Discovering Me (Book 1 of Discovering Me Series)

Rollercoaster - Bleachers

[Milo]

“Where’s Mom?” I sat down beside Iz with my breakfast.

“Personal day. It’s needed for a spiritual pick-me-up post-break-up.” Elle dunked a teabag in a ceramic mug.

“I wonder if he’ll do the same.” Iz mixed her bowl of oatmeal.

“Doubt it. He’s always been a feisty one.” Sami replied between spoonfuls of cereal.

“Do you know what they did?” I whispered to Iz.

She shook her head. “The buildup is killing me.”

“No patience.” I shook my head at her with a smile.

She nudged me with her shoulder. I fought the urge to kiss her by returning to my meal. Cackling erupted throughout the room without an audible reason. I looked up from my plate to see what was going on. Lucas stormed towards our table with cat ears and his face painted to resemble a cat. The realistic whiskers adhered to his cheeks were a nice touch. His puffed out chest and wicked bravado made it crystal clear who he was coming for.

Sami leaned back in her chair and allowed a mischievous smirk to ease onto her face. Finn casually sipped his coffee.

“This was uncalled for!” Lucas slammed his hands on the table.

“What happened to your face is unfortunate, but what gives you the impression that I did it?” She crossed her arms. She kept her voice even and relaxed.

“You were always butting into our relationship! Why wouldn’t you barge into our breakup? I don’t know how you got into my suite. I’m not in the mood to deal with your games. Tell me how to clean it off!”

“Someone’s overcompensating.” Finn mused objectively, removing a mug from his lips.

“Makes sense. He’s been exposed for what he is.” She kept her eyes locked on Lucas’.

“Stop doing the freaky twin thing you do and fix this!”

“No.” She stated simply.

“No?” He questioned in disbelief.

******** break up with people because they don’t put out.” She drawled, tipping her head to the side.

Izzie was drinking milk at the time. It shot from her nose and she started coughing profusely.

“That was attractive.” I teased.

She shoved me away. I offered her napkins from the dispenser in front of me and handed them to her.

“I’m going to the office! You’ll pay for this!”

“You can’t prove anything, but I’d hate for you to waste a trip.” She drew back her fist and punched him in the groin. He doubled over in pain.

She stood up from her seat with her tray.

“Now we’re even.” She stepped over him to dispose of her dishes.

“Tiny’s a wily one. If I was you, I’d back down. She doesn’t mess around when it comes to Mama Bear.” Ryan winced.

“Alcohol-based makeup remover and scissors. Watch yourself.” Finn dropped a bag containing those items onto Lucas, who was still on the floor, on his way out the door.

He groaned and worked himself up off the floor.

“Smile, Kitty.” Elle snapped a picture with her phone.

He rolled his eyes and shuffled out of the cafeteria without another word.

“This’ll make Mom’s day.” She sent Morgan the photograph.

“I embarrassed myself and ruined my breakfast in one move. That’s talent.” Iz pushed her tray away.

“We can share.”

“Are you sure?” She eyed my bowl of grapes.

“Yes, eat.” I gave them to her.

She held my hand beneath the table.

I caressed her thumb with mine. We used our empty hands to eat our breakfast. None of us were pulled out of class to explain what happened at breakfast, including Sam. There was an undeniable pep in her step when she realized she would be getting away with all of it.

Things had a way of working out in our favor either by force, random luck, or determination. We all had our own default styles. Sami spoke with actions. Elle had passion and drive. Ryan was the luckiest person I’d ever met. Finn’s ability to keep his emotions out of everything made him impervious to failure. Morgan was kind and nurturing. She took care of everyone else. It made us extremely protective of her. Nick supplied a gentle current of reason that kept us in the realm of realism. Izzie was a ball of positive energy, but she fought when she needed to. I used to float – looking up, instead of forward or back. I stood on my own two feet when I went through with breaking up with Anna, a person who I recognized was bad for me. I stayed away despite the allure of riskiness she exuded. I found contentment within myself. The loneliness I generally felt vanished when Izzie looked at me the same way after learning the truth. It validated a connection we’d always had, but never vocalized or elaborated. Our fear to disclose was warranted. It was sensitive information that altered the way people perceived us. I was happy and in love. All I could do was hope she’d eventually feel the same way.