Chapter One: First Encounter

Gavin meets Ryan.

My name is Gavin Ashmore and this is my story.

Well, to be honest, it would be unfair to call it my own story. It’s not just my own story. It’s his story as well. It’s our story; together.

It was October 28^th: a strangely warm day for central Scotland, an autumn day, and for me, a lonely day.

My classes at Kilmarnock College slowly grinded in, and finally, the lunch bell rang, and I could leave. I didn’t say goodbye to anyone. I just wanted to get home. I’d been told earlier that day that if I didn’t sort out my attendance, my timekeeping and my assessment deadlines, I was going to be withdrawn from the photography course.

I had a lot on my mind.

I glared at myself in the mirror in the college toilets, my hazel eyes scrutinizing the tall, thin, pale boy who stared back at me, an equal look of disgust on his face.

Throughout my teenage years, I’d always been told I was a good-looking boy, but to be honest, I’d always failed to see what others saw. It wasn’t because I was ‘modest’ or anything �" I genuinely didn’t consider myself to be attractive.

I pulled my long chestnut fringe back from eyes with my hand, leaning forward into the mirror. I glowered at my out of place hairs - even half a tin of hairspray each morning wasn’t enough to tame my short-ish teased hair. Then again, it was partly my own fault for teasing in the first place…

Sticking out from my brown hair were my stretched ears - both were stretched to 40mm. I always wore black plugs in them, even though I had an assortment of tunnels and multi-coloured gauges at home.

My eyes seemed quite colourful today �" it was unusual. Instead of my usual coppery colour, today they seemed brown with tints of gold and bronze.

 I blinked a few times, watching as my dark eyelashes blocked the skinny kid in the mirror out of view, and then made him reappear.

There was a tiny little scar on my slightly crooked nose �" I scowled at it, recalling how I’d received it (as I did every time I looked at myself in the mirror). When I was four, I’d fallen off of a swing and broken my nose. I hated it. My big brother, Lee, always said the slight crook in my nose was unnoticeable, but I didn’t agree. Maybe I saw it because I knew it was there…

 Apart from that, my skin was practically flawless - I’d never been bothered with spots or blemishes. The only out of place thing on my face was perhaps my silver lip stud which sat neatly just underneath the right side of my lip.

 I let go of my fringe, letting it fall about my face once more.

“Get a grip, Gavin.” I told my reflection quietly, through gritted teeth. “You’re nineteen years old… Isn’t it time you stopped playing around with your life?”

College was beginning to suffocate me. I was so behind in my work, just through my own laziness. Life was just so mundane, so boring. It was always the same old same, day in and day out.

I was beginning to feel trapped.

With a sigh, I made my way through the corridors, fumbling with my camera, heading for the exit. I could hear footsteps somewhere, getting louder and louder, until…

BANG!

As I turned the corner, some stupid kid ran right into me and knocked himself to the ground. I managed to keep my balance though - a good thing because if my camera had been broken, I’d have broken some of his bones in return. Luckily, I had the strap round my neck so it didn’t fall.

I rolled my eyes angrily and looked down at the boy.

He was almost as skinny as I was, clad in grey baggy jeans with a black band t-shirt. He had a surfer’s tan and vibrant blue eyes which stared up at me in awe. His hair was spiky and short, mostly black, but he had some blonde streaks in his fringe which covered his left eye. He was good-looking and obviously friendly - he gave me an embarrassed grin as he picked up the books he’d dropped. One was about the pop-art movement. I didn’t notice the other one.

“Oh my god… I’m so sorry!” He flustered.

I stared at him in awe. He had a strong American accent.

My initial anger waned almost instantly - he seemed nice enough. My friendly nature got the better of me, and I offered him a hand up, which he accepted. When he stood up, he dusted down his jeans with his free hand and then stood up to full height. He was a good bit taller than me.

Once again, he flashed me the same mortified smile.

