Chapter forty-three | The Redemption Arc

Chapter forty-three | The Redemption Arc

Whispers followed me around, making me huff in annoyance. Running a hand through my hair, I glared at the people around me. Their prying eyes averted, but the hushed voice continued to float in the confined space of the locker room.

A hand patted on my back as Aaron appeared in my vision. His eyes were amused and curious as he gave me a slight smile. But hidden under the layers there was certain tightness to his features.

"So, what is exactly going on between you and Cynthia?" I opened my mouth to reply, but he beat me to it. "Don't bother lying. You guys aren't more discreet people."

Maybe holding each other's hands while walking through the school hallway in a very middle school way wasn't discreet enough. My brain snickered.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the absurd thoughts, I gave him a hesitant smile.

"We are not sure yet. We haven't decided on any labels." I added a shrug at the end for a nonchalant effort.

Aaron hummed in response and said nothing. "Well, best of luck for whatever you guys have."

With that, he excused himself and walked out of the locker rooms.

"Don't worry. He is fine," Michael reassured me, following Aaron out.

I barely had a moment to react before Connor tugged me to his side. A huge grin was plastered on his face as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Oh, boy! He will make you run too many laps around the field today," he spoke with a fake concern.

I lightly elbowed him in the stomach and pushed past the metal door. My steps came to an abrupt stop when Connor screeched.

"Wait!"

With eyes wild, I met his amused face. "What?" I asked, feeling startled.

Connor gave me a cheeky grin and pointed down at my laces. "Your laces are open."

I shook my head at his childish attitude and huffed in response. Getting down, I retied my laces, making two bunny ears just like they taught us as kids.

I looked up from my shoes as a shadow blocked the sunlight. My eyes narrowed as a familiar hulking figure appeared in my vision.

His words and actions from the past weekend flashed through my thoughts. His eyes were hard like mine, not betraying any other emotion than anger and resentment.

"What do you want, Everett!" I hissed. I expected some emotion or maybe a smirk on his face, but it remained an impassive mask.

Connor gazed at the scene attentively, searching for any form of threat from Jacob.

"I am not here to argue, Rodriguez. I just need to tell you something," he said in a cold, detached voice. "But I need to say it away from the prying ears." He gave Connor a meaningful glance.

"Connor, I'll be fine." I didn't move my eyes away from Jacob's steely gray ones, crossing my arms.

As Connor left, my defensive walls stood up high as my glare hardened. "Trying to sprout some shit to break Cynthia and me up? Welp, bad luck. It will not work."

Jacob's stance slumped as his face softened a bit. Pain shone through his eyes as he cleared his throat.

"I am not here to break you both up. I am..." He paused for a fateful second.

"I want to say I am sorry to kiss Cyn. I-I can't face Cynthia, but please tell her I am sorry for touching her and everything that I did or said to her in the past?"

I gaped up at him, feeling surprised. My eyes analyzed his features, trying to locate any deceit hidden behind his words.

"You love her?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Jacob gave me a defeated look and nodded.

"I have been in love with her for years. I never realized that my ways to pursue her were wrong. I never realized that in my hoard to gain her I hurt her too much. Her tears that day made me realize that," he said with a faraway look in his eyes.

"You know, for the years I have known Cynthia, I had never seen her cry. Not even when her sister was bitching her and bullying her. She was too strong for that shit. But that day seeing her cry because of me made me realize how much of a fuck face I was and how much I messed up." Jacob's voice broke at the end as tears pooled his eyes.

I was left wordless at his confession. Somehow some guilt sprouted in my heart too. I was the one to make Cynthia cry too.

Understanding that he wasn't getting any response from me, Jacob offered a small genuine smile. "I think I should leave. Your girlfriend seems quite irritated with my presence near you," he said, looking from over his shoulder.

"She is not my girlfriend. Not yet, anyway." It was beyond me why I blurted that out.

Jacob's lips tilted up in a smirk. "Then you better make her you girl before another nerd swoops in."

Suddenly the amusement in his eyes vanished as he offered me a soft glare.

"Take care of her and make sure that I don't find you kissing any random person, Elias. You break her heart, and I will break your bones."

He gave my shoulder a soft squeeze in warning, leaving me as someone from his team called for him.

My eyes flickered towards the cheer squad, where I could notice Cynthia looking towards me. I couldn't see her expression, but regardless, I waved towards her, making her wave back.

She was strong enough to make anyone fall in love with her. This simple fact made me feel both lucky and intimidated.

I have to make her my girl.

So, when the practices were over, I ran out of the sweat-stench room in a rush.

The horrid and overpowering smell of deodorants, socks, and sweat might have to do something with it.

Just as I made my way into the parking, I felt a feminine hand entwine with mine.

The sparks that the simple touch brought was enough for me to recognize the person.

With a soft smile gracing my lips, I stared down at Cynthia.

She gave me an enchanting smile with her cheeks flushed with her cheer practice.

The soft look was replaced by a curious one as she threw a look over my shoulder. "What was Jacob saying?"

My mind reeled back to our conversation as her fingers tightened around my hand. "He said he was sorry. Sorry for everything he ever said or did to you. Jacob couldn't muster the courage to say it himself, so he passed it on as a message."

Cynthia's face smoothed out as her eyes flickered behind me. I was sure she was staring towards Jacob.

With a sigh, she met my eyes and gave me a conflicted look. "Do you think I should forgive Jacob after everything?"

My hand raised to tuck a stray strand behind her ear as my eyes gazed deep into her cocoa ones.

"I think you should. Not for him, but for the sake of your sanity. Holding grudges just makes you feel bitter on the inside."

She sighed, hanging her head low. I squeezed her hand in comfort, letting her know that I was there with her.

"Tell Jacob that I forgive him. Just next time have the guts to apologize on the face. You know what, I hope he changes his act and doesn't have to apologize at all for his actions." I cracked a smile as her word and pulled my hand away, just to wrap it around her shoulder.

Pulling her deep into my side, we walked to the car silently.

"People are seriously interested in our relationship status," I muttered, giving the inquisitive eyes a scan.

Cynthia pulled her face out from my side and looked around. With a hum of the agreement at the back of her throat, her brown eyes curiously scanned the parking.

"They are hungry for drama and details."

I abruptly came to a halt and turned her around to face me. "So, let's give them something to talk about."

I cupped her face as realization dawned on her features.

As our noses barely grazed, I lightly whispered the words against her lips. "Can I?"

Cynthia could barely nod before my lips devoured hers. The kiss was electrifying, sending my emotions wild.

We pulled back breathless, gasping for air. "So, I was thinking..." I huffed in labored breaths.

"Yes?" Cynthia coaxed, making red cover my cheeks.

"I-I like you. No, scratch that, I love you. So, will you go out on a date with me, Cynthia Crimson?"