A paper flew out my locker as soon as I opened it and as the other times my heart skipped a beat as I reach for it before anyone else noticed. A quick glance at it was enough to glanced the dark letters across it saying 'fake whore'. Fisting it into a ball I threw it back in before grabbing the posterboard for Economy's presentation and shut it closed.
The same person's been leaving hate notes like this one the whole week. I know its all the same person because they used the same caligrafhy and insults every time. Talking about originality, uh? The first day was the worst, not only because I wasn't expecting it but because it wasn't only a note. It was a printed picture of me. Kneeling on the school's back yard, head down and arms protectively over my shirtless torso as rain poured over me. This must be the picture Noel had taunted me about. Judging by its looks, it could only had been taken by Jade or Shannon and considering Jade's still expelled despites her parents efforts my bet would be on the brunette. Really, that girl gave me chills.
I was mortified it would come out and people would see me like this, but no. It only appeared in my locker, not in the advertising board nor hanging in the hallways. It was like a way to intimidate me but without making it too hardcore since now it was clear this kind of actions had punishments.
I kept the picture, in case I'd need it to report if this kept going but since then all I get were those childish insults. I mean, they hurt, but not much. I can handle them.
And now that I was running late for Economy I honestly couldn't care less.
I was so late that the hallway was already almost clear of students, just a few like me splashed around gathering things or running towards their class. My steps halted harshly when I reached the next corner and my eyes set on certain someone.
Damn.
Cold sweat covered my spine.
Luckly, Noel was busy talking to some other soccer player so I took that as my chance to walk back my steps. I'm taking the long way then. If my heart wasn't pounding so hard I would sigh at how late I was surely going to be now.
The phone buzzed in my pocked and I slipped it out as I made my way fast down the hallway, my brows knitting together when Dylan's name popped in the screen.
DYLAN: hi!!
its drew
I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn't imagining things. I wasn't, and the bewilderment only increased. Drew? The gorgeous girl who's helping me with the possible college opportunity? Why was she contacting me?
There was only one way to find out.
ALYSON: Hi! whats up?
The response didn't take much.
DYLAN: Wonderful!
do you like Dy?
I almost tripped over my feet at the sudden text, so I had to force myself to stop and reread it, momentarily forgetting my obnoxious delay to Economy. If I had been drinking, this would be this clitche moment when I would spill it out dramatically, but instead I just chocked on air like a moron.
My heart pounded wild in my chest after some more rereading. Blood pooled in my cheeks. What's up with the sudden out of blue question?
More texts came in.
DYLAN: I mean, hes cool
we should totally hang out sometime.
it could be fun dnt you think?
This was so weird.
More than weird.
It made no sense.
Why was Drew, the beautiful Intagram's star, asking me through Dylan's phone if I like him and if I wanted to hang out sometime? It made absolutely no sense. I saw as Dylan's contact went off line when I failed to answer, leaving me frowning at the screen and feeling stupid and slow.
What's going on?
To increase further the nonesense it didn't even lasted a few seconds before the state under his name shows they were online again, typing-
Someone harshly bumped into my shoulder and I crushed against the lockers with a loud thud. A pained whimper escaped me as I leaned against them, holding my pounding shoulder that had taken the worst hit. From the corner of my eyes I caught how that someone just laughed and kept walking.
"Oops." I looked up and immediately wished I didn't when I met Noel's eyes twisting in wickedness. He smirked at me over his shoulder on his withdraw and my stomach tied in painful knots. "Freak."
And just like that, he seemed to have fulfilled his aim and marched down the hallway, leaving me shaken. How great. It's been like that the whole week, he appeared out of nowhere, when there were barely anyone around and do something like that. Well, I could handle a bit shoving. I'd take it over the direct harassment like the other day in the canteen anytime.
A person turned the corner just as he reached it and Noel forcefully pushed them away. "Watch out."
