Unknown Number

by Victoria Hyder

  The only downside was that when Cavan was in his lectures he wasn’t able to reply as much as Lucas would have liked. It left him with a lot of free time on his hands. He even went as far as to logging onto his Facebook page and searching for Cavan. What he found amused him to no end; there were a lot of new photos tagged from the birthday weekend, and going all the way back, there were photos of Cavan with much shorter hair, thinner and looking adorably awkward in a park with his friends. Hovering the mouse over the blonde kid with the buttoned up shirt and stiff posture the name ‘Arthur Hummel’ appeared. The dark-haired girl with the stern face and almost-black eyes was tagged as ‘Sophie Geisler’.

  ‘Ah,’ he thought. ‘So that’s Cavan’s sister.’

  Despite what Cavan thought, there were actually a fair few photos of Lucas online, it was just that he asked his friends not to tag him in the pictures. Being a teacher didn’t leave one with a lot of freedom when it came to social media. One photo of him lying topless on a beach, and he’d be pulled up for exposing his students to his indecent behaviour outside of work.

  Not that he really cared about having an online presence at all.

  With a sigh, he shut down his laptop and went back into the living room to read his book and watch a documentary. Just another week and he would be off to Lincoln and get to enjoy the solitude of his cottage. He’d missed going for long walks along the fields and wondering idly around the small local towns and villages. It was such a different atmosphere to living near huge, booming cities like London.

  After the documentary finished, he was at a loss for a feasible reaction. He was feeling so listless that the moment Eleanor text him and asked if he wanted to help her walk the dogs, he’d actually said ‘yes’.

  Thursday PM

  Cavan fidgeted in his seat. He was supposed to be taking notes but for the life of him, he couldn't focus on anything other than the fact that Lucas was most likely busy and couldn't answer the texts Cavan had sent him almost seventeen minutes ago.

  SEVENTEEN MINUTES!

  Not that he was counting.

  Switching the song on his phone, he slumped back onto his bed and groaned. His leg jiggled. 'Text me back, text me back, text me back!' he willed his phone. He didn't want to keep harassing the older man, but he'd been on a high since his birthday over the weekend and he still hadn't come down from it. Now he had three weeks off for the Easter holidays and had no idea what to do with himself.

  'Come on!' he urged, 'Text me back!'

  When his phone did 'beep' he almost jumped from his bed in shock, before scrambling for his phone to open the message.

  (13:23) You're bored, aren't you?

  (13:27) Huh? No!

  (13:28) Why? What made you say that?

  (13:43) Because no self-respecting adult –least of all you –would start up a casual conversation with 'SAVE ME LUCAS! MY PARENT'S ARE TRYING TO KILL ME WITH IDLE CHATTER!'

  (13:46) … I feel like you're exaggerating.

  (13:47) [LUCAS SENT A SCREENSHOT]

  (13:49) Okay, maybe you weren't.

  (13:52) Why don't you go outside?

  (13:55) Outside? Like … with people?

  (13:57) Yes.

  (14:00) Lucas, I’m in a lecture. Can't you just come and rescue me?

  (14:04) How about we make a deal? If you can go the rest of this week being proactive and doing something different each day, I promise that, come Saturday, I'll rescue you.

  (14:07) How does that sound?

  (14:11) That just sounds completely unfair. I know you're not working right now. Nothing is stopping you from coming here to help me escape for this HELL!

  (14:13) Good grief, Cavan! You saw me just a few days ago.

  (14:15) You cannot miss me that much.

  (14:18) So what if I do? Does that bother you?

  (14:20) Cavan. Focus on your professor.

  (14:23) *pout* I’d rather focus on you.

  (14:25) What’re you doing that’s so important?

  (14:29) Packing a bunch of things to take up to my little cottage with me.

  (14:31) W-what?! You're going to your weapons arsenal without me? That's cruel, Lucas, even for you.

  (14:34) Oh pipe down. Like I said, if you behave yourself, I'll whisk you away for a few days.

  (14:37) Just FYI I'm glaring at my phone right now.

  (14:40) Good.

  (14:40) Are we still up for brunch this weekend?

  (14:42) I’m free if you are.

  (14:43) You could try and sound a little more enthusiastic about seeing me :/

  (14:45) Oh Cavan, light of my life! Hurry to me so that we may brunch together!

  (14:46) Okay, I take it back.

  (14:47) That was weird and creepy.

  (14:49) I think I need a shower after that.

  (14:51) Good. Now go and play with someone your own age for a while. I need to focus.