“You really shouldn’t run through corridors.” I told him as I studied his face. “The janitor will beat you up for it.”

I was trying my best to keep my Scottish accent to a minimum so he would be able to understand me.

He laughed, his nose screwing up a little, and as he did so, I noticed his face was spattered with a light blush of freckles. There was something about him. Perhaps it was the aura of friendliness that seemed to radiate from him?

I returned his smile.

“You think I’m joking?” I told him.

The kid had a really nice smile. I found myself unable to take my eyes off of him - there was something interesting about him. Perhaps it was how natural his tan looked…or maybe the accent?

Definitely the accent.

“So, um, you’re not from here, are you?” I asked. The tall brunette shook his head.

“Nah. I’m originally from Cali.”

“California?”

“Yeah.”

“Why are you here in Kilmarnock?”

He pouted at me.

“Well, duh. My family moved here during summer.”

I nodded, scanning the books he held once more.

“Pop-art? You an art student?” I asked.

He nodded, smiling.

“Yup. My big brother is at this college too. He’s studying music production or music technology.... Something along those lines anyway.”

My eyes widened a little; it was a small world.

“My big brother’s doing that course as well.” I explained. “He’ll probably know him then.”

The brunette nodded.

“We’ve only been here a couple of weeks. We were allowed to start late, instead of having to wait a whole year for the courses to start again.” The boy tilted his head, gazing at me as he spoke �" I knew he was studying my appearance as I’d just done to him. “We were at college in Cali anyway, so we’re just picking up where we left off.”

“Aw, not bad.” I commented as he glanced over my shoulder.

“Anyway, I have to get going - I’m super late for class!” He flustered.

I grinned.

“You sound like me - I was late this morning too.”

“It was really nice meeting you…” He gave me a curious look as he waited for me to tell him my name.

“Gavin.” I told him, gazing up at him. “Gavin Ashmore.”

“Ryan Speirs.” He beamed at me as he began to walk past. “Oh! Hey!” He spun on his heel, giving me a peace sign with his fingers. “If our brothers are doing the same course, maybe we’ll meet again? I always wait for Saffy outside his class after mine are finished.”

I nodded.

“Yeah, sure. I’ll probably see you around then, Ryan. It was nice meeting you.”

“You too.”

With that, he turned again, and I stared at his back as he began to walk down the corridor.

Ryan Speirs, huh?

As I walked home, I kept thinking about him: I wanted to know more about him. I was interested in him - moving from California to Kilmarnock? I laughed quietly to myself. Who would want to do something like that?

If I had the opportunity, I’d get on a random flight to anywhere, just to get away from this boring town.

Later that night, I was sitting in my brother’s bedroom, staring at my camera. Lee was absorbed in his video games so he didn’t pay much attention to me.

At twenty one years old, Lee was still as interested in his video games as he’d been when he was ten.

Some things never change.

He was older than me by two years, but he had the same childish level of immaturity as I had. We got on great - Lee felt like my best friend instead of my big brother.

I glanced up at him as he landed another headshot on the enemy soldiers. He was taller than me and muscular (he was at the gym at least three times a week). His short dirty blonde hair was always spiked up; there were at least five tubs of hair gel lying about in his room.

I watched him as the light from the TV flickered on his face, highlighting the massive scar down his left cheek. He’d been caught up in a fight when he was sixteen, trying to protect his friend and the reward for his bravery was a slash down his face. Lee was fearless though. He used to be overweight, but when he left school at sixteen he worked really hard to peak his fitness in order to join the army. He only lasted a year though before he missed everyone too much and had to come back home. He’d been keeping on top of his weight since then.

“You’re really quiet tonight.” Lee commented, pausing his game to turn to face to me. I lowered my eyes to my camera again. “Bad day at college, Gavin?”

I nodded and he frowned in response.

“Well, don’t let it get to you.” He told me. “Just stick in, okay?”