Connor glared at him, his features harshly tense as he watched Noel kept going as if nothing, content with himself. Disgusting. Evening my breaths now that I knew he wouldn't do anything else I glanced around and picked up my bag that had slipped down my good shoulder as the other keep pulsing. Why couldn't he just ignored me? Why the need to keep hurting me?
I pushed off the lockers carefully bitting my lip at the bit of ache that throbbed from the spot where the hit had been received. The metal's squeal under my palm was louder than I'd thought in the silent hallway and Connor's attention was snapped at me, my stomach dipping as his dark gaze narrowed and slid from my eyes to my shoulder that I was still holding. I let go immediately, dropping my eyes self-consciously at yet again being in such a vulnerable state before Connor. No wonder he thought of me so lowly, being weak and a coward. He'd only seen me crumbling over and over under others pushing.
The posterboard and my phone were a couple feet away, and when I picked it up it has another small scratch on the upper screen. Awesome. It was rather small but it still sucking. If they keep pilling I would be needing a new phone soon. I almost sighed out oud in relief when I pressed the button the it unlocked without a bother.
Adjusting the bag on my good shoulder I glanced down at the device as it buzzed again and realized Dylan's been texting still.
DYLAN: OMG Im so sorry,
Drew stole my phone *emogy ashamed*
Dont listen to her, shes crazy
sorry to bother you
but she's kinda right. we should hang out sometime
I found myself smiling at his cuteness, my heart skipping a beat. Was this his way to asking me out? Or maybe it was just in a friendly way? Drew had asked me if I like him... and Macy and Norah had been kinda insistent to with the apparently 'thing' we had going on. Was it? Or was I just overthinking the whole thing. Did I wanted it to be true?
"What?" I almost jumped out of my skin at the sharp voice and my wide eyes met Connor's, suprised he still lingering around. More, he'd come closer and even if he was still wearing that imperturbable mask, his eyes were half hooded and swirling in dark emotions. My chest clenched at the look he was giving me, my shoulder and the phone. The little smile slowly dropping.
"H-hi." I suttered surprised he was here, talking to me, asking... asking what? "How are you? Did he hurt you?" I lowered my voice even if the hallway was empty but for the way his features darkened I could tell Connor didn't appreciate my question. "I-it's just that he c-can be harsh, you know. Sometimes. And since I saw him pushing you and... N-never mind." I noticed then the lack of backpack or books on him. Where was his stuff? Wouldn't he be needing it for this period? Unless... "Are you skipping again?" Still not voicing his thoughts his head tilted almost challengely as I gulped, shifting in my feet, intimidated at his impossing halo. "Well, I know it's not my business, I'm sorry. It's just that you know how would Norah get if she finds out." And not only Norah. After the little conversation I accidentally eavesdropped the other day when I acomanied my friend I was pretty sure his attitude with school-related-stuff wasn't only unproductive for him but it also was altering their already precarious family peace.
If possible, his demeanor turned even colder and a muscle of his jaw jumped. "Why would she find out?"
"I won't tell her." I rushed out, not wanting to risk it to look like I was a snitch. "I-I promise. I didn't mean it like that. It's none of my business whether you stay or cut class or- or... you know, go vandalize the backyard?" The tiniest corner of his lip twitch and my heart jolted with it, somehow making a chill spread slow from the pit of my stomach to the tip of every nerve end. "Is that where you're going?"
"No."Â was his sharp response, not like I expected anymore. I honestly was surprised he even stayed for this long. But what confused me further was when he stepped forward, closing the distance calm yet threateningly.
"T-to the library then?" I tried to keep the conversation going but he shook his head and asked on his own:
"Close your fist."
The suddenness of this request stunned me. "W-what?"
"Your fist." his chin stuck slightly pointing my hand as I raised it hesitantly. Unsure of what was his point I did as he asked, balling it. Yet he shook his head and my heart skipped a beat as he took my wrist, shaking it and my fingers loosened once more allowing him to position them as he wanted, keeping my thumb outside instead of wrapped in the middle. "Like this."
My brows pinched together, clueless at this whole scene. "What's the difference?"