  (14:53) Grumpy teacher.

  (14:57) Snotty brat.

  Later that evening, Cavan frowned down at his phone screen; his chin planted on his knees. The weather outside was mild which meant there was literally nothing keeping him holed away indoors except for his own limited imagination. He huffed to himself. It was all well and good thinking of all these amazing things to go because life was 'too short' but the amount of people who actually did those things was rarer than people with green eyes.

  In the end he whipped out his phone and called Arthur.

  Once he'd hung-up, he'd messaged Zoe, Sidney and Chloe if they wanted to have go for a hike in the woods. Sidney and Chloe were game, but Zoe said that she still had some work to do which was due at the end of the week. Although apparently there was a house-party Thursday night and he should totally come if he didn't have any other plans.

  'Well,' Cavan thought begrudgingly, 'I guess that takes care of a few days.'

  For the time being, he needed to keep himself occupied until Arthur was free at 4PM.

  Saturday AM

  From Eleanor:

  (11:13) IS HE THERE YET?

  (11:16) Dear God woman will you fuck off and let me enjoy myself for once?

  (11:20) No! LUCAAAAAAAAS! I WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU’RE UP TO!

  (11:24) Can I just talk to you AFTER he’s gone home?

  (11:27) BUT LUCAS THAT’S SO LONG!

  (11:29) I know. That's why I suggested it.

  (11:30) LUCAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!

  (11:30) JUST FUCK OFF FRIZZ-FACE!

  (11:31) Poo :’(

  ~0~

  Lucas fiddled with his phone for a moment, his eyes occasionally drifting up to look at the door. He was nervous. He and Cavan had gone through a lot over the last couple of weeks and now he was going to be seeing the young man. As stupid as it was, he felt like a teenager again sneaking out to meet his crush! Although –Technically Cavan was the one being sneaky.

  Taking a sip from his tea, Lucas directed his gaze back towards the papers he was reading through and grading. Adjusting his glasses on his nose he exhaled deeply before getting to work. He was so engrossed in his marking that he jumped a little when a hand rested on his shoulder. Glaring up, he felt his insides twist when he saw Cavan’s pink-flushed face smiling down at him. Lucas suddenly forgot what words were and how to use them.

  “I was worried I’d gotten the wrong address!” Cavan gushed as he settled onto the opposite side of the booth and peeled off his gloves and scarf. “Have you been waiting long?”

  Reanimating, Lucas shook his head. “No, not really. About fifteen minutes.”

  Cavan nodded his smile barely faltering. Lucas looked back up at the younger man, raising an eyebrow at him. “Sorry I just … It still feels surreal somehow even after … well …”

  “Cavan.”

  “Yes?”

  “Would you like a drink?”

  Pink cheeks flushed a little brighter. “Er … Yes please.”

  Lucas smiled before excusing himself and heading up to the counter. It was only when he got there that he real
ised he hadn’t asked Cavan what he wanted. He decided to take a risk and just order the kid some coffee to help perk him up. It was a rather cold morning.

  Once he’d been served, Lucas returned to their booth and was surprised to find Cavan had unpacked some notebooks and a textbook from his bag. “So what is this?” he asked amused. “A study date?”

  Cavan blushed and ducked behind his fringe. “Sorry I just … needed to finish this off. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “How can I? I’m grading papers.”

  Cavan chuckled and gratefully accepted the coffee. “Oh, perfect! I’ve been gagging for a buzz all morning!”

  Lucas smirked and settled back into his chair. He watched as Cavan’s skin warmed to a soft, peachy colour and how his adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He hadn’t been able to appreciate it all properly when Cavan had stayed last weekend. It felt like a whole other lifetime ago, already. He didn’t realise he was staring until Cavan snapped his fingers at him. “Sorry. Zoned-out a little.”

  Cavan cocked his head to the side. God, he was so fucking cute! “Did you stay up late again? Were you reading?”

  “Hardly,” Lucas deadpanned. “I just couldn’t sleep.”

  “Oh. How come?”

  “I just … Guess I’m in the habit of not being comfortable. It’s bad, I know.”

  Cavan bit his bottom lip. “Well, if you like, maybe I could come and stay another time? You seemed to sleep okay when I was there?”

  Lucas felt his stomach jolt. “As … lovely as that sounds, I’m not sure how much sneaking around you can manage.”

  “As long as I get to see you, I’ll do it.”

  Lucas peered over the rim of his glasses. He was almost certain he saw the younger man squirm in his seat. Physically squirm, as though the mere sight of Lucas wearing glasses was the hottest thing on the planet. He really was giving Lucas too much power over him.