If I had a pound for every time Lee had said that to me… I didn’t listen though, and he knew that all too well.

It was only recently that I’d been lying to him, telling him I was doing fine at college, telling him everything was good… I didn’t like lying to him, but I didn’t want to disappoint him.

“I’m doing fine, Lee.” I lied.

He smiled at me.

“The world’s your oyster, Gav. You’ve got the talent to make it big. You know that, right?” He sighed. “I just want the best for you. I want you to take the opportunities that escaped me.”

I kept my eyes locked firmly on the display screen of my camera. It was black. I wasn’t reviewing any of my photographs. My camera wasn’t even switched on.

Lee hadn’t been interested in school, exams or grades. In fact, he hadn’t even turned up to the end of year exams. On the other hand, I’d passed four out of my five subjects so I had grades he didn’t. Lee had always regretted messing about at school, and now I felt even more guilty. He was happy for me.

Happy for the lie I was living.

“Anyway,” He turned back to his game, but didn’t unpause it. “There’s a new guy in my class. American kid. He seems decent enough.”

I nodded, suddenly reminded of Ryan. The handsome brunette’s face flashed through my mind. I dropped my camera. As I picked it up, I noticed Lee frowning at me.

“Yeah,” I flustered, embarrassed at how quickly I’d managed to space out. “His little brother’s an art student. I bumped into him today at college.”

“You seem kind of preoccupied, Gav.” Lee commented. “Listen, I’m going out for a drink later with the lads. You wanna come?”

I nodded.

“Aye. Sure.”

 

*

 

We met up with some of Lee’s friends in the Dean Park. It was a five minute walk from our parents’ house in Dean Street. The night was frosty, and once I’d downed my cheap bottle of cider, I’d began begging Lee to come back home with me. After about five minutes of my moaning, he’d complied and we’d headed back together. I hated drinking on the streets anyway, even if we were away in the park, keeping to ourselves.

Drinking in public was illegal in the UK anyway.

When we got home, Lee locked up as I staggered upstairs, trying not to wake up our mum and dad. I was drunk and I had college tomorrow morning. I scolded myself for being so stupid - I was supposed to be getting a grip and sticking in at college and here I was: smashed. I knew I was an idiot, but to be fair, it had been a fun night until the bitter chill of late autumn had kicked in.

Still, college was beginning to scare me. As I thought about how bad my hangover in the morning might be, I began to think about that American kid again.

Maybe I’d meet him again tomorrow?

 

*

 

The next day at college, I sat with my head on the desk, wishing I could just go out onto the street and throw myself in front of the nearest vehicle. My head was thumping and my stomach seemed as though it was dancing on a tightrope - the slightest movement made me want to vomit. I wasn’t enjoying class at all, so I was thankful when the lunch bell rang. Zipping up my black hoody and fixing my scarf around my neck, I trudged to Lee’s classroom on the first floor of the building.

I never ever waited on Lee outside his classroom. I’d always meet up with him outside the college building. Today though, I wasn’t hoping to meet up with Lee - I was hoping to meet up with Ryan.

I was glad to see Ryan hanging outside the room, wearing a grey baggy hoody paired with black skinny jeans. He beamed as he saw me.

“Hi Gavin!” I was surprised that he remember my name. I tried my best to smile as I approached him. “How are you this morning?”

I groaned in reply.

“Hungover…”

He giggled, a soft blush touching his cheeks.

“Well, that’s what you get for drinking on a college night.” He told me. There was something about his voice, his accent, that seemed to make me feel better. “Anyway, I forgot to ask; what are you studying at college?” He pouted a little as he stared at me. “I noticed the camera around your neck yesterday.” He leaned against the wall, next to the classroom door. “I hope it wasn't damaged when I banged into you.” I noticed his eyes falling to the floor and his smile faded. I scowled as my stomach began to dance again.

“My camera was fine.“ I told him, forcing another smile. “I’m a photography student. I’m doing my HNC Photography.”

