Page 5 of Only ever you-Ana & Byron (Blindsided #2)

A na and Byron (Results day)

GCSE results day ended with cola fizzing in paper cups and grease-slicked fingers at Pizza Corner, the appropriately named hole-in-the-wall on the street corner. They’d celebrated birthdays, exam endings, and even Cadi’s brief flirtation with vegetarianism there, always over Margherita pizza.

Earlier in the day, they had stood just outside the school gates, clutching brown envelopes filled with what felt like sticks of dynamite.

"I can't," Cadi said, gripping hers like it was cursed. "You open yours first."

"No way," Ana shot back. "You go first. You're the brave one."

"Brave? I cried when Edwin OD-ed in 'Little Miss Sunshine'." Ana stared at her envelope like it was a rabid dog .

After procrastinating for a full 10 minutes of 'you do it... no… you do it first’, they tore them open together, eyes scanning nervously, and then, almost at the exact same moment, their faces lit up.

Ana stared at her results sheet like she couldn't believe her eyes.

A* in English Literature. A* in English Language. A* in History. A* in French.

She blinked once...twice. Cleaned her glasses.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," she said flatly.

Cadi peeped over her shoulder before going elbow-deep in her envelope.

"Ana, that's insane. That was a clean sweep!"

"What'd you get?"

Cadi shoved her sheet at her. "A* in Bio and Chem, A in Maths, and-miracle of miracles, A in Physics."

Ana's jaw dropped. "You said Physics made you want to run away and join the circus."

"I still do," Cadi said, but she was already pulling Ana into a hug. "We did it! We actually did it!"

They jumped up and down like 10-year-olds, arms flailing, drawing amused glances from the teachers and one bored groundskeeper who had seen it all.

Gray strolled up a few minutes later, his envelope already folded and tucked into his back pocket, casual as ever.

"Well?" Cadi demanded, turning to him with flushed cheeks and tangled auburn curls.

"Three A-stars and an A," he said with that breath taking grin of his. "Didn't set fire to anything."

Cadi launched herself at him. "You legend!"

He caught her with a laugh, spinning her once before setting her down .

Ana grinned. "So med school's actually happening, then?"

He nodded. "Aye. Long road, but we're on it." Then, glancing at both of them, "Byron said he'd meet us at Pizza Corner. Said somethin' about celebratin' like champions."

Cadi raised an eyebrow. "Did he open his results yet?"

"No idea," Gray said as he slung his arm around Cadi’s slender shoulders. "But he sounded smug, so I'm guessin' it wasn't a total disaster."

They gathered their bags, still buzzing with adrenaline and relief, and made their way down the hill, already laughing and planning pizza toppings.

Once there, Gray crowded Cadi into the booth, his sheet folded once and shoved into his back pocket.

"Three A*s and an A," he repeated with a soft grin. "Not bad, eh?"

Cadi bumped her shoulder into him. "Same here. I think my Chemistry paper was marked by a saint."

He winked before stealing a kiss. "Either that or they were scared o' your handwriting."

Byron strolled in 5 minutes late, with his hair a mess and the envelope crumpled in his fist. He dropped into the seat beside Ana and relaxed into a lazy sprawl.

"Missed me?" he asked, already reaching for Ana’s waterglass. Byron had no boundaries.

"You're lucky you got here before the food," Ana replied. "We were about to declare you lost at sea. And stop manspreading."

"A* in PE and Geography," he announced, completely unbothered and not moving an inch. "A in English. Couple B's in Bio and Maths."

Ana raised an eyebrow. "So, you're strong, semi-literate, and moderately confused by numbers. Sounds about right."

He snorted. "Oi, I'll have you know that's a well-balanced academic profile. Can’t let my fans know how intelligent I actually am, aye? "

Gray reached over to clap him on the shoulder. "Not bad, lad."

Byron shrugged, "Could've been worse."

He leaned forward and pulled a small flask from his jacket pocket. "Right. Time to make this celebration proper."

Ana narrowed her eyes. "What is that?"

Byron grinned. "Bit of rum. Just a splash. We're all past 16. Practically pensioners."

Before anyone could protest, he unscrewed the lid and poured a dash into his own Coke, then topped up the others with a deft flick of the wrist. "Don't worry. Barely enough."

Cadi laughed. "You're going to get us arrested."

Gray raised his cup. "To not failing."

They clinked their plastic cups together, Ana more reluctantly than the others, and took a sip.

Ana winced, "That's foul."

Byron leaned closer. "Yeah, but you get used to it."

She shook her head.

They ordered two large pepperoni pizzas, garlic knots, and enough Coke to float Noah's Ark. Cadi and Gray were practically welded together, whispering and stealing kisses between bites. Ana pretended to be disgusted, but was actually feeling indulgent and maybe a little envious.

Byron leaned back, one foot propped on the edge of the seat. "So, what's the verdict then? A-Levels?"

"English Lit, History, French, and maybe Politics," Ana said, tearing off a piece of crust. "Journalism track."

"Course you are," he said, grinning. "I can see it now. Ana Bartolini, international correspondent. Sharp tongued hard arse."

Gray chuckled. "We're takin' Bio, Chem, and Maths. Med school or bust. "

Cadi nodded, chewing. "I might do Psych as well."

Byron gave a mock salute. "Lovebirds goin' into medicine. I'm takin' PE, Bio, Psych, might chuck Geography in if I need a backup."

Ana narrowed her eyes. "Wait, you're taking Psychology?"

He gave her a toothy grin. "Yep. And I've got a brilliant plan."

"Oh no," she muttered. "Here we go."

"You should take it too."

Ana blinked. "Why?"

"Cause I need someone to copy off, obviously."

She rolled her eyes. "That is not a good enough reason."

"Come on," he said, nudging her with his elbow. "You love all that people analysis crap. You're already readin' everyone's minds half the time. Might as well get graded for it."

"Four subjects are already a nightmare, Byron."

"Yeah, but if you take Psych, we can suffer together." He leaned in slightly. "Plus... I won't survive it without you, and you know it."

She looked at him. The grin was cheeky, but there was a glimmer of something behind it.

Ana sighed. "If you fail, I'm not including you in my UCAS reference."

"Deal," he said quickly. "But if you just tell 'em I'm fit and enthusiastic, that'll do it."

Later, when the plates were empty and the streetlights flicked on, Byron tugged her aside.

"Here," he said, shoving a small velvet pouch into her hand.

Ana raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

"Open it."

Inside was a silver charm bracelet, two tiny charms glinting in the light-a book, and an Eiffel Tower .

"I thought you liked stuff like this," he said, voice suddenly softer. "Y'know. Travel. Books. Words and wanderin'."

Ana stared down at the charms, then up at him.

"Just wanted to say thanks. For helpin' me. For... puttin' up with me," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable.

She fastened it onto her wrist slowly. "It's perfect."

Byron shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Reckon it suits you."

He didn't say anything else. Just stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked beside her like it was the most normal thing in the world.

And Ana, for once, didn't try to make a clever remark.

She just smiled.