  “Cavan did you bring your homework here so I would help you?” Lucas asked in his sternest voice, blatantly deflecting to a safer topic.

  Cavan squirmed again. “Of course not!” he stated, “It’s a good thing I did though, seeing as you brought your own.”

  Lucas sighed and folded his arms over his chest. Fixing a firm stare at the younger man he leaned a little closer over the table. “Cavan, are we going to have to have a word about your being dishonest to your elders?”

  “Oh God …” Cavan groaned. He dropped his mop of messy brown hair onto his textbook. “Don’t do th-a-a-a-t!” he whined.

  Lucas chuckled. “Sorry. I wanted to see what it’d do to you.”

  “Fucker.”

  “Oi!” He smacked the kid upside the head. “This is a family place. No bad language.”

  Cavan peered up, chin resting on his book and glared. “Fine. Fudger. You’re a big mother-fudger!”

  Lucas snorted into his tea and dribbled some on his lap. He grimaced. Thank goodness he’d put napkins down there! Snatching a few more from the small silver dispenser he mopped himself up as Cavan apologised profusely. “You’re an insolent little turd, you know that?” he groused as he screwed the napkins up into a ball and tossed them to one side of their table.

  “I really am sorry,” Cavan frowned, his mouth turned down at the corners.

  “It’s okay.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Oi brat.” Cavan looked up. “Stop acting like a kicked puppy. How about we work for an hour and then grab something to eat?”

  “Can’t we have something now?”

  Lucas grimaced. “You want to eat and touch your books?”

  “Only something small.”

  Damnit, humans should not be allowed to evolve to be as cute as Cavan was! Grabbing a five pound note from his back pocket, Lucas handed it to Cavan. “Go on, kid, go feed yourself.”

  “Gee whiz Mr. Lucas! A whole five pounds? Good golly I must be your favourite!”

  “One more quip like that, Cavan,” Lucas said in a low sultry voice. “And I’ll bend you over my knee in front of all these patrons and given your arse a nice hiding, how does that sound?”

  Cavan seemed to struggle. Eventually, he leaned over the table and murmured, “Don’t make promises you can’t keep … sir.”

  Before Lucas could smack him up the head again, Cavan had rushed out of the booth and made his way up to the counter.

  Saturday PM

  “I’m really not sure I understand what they’re asking me on this.”

  Lucas glanced up at the frowning young man and raised his eyebrows questioningly. “Trouble?”

  “It’s just … it’s like they sound the questions in an overly philosophical way just to make it harder.”

  Lucas snickered and beckoned for the sheet. Cavan handed the whole thing over, pouting as he did so. Snatching the paper from the student, Lucas glanced over it, his mouth twitching into a strained smile after a while. “This isn’t that hard, kid.”

  “Well it must be because I don’t get it.”

  Lucas rolled his eyes a little before standing up and moving over to Cavan’s side of the table. The brunette shifted up in surprise to make room. Spreading out the sheet between them Lucas took a pen out and started to explain the question in an easier-to-grasp way. He even wrote it out in Cavan’s notebook for him. Cavan watched the older man work; the way he pointed his pen along the sentence, the quick, sharp scratching of his pen and the way his low, rhythmic voice spoke so close to Cavan’s ear. His face was so smooth, so stoic, like a beautiful Greek statue. Cavan swallowed thickly.

  “Is that easier for you?” Lucas asked.

  Cavan suddenly felt the urge to lean over and kiss him. It came out of nowhere and his chest instantly tightened as the idea flashed across his mind. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly for a moment before he coughed himself back to reality. “Um … Yes, that’s better.”

  Lucas smiled a little as he straightened back up against the booth. Cavan flushed a little, the pen feeling sweaty in his grip. He tightened his hold on it and started working his way through the question. He was hyper-aware of Lucas’s thigh resting gently against his own. Most of their morning went on in this fashion to the point that Cavan was giddy and fidgeting like a love-sick schoolboy.

  “You really do act like a teacher, you know?”

  Lucas cocked an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

  “Just the way you act,” Cavan shrugged. “Your mannerisms.”

  Narrowing his eyes, Lucas looked over the rim of his glasses. “Are you mocking me, brat?”

  “N-No! I just meant that –well –I kind of like it.” Cavan felt his cheeks flame up. He forced his gaze back to his assignment and ground his teeth together. God, he was going to kick himself! “Never mind,” he mumbled.