He nodded and beamed at me again. Somehow, his smile made me want to smile.

“I still don’t quite get Scottish qualifications.” He admitted. I grinned at the way he’d pronounced Scottish - he’d said ’Scah-tish’. “Like, I know that when you leave high school or academy as you call it, you sit an NQ course… National Qualification. Then you move up to HNC, Higher National Certificate…and afterwards, HND, Higher National Diploma…” He scratched his head, pouting in confusion. “Ah whatever.” He beamed at me again. “I’m an HND art student.”

“HND? Not bad. You must be good at art.” I told him, studying him under the dim lights of the corridor. The blonde streaks in his fringe seemed about three shades darker than they actually were.

“I was actually taken out of high school when I was fifteen so that I could study under an artist, so I know my stuff.”

There was something about Ryan that I really liked - he just looked friendly. Maybe it was the tiny dimple in his chin or the way he seemed to blush every time he smiled? Maybe it was just the fact that he always seemed to be smiling? I couldn’t be sure, but he made me feel at ease. When conversing with someone I hardly knew, I always felt apprehensive and nervous, but with Ryan, I felt comfortable.

“So,” I continued. “How come you’re not hanging out with people from your class?”

He frowned.

“I don’t really speak to them to be honest.” He admitted, screwing his nose up a little. “Well, actually, they don’t speak to me. I think that they think I won’t be able to understand the Scottish accent, but I can understand you no problem.”

“That’s because I don’t use slang when I’m talking to you.” I admitted. Ryan grinned at me.

“Then maybe you should teach me it?”

“Aye right.” I laughed. “Okay, erm…try saying...” I trailed off as I thought for a moment. “Haw you! Whit dae ye hink yer daen?’”

Ryan’s smile vanished as he frowned at me.

“Um…what?” He asked, raising his eyebrow.

“’Haw, you!’ just means ‘hey, you!’” I told him.

He nodded.

“Haw…you.”

I grinned at him. His accent was hilarious. I pronounced the rest of the sentence phonetically.

“Whit day yeh hink yer day-in?”

Ryan returned my grin.

“I’m not even gonna try and say that.” He giggled. “Ah, Scottish accents are awesome.”

A few other students passed us, conversing amongst themselves, and I noticed one blonde girl turn her head as she heard Ryan’s accent.

“You seem to be getting plenty of attention.” I noted. He shook his head, and his smile faded.

“The novelty wears off after a few days.” He sighed. I watched as he slumped down the wall and sat on the floor, cross legged. “So are you here for your big brother?”

I nodded, joining him on the ground. A couple of kids stared at us as they passed.

“I’m waiting on Saffron too but you obviously figured that one out, hm?”

I smiled, still gazing at the brunette. My hangover seemed to be swiftly vanishing as I conversed with him.

“My mom doesn’t like Saffy doing a music course.” Ryan told me, returning my gaze. “His band used to be kinda big back in the USA. Close To Post Mortem; you ever heard of them?”

My eyes widened. Close To Post Mortem? I’d discovered them online a couple of years ago and had been a fan of theirs since. They’d split up last year though. Close To Post Mortem? Nah, it couldn’t be.

“I used to love them.” I admitted. Ryan beamed at me.

“Yeah, they were pretty awesome!” He said proudly.

“So…wait….your big brother was in the band?” I asked.

He nodded, his black and blonde fringe falling into his eye. After he flicked his fringe out of his face, he explained.

“Saffy was the vocalist.”

My mind clouded over as I remembered seeing pictures of the band - promo shoots and live pictures. I’d always admired the front man’s dress sense, his hairstyle, his attitude. He was feisty, wild, rebellious, and I guess I’d always idolised him to some extent. As I tried to recall his face, I stared at Ryan - he was the brother of that guy? Impossible. Why the hell was CTPM’s singer doing a college course in Kilmarnock? It didn’t make sense at all.