"If you punch someone the other way you might break your thumb."
"What?" This time it came more scratchy and I immediately stepped backwards, making his hold on my wrist slid off and my heart picked up at his unbothered gaze. "I-I don't want to punch anyone." I stuttered just as my back met the coldness of the metal lockers and I straightened my spine against it, holding my breath when Connor stopped before me.
The tip of my sneakers almost brushing against his and now his tall frame looked even more menancing this close. I could feel my pulse racing at the way his eyes traced me up and down, taking in each inch of my face. What was he doing? I parted my lips to oppose again his violent idea but words failed me, stuck in my throat as his brows remained pursed in his natural glare, making me awkwardly hug the rolled paperboar, intimidated.
He was so close I could feel his body heat and caught his scent, like smoke and something else... something citric... aftershave? colone? champu? I didn't know, but whatever it was smelled nice. I noticed then again the black ink peaking up from the collar of his jumper, caressing the lower side of his neck and how his jaw clenched even more as his inspection advance. My mind keep rushing, basking it all and when his deep dark eyes focused back on mine something stirred in me, unsure how to feel or do about this.
"Whickman hurt you."
And just like that the weird bubble bursted and we were back in the hallway, practically cornered against the last row of lockers. His arm had come down at some point, pressing his palm inches beside my head and making the closeness buzz in the thick air as I tried to focus on the words that'd left his mouth.
Noel. He said Noel hurt me. And he wasn't asking. I knew he hadn't seen it, but he wasn't asking and there was no way I could convince him he wasn't right. I could tell by the murderous, knowing glint in his orbs. He knew. I went to shrug but cringed midway when my shoulder throbbed in protest. "It's no big deal."
His glare hardened making my stomach twistched and I lowered my gaze ashamed. Once more, I was weak. The fist beside my head balled, pressing the knuckles against the metal and making my guts twitch. "No one's gonna stand up for you if you don't stand up for yourself." he spat and I nodded to the floor, tightening my hold on the paperboard almost afraid I might ruin it.
"I-I'm trying." I stuttered, pathetic to my own ears and even without looking at him anymore I could tell he wasn't buying it. I feel it in the waves of frustration and hidden anger emanating off him along with the citric-smoking scent and maybe that was what helped focusing on more considerations other than intimidation. The way he spoke, the rage he held within against everything and anyone, the cold way he carried himself around, detatched and harsh... I couldn't control my next question: "Why do you hate everyone?"
"Everyone hates me."
My brows knitted together, my head snapping up again at the immediate careless response. "That's not true." but Connor just shrugged, not even saying it as something bad, more as if something known he deals with everyday. It didn't seemed to bother him but it bothered me. I gulped but my mouth felt suddenly too dry. "I-I don't hate you."
My face heated up as soon as those words left my mouth, wondering what on earth possessed me to say that. Even if it was true, if something I knew about Connor that was his distaste for cheesiness and disgust he already felt for my weakness. This couldn't help my case with him.
His dark eyes dive on mine, halting my pulse for the longest second, making me imagine seven thousand possible ends of my stupid remark and none of them worked good for my self-esteem. Would he laugh? snap? glare and told me to stay the 'fuck off'? Yet Connor's reaction wasn't one of the ones I'd imagined.
He scoffed, the hem of his mouth twitching in the slightest but too fast for me to decipher it before going back to his inexpressive shield. "You are not everyone." my heart dipped to my stomach when he almost unconsciously took the hem of one of my long strands between his forefinger and thumb, twirling it lightly before letting go as if nothing happened and stepping away, only then making me realize I'd been holding my breath.
For a couple seconds I could only stood there, processing what happened -or at least trying to. Not everyone? Was that supposed to be an insult? A compliment? His stoic mask was back on as he tucked his hand on the pockets of his pants and tilted his head at me, completely impassive.
"What... what does that mean?"
Yet now I did get a more Connor-like response as he gave me a light headshake, rolling his eyes and side-stepping me without much of a word, leaving me there to gawk his back.
