhelming desire to kiss Mitch intensified, and the charged atmosphere only served to escalate the situation.

"Wilder?" Piper's voice broke the tense silence.

Mitch nodded in response, trapped in a daze that held her captive in the moment. Her gaze shifted from Piper's eyes to her lips, the yearning to kiss her so searing she literally felt in pain.

"I... I want to..." Mitch struggled to articulate amidst the charged emotions.

The approaching footsteps abruptly interrupted their moment, causing both of them to break apart. Mitch cleared her throat, avoiding eye contact with Piper, her gaze directed anywhere but towards her. A group of students passed by, completely oblivious to the tension that had been building.

The forceful shutting of a locker startled Mitch, causing her to jump and she turned to find Piper walking away. "Hey? Where... Where are you going?"

"None of your business, Wilder?" Piper's frustration was evident in her retort.

"Piper, come on," Mitch called out, jogging to match Piper's long strides. Lunch break was nearly over anyway. "I'll go with you."

She didn't trust herself around Mitch, especially with the burning desire coursing through her. "Suit yourself, Wilder," Piper replied, maintaining her distance.