CLAIRE
I was more than a little on edge. Ever since my last run-in with Logan and his crew, Iâd been extra careful, making sure to keep a low profile.
My hood was always up, my head always down. Nancy had suggested it was best to stay under the radar because of Logan. And honestly, I bet Loganâs even more pissed off than before.
The first time, I had just run away from him, but now I had actually shot him.
Blake and Nick had been giving me strange looks lately, and Ashley seemed to hate that whenever she was talking to Blake, his gaze was on me.
I shrugged it off, of course, but I canât say Iâm upset about the fact that his attention is on me. Just seeing the look on Ashleyâs face is always worth it.
Her bright blue eyes filled with jealousy and anger whenever she noticed that Blake never paid attention to her. Sometimes, I couldnât help but smirk at Ashleyâs defeated expression.
Itâs been a week since my encounter with Logan, and Iâm not planning on going completely off the grid yet. I have another fight tomorrow, and Iâve been in the gym for three hours now.
Throwing kicks and punches at the red, heavy bag that hangs above the ground.
Itâs now December. The one month that is supposed to be filled with pure joy, happiness, laughter, and cheer!
Iâm excited that itâs almost Christmas time, but my hopes always seem to come crashing down when I wake up on Christmas day and realize that my parents have forgotten about it.
Of course, my parents make up for it once they realize their mistake, but they only give me one present.
I donât mind, though, because I know that they need the money and I have more than enough to pay for anything I want. But itâs still nice to know that your parents will get you something.
They usually remember my birthday, though. My mom will beat herself up about it for weeks whenever she forgets my birthday. Sheâs forgotten only three of my birthdays in my 17 years of living.
Not much, but I still donât mind. As soon as I threw one last kick at the bag, I heard the gym doors open. I didnât look back, too absorbed in my own thoughts and training to realize that someone had approached me.
âClaireâ¦â I heard a familiar voice say. A very familiar voice. I froze mid-punch. No, it couldnât be.
As I slowly turned around, my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
My hands became clammy and my heart rate sped up as I swallowed hard in shock. There, standing in all his glory, was none other than... ~James!
~
He broke out into a wide grin once he saw it really was me. But I was too shocked to even speak.
James, the boy I fell in love with, the boy who always made my heart skip a beat with just his smile, the boy who broke my heart, was standing right in front of me.
His warm brown eyes shone down on me with joy, his light smile still made my heart race, and his dark brown hair was swept to the side just as he always liked it.
His hands were shoved in his pockets, and he looked at me as though he was happy to see me.
I looked at him again. A tight blue shirt covered his torso along with a black leather jacket, and he was wearing light blue faded jeans with slight rips on the kneecaps.
He was leaning on his left foot. He looked so happy and carefree right now I was having a hard time processing it was, in fact, ~him.
~
I could still see his muscles through the shirt despite his jacket and how he flexed his arm every time he moved it. The more I looked at him, the more I understood why and how I fell for James in the first place.
âJ- Jamesâ¦â I finally stuttered out, still not sure of what to say. I mean, the last time I saw him, he had yelled at me and stormed off. Saying that love wasnât real and we were over.
But it didnât seem like I had to worry much about that because in the next moment, I was being wrapped up in a tight hug by James. I could feel my skin relax and warm as my heart rate increased rapidly.
I donât know what came over me, but I too, wrapped my arms around his torso, feeling how warm he was and I was already warm, and that caused a sudden smile to grace my lips.
I snuggled my face into his chest as he sighed and breathed in my scent.
I felt captivated by him, once again. But I remember when he walked out on me, how I vowed to myself Iâd never let him, or anyone else play me again.
But all thought seemed to leave my head once James was here.
âGawd, I missed youâ¦â I heard him murmur into my shoulder.
Hearing his voice just about sent me into a frenzy. I squeezed him tightly, trying to tell myself that this was real, and not a sick joke.
My answer seemed to be answered once he tightened his arms around me also.
Finally, coming back to reality, I pushed back and stared up at James in shock.
He stumbled back from the force, but held his balance and cocked his head to the side in confusion.
âWhat is it?â he finally asked, as if he hadnât done anything wrong.
My nose seemed to flare with anger at him now. How could he even act like nothing happened? How could he act like I havenât seen him in 2 years?
How could he just come back after 2 years of being gone and act like nothing ever happened?
I stalked up to him and poked him hard in the chest, my anger and rage set high off its limits for this boy.
âWhat is it? What is it?â I screamed in outrage.
âYou want to know what it is? Itâs the fact that you left me! Not the other way around! The fact that you broke up with me and crushed my heart like it was nothing!
âIt has to do with you, leaving for 2 gawd damn years and not even contacting me to tell me what the hell I did wrong!
âThe fact that I was blinded by rage, depression, and anger when you left! Should I continue, or is that enough!â I spat out.
My fist clenched together and my breathing became ragged. My chest heaved up and down from my mini outburst.
I glared at James now, as much as my body really did crave for his warmth and touch, my pride would not allow me too.
He took a deep breath and stepped forward as he put his hands on my shoulders, and as much as I hated, it relaxed me a bit.
Apparently, James noticed because he smiled at the effect he still had on me from two years ago.
I glared at the traitor standing before me. The deceitful, lying jerk that he was!
âClaire, I was scared, okay? You canât imagine how terrified I was the moment I realized I loved you. I was so afraid you were going to hurt me, so I did it first,â he stammered.
I let out a bitter laugh. âReally...? James, I know youâre not telling the truth. I know what you did,â I retorted.
Despite the impact he had on me, I wasnât done with him yet. This jerk was going to give me some answers!
âListen, Claire, Iâm sorry. I really am sorry and I donât know what you know but Iâm still sorry, Claire,â James pleaded, looking desperate and sincere.
But his apology couldnât erase the pain heâd caused. He didnât understand how deeply heâd hurt me.
I shook my head at his pitiful expression. âYou donât get it, do you?â I asked, forcing a smile.
He tilted his head, puzzled. âGet what?â he asked.
I laughed again, a harsh sound, as I reached into my bag for my ~glass~ water bottle. I had a collection of these.
For some reason, I never liked plastic water bottles. I preferred the feel of the hard, solid glass. Iâd buy several clear bottles and lids, and carry them with me as my water bottles.
Luckily, it was empty, so I walked back and handed it to James. He took it hesitantly, eyeing me warily.
âThrow it on the ground. Hard,â I commanded.
He looked at me as if Iâd lost my mind, but did as I asked, and threw the bottle on the ground.
It was well past eight oâclock and we were the only ones here.
The glass shattered with a loud, piercing sound. Iâd clean it up later. This was both amusing and a lesson for James.
âNow, say sorry,â I instructed again as I grabbed my bag and pulled up my hood.
James raised his eyebrows but didnât question me.
âSorry?â he asked, more of a question than a statement.
I chuckled at his reaction as I approached him in my black yoga pants, light blue t-shirt, and purple converse. James looked at the floor, then back up at me when nothing happened.
I shook my head sadly. He didnât get it. So, I said something else, something that might penetrate his thick skull.
I moved closer and whispered in his ear. He shivered as my warm breath brushed his skin. Goosebumps popped up on his skin. I smiled; ~Seems I affect him as much as he affects me.~
âActions speak louder than words, James.â With that, I zipped up my jacket and left James there to ponder.
Maybe then heâd understand that words alone wonât fix anything. That actions speak louder than words.