Well. Nice talk, I guess.
It took me another minute to realize I indeed needed to move. Confused beyond believe, I forced my mind off Norah's mysterious brother and retook my trek towards the class -by now I was really late. The phone was still in my hand and I noticed I had left Dylan double-cheked.
I reached the classroom's door and through it I heard the teacher's voice. Shit. It has already started.
Not wanting to leave him waiting I quickly typed back-
ALYSON: hahah It's fine,
and sure! I would love to :)
I hesitated before pressing send and shakily let out a breath. It's done. I locked the phone and finally made my way inside the room.
Ms Goldin stopped talking as soon as I knocked and whan I entered she sent me a narrowed stared.
"How nice of you to join us, miss White." my cheeks burned as a someone sniggered and lowered my face so the hair fall as a blind.
"I-I'm sorry. Won't happen again."
"Better not." she pointed to my seat. "Would you mind?"
Not needed to be asked twiced I strode there, sitting down and trying to disappear form the public eyes, not able to avoid the amused glance from my side, tho.
"Taking your time, uh?" joked Brett and I blushed harder, slouching further in my seat.
"I got distracted."
"Sure." The amused tone in his voice was evident and I bit my lip.
"Okay." Ms Goldin clapped her hands after the explanations she just made. "There's a lot of presentations due for today so we better get started, shouldn't we?" she looked down at her list. "Andy and James?"
Two guys from the back cursed under their breath but get up and towards the front. I could felt the nerves crippled my guts as well, knowing it was a matter of minutes we were called up there. I don't deal well, with attention. I hated being on the spotlight so you can imagine how was I feeling about this.
As they began their presentation, I unlaced the posterboard and straightened it over the table, smoothing the curving corners. From the corner of my eyes I caugh Brett glancing at it and when I sneaked a peak carefully I was baffled at the hint of anxiety in him. I tilted my head towards him and the suspitions only got more confirmed at how he was twisting the paper in his hands.
"What?" he whispered when he noticed my attention on him, careful not to disturb Andy and James's performance. The previous amusement was gone from his tone, overpowered by something else. More clues as to that something was wrong.
"Are you okay?" I found myself murmuring in the same tone and his eyes widened before he looked away.
"What? Of course." but the way he breathed out gave him away. I frowned and he brushed on hand throught his hair. "I'm just nervous, okay? I don't like stepping out there. That's it. No big deal."
Nervous? Of attention? Him?
"But...you play soccer."
Brett looked at me with a confused face.
"So?"
My scowl deepened. This confusing boy.
"You play in front the whole school and don't even blink."
"Yeah, well. My soccer skills are undeniable." my jaw almost drop in disbelieve. Wow. Cocky much, uh? But Brett just shrugged. If it wasn't for the movement of his throat when he gulped I would totally'd been oblivious at his anxious. He hid it well, but there it was. "I can't say the same about this shit."
I cautiously gaped at him, not sure why was he being so open with me out of the blue. Was this some trick? But if it was he was a heck good actor. Despites everything I found myself suffering with his distress and I wanted to face palmed myself.
I'm such a stupid idiot.
"You'll do good. Just picture everybody naked." I suggested with a shrug, but as soon as those words left my mouth his expression change. First into shock at my advise and then into something more complicated. His eyes trevelled down my body shamelessly and I felt myself burn under his gaze. A crooked smirk pulled the edge of his lips.
"Believe it or not, it's not working."
"Not me, you perv." I blushed harder and pushed his arm, embarrased, but he let out a silent laugh. I wanted to kick myself when my chest filled with warm.
"Just kidding." he fiddled with the paper looking down at it, nervous again. His lips parted as if to say something else but then the class erupted in claps and we looked to see the ones presentating before us just ended.
"Very well." smiled Mrs Goldin writting in her notebook. "Good job there but be careful with the graphics and edited them where I've told you. You process was right in almost all the points but its in the conclusion when you fail short. Check that out a little more. Okay, next ones... Alyson and Brett." she called glancing at us and Brett swallowed hard by my side.
