Chapter 67 CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

Chapter 67 CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
EVA’S POV

The moment the first exam ended, I was convinced I had forgotten everything I had ever learned.

“Never again,” Lily muttered beside me as she gathered her things. “I am never studying Maths again.”

Ryan laughed as we walked out of the examination hall, stretching his arms above his head as though he had just survived something far more traumatic than an exam.

“Cafeteria?” he suggested. “I need food before I start eating somebody.”

“Yes,” Lily immediately nodded. “Definitely. I am starving.”

I smiled at them, already reaching for my phone. “You guys go ahead. I’m going to meet Peter first.”

“Why?” Ryan asked. “Did he pack you lunch?”

“I wish,” I laughed at how far his imagination was from the truth. “He asked me to meet him. He has something for me I guess.”

My lie was believable so they easily did. They didn't object, Lily linking arms with Ryan as they began walking in the direction of the cafeteria.

“Fine. Meet us there when you're done.”

“I will.”

I waited until they disappeared down the hallway before turning in the opposite direction.

I had barely slept the previous night because of the exam, but somehow, the thought of seeing Josh had managed to keep me awake more than anything else.

I made my way toward the locker rooms, my heartbeat picking up the closer I got. It was deserted and I didn't need to think twice to know it was because of exams, a smile creeping towards my cheeks at the thought.

I was sneaking to the locker room to see Josh. To see my boyfriend.

The second I got to the entrance, his eyes found mine almost immediately.

He was leaning by a locker, his eyes fixed towards the entrance like he had been waiting for me all along. A smile pulled at his lips as he adjusted his posture, his hands slowly sliding into his pocket.

He wasn’t in a jersey this time. He was in a regular hoodie that reminded me of the hoodies I had buried in my closet. The hoodies I couldn’t wait to give back just few weeks ago. And now, the hoodies I was certain I was never giving back.

“Hey,” he took a step towards me and I did the same. “You came.”

“You asked me to,” I took another step closer, my movements slow. “Didn't you?”

“Yes, I did,” by the time he stopped, he was now in front of me, his gaze moving over my face. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I blushed.

He simply stared at me for a while longer then after moments of obvious hesitation, asked, “How was your exam?”

“Insane,” I replied without thinking. “I don't think calculus should be a subject humans study.”

He laughed softly before leaning closer, lowering his voice. “I think I agree with you on that.”

“I could barely even sleep all night.”

“Because of calculus?”

His response came so quickly it made my breath hitch. “Well, yeah, I guess.”

His hands moved to my face, tracing just underneath my eyes. “Was that the only reason?”

I swallowed. “Is there supposed to be another reason?”

“You tell me,” he breathed out. “Is there another reason you couldn’t sleep?”

My cheeks immediately heated up and before he could notice, I looked away and took a step backwards. His hands immediately fell from my face only to have his fingers brush against mine as I tried to stay away.

“Eva.”

I raised my head to look at him. He had a smile on his face that made my stomach twist. For a moment, neither of us said anything. Then before things could take a dangerous turn, I remembered why I had come.

“Josh?”

“Eva,” he stared directly at me.

I looked away. “You said there was something we needed to talk about, right?”

I returned my gaze to him, immediately noticing the slight change in his expression. “Yeah, I did.”

“But before that,” he added. “Do you have something you want to say?”

“What?”

“You look like you have something you have to say,” he reached for my hand. “It’s written all over your face. What is it?”

I bit my lip, wondering how he easily saw through me. I did have something I wanted to say to him.

“You go first.”

He shook his head. “No, you go first.”

“You can go first,” I insisted. “You were the one that asked us to meet to talk.”

“If I speak first, can you promise me you wouldn’t take back any of the things you actually want to say just because I might have a different view?”

“What?”

“I thought so too and I don't want that,” he gave my hands a squeeze. “So, go ahead and speak up first.”

I hesitated but eventually, spoke up. “Can we not tell anyone yet?”

He raised his brows. “Tell anyone what?”