Just then, the classroom door clicked open, and Lee basically fell out of the room, clutching his ribs in a fit of laughter. Behind him was another guy - tall and willowy with long feathery black hair, also laughing hysterically. The door was slammed shut behind them, as the two roared in fits of hilarity. I studied the guy Lee was with - he wasn’t as tall as Lee, but he was so slender, almost like a feline. He was wearing a black coat, which was knee length, with a high collar, and, like Ryan, black skinny jeans.

I snapped out of staring at the tall guy as Lee slapped me on the back of the head.

“That was f*****g hilarious, Gav! You should have seen it!!”

The other guy was bent double, laughing silently. I noticed tears rolling down his cheeks. I couldn’t see his face because his hair was covering most of his features. He put his hand on Ryan’s shoulder as Ryan began to laugh himself.

“Oh my god, Ryan!”

My ears pricked up as I heard his accent. So this was Saffron? The…singer of CTPM? I frowned as I stared at him. He raised his head, and for the first time, I could study his face.

Saffron was stunning.

He was practically androgynous - if I saw him on the street, I wouldn’t have known whether he was a really effeminate guy or a really pretty girl.

His silky black hair fell about his pale complexion loosely, and like his little brother, he had the same freckles dotted across his cheeks. His icy blue eyes weren’t as bright as Ryan’s but he had the same long, dark eyelashes. The pair looked alike, but to be honest, if I hadn’t already made the connection, I wouldn’t have said they were brothers. There was a similarity between them, but it wasn’t that obvious.

As Saffron managed to compose himself, I noticed an elegant, cat-like quality in his movements. He took a deep breath, sorted the collar of his coat and smiled at me. At first, I wasn’t sure if I recognised him from the band’s photographs or not, but as I studied him, I realised that it was the same guy. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. His eyes gazed right at me intently as he took in my looks. Slowly, almost unsurely, he extended a slender hand to me. I stood up to accept it.

“I’m Saffron…Speirs…” He told me. “Nice to meet you.” The way he spoke to me was almost as though he was totally distracted. He was soft-spoken, almost timid and as I accepted his hand nervously, I wondered if he was shy; the vocalist I remembered was aggressive and arrogant and yet this guy was so...

“I’m Gavin Ashmore.” I told him. “Nice to meet you too.”

As I told him my name, he seemed to snap back to reality.

“So you’re the one Ryan’s been going on about?” His voice was more confident now, louder. It was as if when he’d been shaking my hand, he’d been lost somewhere. I glanced at Ryan, who looked away shyly.

“You make me sound like some sort of stalker, Saffy.” He hissed. “Shut up.”

“This guy is awesome.” I turned to look at Lee as he placed a hand on Saffron’s shoulder. “He’s got the same sense of humour as me!”

The pretty raven smiled and turned his attention to Lee.

“I can’t believe we were thrown out of class for laughing at that. Anyone would have laughed at it.”

“I know, haha.”

“What happened?” Ryan asked.

Saffron looked as though he was about to burst into hysterics again.

“This stupid b***h, that no one even likes, walked into class with a milkshake, tripped over two wires and spilled her shake everywhere.” He giggled. “I can’t believe we got thrown out. She should have been thrown out for breaking class rules. No drinks allowed… Yeah, whatever.”

I kept my eyes on Saffron, utterly astounded that here I was; face to face with a boy I’d practically dreamed of being. To be honest, I was a tad disappointed. Yeah, Saffron was absolutely gorgeous (I even began to feel jealous as I stared at him), but his dress sense was more kind of...elegant and gothic, whereas I’d been expecting the hardcore ‘scene’ style that I was used to.

Eventually, both Lee and Saffron had calmed down completely.

“Anyway...” The singer slinked an arm around Ryan’s shoulders as Ryan stood up. “You guys wanna go grab a coffee with us?”

Reviews

[Amber-The-Panda]

omg i love it keep writing!