When his eyes met mine I gave him a reassuring smile.
It didn't go half as bad as I was expecting. Despites his shaken state, Brett did good and the posterboard we'd made was A+ material. In the end miss Goldin only pointed out small things such as details on the process or the lack of conclusion. I get us out that last one argumenting since the project wasn't done already and this was just a check in how we were doing we didn't have a conclusion yet. And, I mean, it wasn't a lie.
By the time we came down and next ones took our place Brett let out a huge breath and you could see in his body lenguage how relief he was. Funny. Who would had thought he was such a big fan of presentations. I knew he didn't used to enjoy them but not to the point to became this anxiety mass.
We listen to our classmates presentation, taking notes on what could be applicated in our based on the teachers comments. When the bell rang over our heads I have a couple ideas to improve our work.
"So," Brett smirked by my side, catching my attention as I slid my backpack in place. "How many of them have you imagined naked, uh?"
My cheeks stung in embarrasment but the fact that he was back to his joking self felt good for some reason. "How many have you?" I teased back before realizing it and he didn't miss a beat.
"Only one." and winked.
He winked!
And, damn, the things it does to my chest. Not only his easy going attitude, but also the fact that... for the first time in forever we were taunting each other. Joking around like friends would do and I didn't know if it felt right or made me incredibly naive.
Either way, I swallowed a smile and proceeded: "Such a perv, aren't you?"
"What gave me away?"
"Mm." I tilted my head, poking my chin as if thinking. "Can't point it out. Maybe just you being you."
His eyes swirled in delight and fell in step with me to the door and out the classroom. His scent and presence tingling me like a lovely cloud. "Let me remind you, Lys, that was your advise."
"That you've followed."
"Details." he shrugged and this time I couldn't prevent it and laughed.
His suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and gave a baffled, mesmerized look; shattering the lightness of the moment and made me suddenly very self conscious under his burning stare. "What?" I questioned awkwardly, shifting on my feet. "What?" Did I just emabarrassed myself without noticing? I wouldn't be surprise if I did. I hid behind my hair.
"Nothing. It's just..." He shook his head and and gave a shy smile. Wait, shy? Brett? "You should smile more often, it looks good on you. I almost forget why you I call you Giggles."
"Oh." heat rose to my cheeks. Again. Did he just complimented me? Weird. I cleared my throat and looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm always smiling."
"Not to me, tho."
I frowned. Had he forget everything he had done to me? Did we really have to ruin the first time in a while we were getting along with those memories? How dared he?
"Well," I snapped and folded my arms. " It's not like you gave me reasons to, is it?"
He froze, suddenly a hurt look flashed behind his blue iris. "I..." I refused to felt guilty. I meant every word. But at the same time I kinda felt like I just pushed too far when we were on a good mod.
Great job, Alyson.
I shook it off, fighting back the thickness that filled the air suddenly. "Any way." I forced the smile back to my face. "Lighten up, we did good." I rose my hand for a high five, widening my eyes when I realized the supidity in my move but Brett responded to the gesture, chuckling.
"We did." his fingers slipped casually through mine as our palms connect and he eyed out hands, not making a move to immediately untangle them, then back at me and his lips parted. His eyes got this unreadable glance that got my lungs constricting. "Lys-"
"Can I take my friend?" Norah appeared out of nowhere and laced our arms, simultaniously pulling me after her so my hand slipped out Brett's. The tensions disolved in a heartbeat as if it was never there. She wincked at Brett amusedly. "I'll return her later. Bye! So," she whispered excitedly at me once we were out his earshot. "Even at risk of you getting mad at me again I'll dare to say it."
"Say what?"
"It. It! You been all adorable eyes and flying hearts, openly flirting with Lover Boy."
I chocked. "Was not!"
"Was to. Now spill it. What changed?"
********************
QUESTION: Brett or Connor?
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