“About us,” the words came out quieter than I intended.

His jaw tightened slightly, and for a second, I worried he was going to take it the wrong way.

“I just,” I quickly added. “I want to tell Lily myself. I know she’s your sister but I don't want her finding out from somebody else. And I definitely don't want Aaron hearing it from someone before I get the chance to explain things to him.”

“Aaron?” His expression immediately changed at the mention of Aaron. “Why are you bringing him up right now? Why does he even need an explanation?”

“Because,” my tongue curled in my cheeks. “He told me he likes me.”

Josh stared at me. “And?”

“And,” I could feel his grip around me tightening, “I just feel like I owe him an explanation.”

He pulled his hands away from mine immediately, the sudden absence of the warmth disappointing. “So, you don't want us—me to tell anyone because you’re scared of hurting Aaron’s feelings?”

“Don't put it like that,” I sighed. “I just don't want to hurt him. He doesn’t deserve it.”

“Was anything going on between you two?” he took a step backwards. “Something you aren’t telling me? Because I don't understand why you think you owe him anything.”

“I just told you he told me he likes me,” I ran my hands through my hair. “He pretty much asked me out and I think it’s only right I decline him politely.”

“I don't believe this, Eva,” he shook his head. “Aaron likes Indianna.”

“No, he doesn't,” I replied him. “Not anymore.”

He scoffed at me. “Yeah, sure.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I crossed my arms. “What exactly do you not believe? The fact that he likes me or the fact that he’s no longer into Indianna?”

“Maybe the fact that he’s no longer into Indianna,” he replied immediately. “Eva, he was obsessed with her. It still makes no sense that he’s suddenly into you and I don't understand how you can believe him—”

“But I’m supposed to believe you?”

“What?” the change in his expression was impossible to miss. “What do you mean by that?”

“You tell me,” my fingers curled. “You say I shouldn’t believe him cause it’s impossible for him to get over Indianna and now like me.”

“But then you also expect me to believe you’re also no longer into her but now into me.”

“God, Eva,” he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “You know I never liked Indianna like that.”

“Like that?” I almost laughed. “Like how? Enough to kiss and makeout with her more than three times? Enough to have half the school believe you’re dating? And oh, enough to have sex in your car but oh, not enough to ask her to be your official girlfriend?”

He immediately fell quiet. I didn't know why but something about the way he looked at me suddenly made my irritation grow.

Maybe because he sounded so certain about Aaron while expecting me to accept everything he said without question.

Josh stared at me like I had just slapped him. I could feel my face burning, but I didn't care anymore.

“You did all of that,” I continued, my voice shaking now. “And you're standing here telling me you never liked her?”

“Eva,” he took a step closer but I took one away from him. He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away. “Me and Indianna— it’s complicated but I can explain. Allow me explain.”

“I don't know, Josh,” I swallowed hard. “All I know is you don't get to tell me not to believe Aaron because he might have liked Indianna while expecting me to just forget that you and Indianna were practically sleeping together every chance you got.”

“Eva, it didn't mean anything.”

“Is that supposed to be consoling?” I blinked. “If you two could have done all of that and it still meant nothing to you then what am I—”

The rest of the words didn't come out. Probably because I was scared of them or probably because he looked just as scared to hear them.

My words were replaced by a sigh and before either of us could say anything else, the door behind Josh opened, footsteps quickly approaching.

“Josh?”

The voice was familiar. So familiar I didn't need to turn around to know it was Indianna walking up to us.

“Perfect timing.”

I watched him look at her and that was enough. I didn't spare either of them a single glance, immediately turning around to leave.

I didn't want to hear whatever she had come to say. I didn't want to know why she was here. I didn't even want to be standing there anymore.

“Eva—”

He sounded like he wanted to explain something but I was already stepping backward. “I have to go.”

“Wait.”

I shook my head. “I'll see you later.”

I didn't wait for his response. I turned and walked away, ignoring the way my chest tightened with every step.