There's Nothing Left For You To Do, The Only Proof That I Need Is You [Private]

Do do, do do, do do do do do do do doooo, do do do do. Do do, do do, do do do do do do do do do doooooo, do do do do do...
I was sort of making my way through the library, while trying as hard as I could to stick to the shadows. Given Nyx being my mom, that shouldn't have been so hard. If I concentrated hard enough I could completely disappear in the shadows and no one would even know I was sneaking past. But I was having a tiny bit of a problem concentrating, so I had to live with the little cover I had. The Library was one of the safe houses, so it was sort of crowded in the stacks and out. So I was sort of trying to make my way along close to the books and let the natural shadows cloak me.
Yeah, try to babble yourself in to forgetting why exactly you're skulking along and try make yourself forget who exactly your skulking from. You can't hide from him forever you know. I beg to differ.

I was wearing a simple pair of black cargo pants with a white tank, and this pair of really awesome military-style boots which I'd bought ages ago and never thought I'd find the occasion to wear them. No jewelry, cause it was all in the Nyx Cabin, and a full black rucksack. Inside were some torches, some food, Ambrosia, Nectar, matches and spare weapons. I had a couple other pants and tops packed in at the bottom, which I had only just picked up on my way back from searching for some more food and water. The sun was maybe fifteen minutes away from setting, so I was back in good time to the Safe House.
My hair was tied back in a tight bun, and it was still slightly red from the last time it had been washed with the color. I'd not bothered redoing it, given the fact we were in a Zombie Apocalypse. No one should really worry about hair when they are fighting in a Zombie Apocalypse.

I wonder where Chase is? Has he made it back in time? He should have... what if he hasn't? I should be looking for him. He could be running late or anything and by the time I know it'll be too late and he'll be outside the safe house being eaten by Zombies...
Taking a deep breath I tried to calm myself down and slow my starting-to-speed-up heartbeat, even though I knew I should be looking for him. I should be making sure he was okay and I wasn't and it was sort of killing me.
But I just... really didn't want to talk to him. I didn't want to talk to him and see him and risk blurting out what I would eventually need to tell him and then watch as his face fell and he would frown and turn around and walk away even if I didn't know for sure he would do that but you never know what people will do and-
No more ands. Shush. Deep breath, and breathe out, and in, and don't be thinking of things you don't need to think about just yet.

It didn't take that much longer to reach one of the corners of the library, where two stacks met and left a slight gap. Pushing my rucksack into that small gap, I slid to the ground beside it and set about making myself more comfortable.

Come on Cole. How long do you think you can hide the truth? Hide whats happened, keep a secret, not see him? You can't even keep a secret that one of your friends tell you. How long do you think you can keep this to yourself? You're gonna have to tell him eventually and the longer you leave it the bigger the mess gets. Shut up You're just telling me to shut up cause you know I've got the right idea. Standing by the earlier sentence.
Cause talking to myself was such a great idea. In honesty I was pretty worried about myself. Isn't having two conflicted voices that argue inside my head a bad sign? It has to be one of the five steps towards madness or something like that.

I let my head loll back, leaning against one of the shelves, and I closed my mind against the outside world. I had a while. Maybe the whole night. Chase might not even find me. Maybe he was too busy. Maybe he'd gone to Aislyn, to keep her safe.
Is the Apocalypse gonna spread? Will it destroy Camp and then seep into the outside world, into New York? Into America? Would Aislyn be safe? Would anyone be safe?
I'd understand if he'd left. Course, I'd be sort of hurt he hadn't said goodbye...
Ahahaha. You would be hurt if he didn't say goodbye. What about him being hurt that you don't want to see him? But of course, you're only thinking about yourself right now! Kind Cole. Selfless Cole. More like selfish Cole. Why not grow a backbone. Stop arguing with yourself an-

I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of something crashing on the ground, and my eyes shot open. Expecting to find a laod of books piled on the ground and some kid staring around sheepishly, I was almost more shocked by the sight that was in front of me.
Is that.... is that Chase?
For a couple seconds I was really worried. Had he hurt himself? Was it serious?
But then I remembered what exactly I was doing. I was hiding. From Chase. And having Chase right here right now, however much he might be hurt, sort of wreaked the fact I was hiding from him and not wanting to speak to him.
I watched as he finally stood up, and made his way slowly over, but I looked down as soon as he was near enough for me to see his shadow.
'Hello Chase. I hope you didn't hurt yourself...'
I sort of twiddled my thumbs while waiting to see what he'd say, hoping it wouldn't involve the fact I sort of avoided him.

Crap crap crap, Cole this is just your luck why did you even think you'd be able to avoid him for even a little while, it was only a matter of time before the fates decided your life wasn't that hard and they needed to spice things up a bit.
'I did see you fall,' I nodded slightly, feeling terrible.
Any other time I probably would have been fussing over him and making sure he didn't have a head injury. But evidently I was so selfish that I wasn't gonna do that now.
'Um... I've been around. During the days I'm outside trying to find some supplies... and then of course at night I need to get in. I've been here, mostly. In this corner. I'm sorry if you were worried about me, but you should know by now I can take care of myself.'
I managed to make a small smile form on my lips, but inside I was trying very hard not to cry.
I was worried about you Chase. I wanted to know if you were okay. I needed to know. I'm sorry...

As he sat beside me, I had to fight the urge I had to cuddle into him. I missed Chase. A lot. But it wasn't as easy anymore.
Oh crap, I knew he was smart but... crap.
'Chase...'
I made a move like I was about to run my fingers through my hair, only to find that my hair was in a bun. So instead I sort of patted that and quickly put my hands back in my lap, rubbing them together. It took me a couple seconds longer to start talking again.
'I'm so sorry. That I've been... distant. I've just had a lot to think about, a lot too... work out,' I let out one big breath which I hadn't even realized I was holding before continuing, 'You... you haven't done anything. Its not you Chase, I swear.'

The sudden thud made me jump a little, and I instinctively moved a little closer to Chase, although I caught myself before I wrapped my arms around him and cuddled into him. Which I would have done under any other circumstance.
Course, even if I didn't put my arms around him, that didn't stop Chase. He put his arm around my shoulders, and my resolve started to collapse.
What gives me the right to hide stuff from Chase? What gives me that right?
'Chase I... I love you.'