Chapter 12 Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Chapter 12


Skylar

I knew that look when I looked at Leo; he raised his hands high in the air. He wanted to hit me, tempted to. I was so sure of it that I even closed my eyes so that maybe the impact would be different and it wouldn't be as painful as expected. But after a second nothing came. I opened my eyes. He couldn't retaliate, couldn't hit me; his eyes had softened. I could see the boy I once knew.

"Move from the door." It was more of an order than a request.

I did so; hitting him had been an insane thing to do, but I didn't regret it. He deserved it.

When he had left, I locked the door behind me and then stepped into the shower, washing my hair as well.

It took a while before I was out; from the window I could see Leo driving out. It wasn't a surprise, though. Nina should be in school now, so I had to take the bus if I intended to cover most of my classes.

I packed my hair in a ponytail style and then wore a burgundy cardigan with matching baggy jeans trousers.

It felt safer in this type of clothes.

I took the bus as expected, but I arrived at school late.

Nina had been looking for me; I could tell by the way she smiled when she saw me, but there was something more: her ears were dancing, a gesture she only used when she was extremely excited.

She was wearing those knee-length dresses she was known for; it was a cherry red and warming to the eyes. Her piano-colored hair was all over the place; she hadn't bothered putting it in shape a bit.

“Guess what,” she said, holding my hand and jumping on her feet.

“I can't guess. What is it? ”,

“You won't believe it,” she continued, her eyes wide with enthusiasm, as she whirled around like a ballerina.

I had to hold her to get a hang of things; she was a cheerful person, and her smile was infectious. “Did Clay ask you out?” My ears were twitching to hear some good news.

“Nope, Troy, he asked about you, and the whole student body was just watching us; it was hilarious.” She flipped her head backwards at that, very proud of her encounter, which to me was surprising because why not?

He had treated me like I was nothing this morning only to come looking for me in school, which made sense but didn't.

He was in on putting on an appearance in school. I didn't really know what to think or feel; I didn't know where I stood with him, and I didn't want to find out.

I looked at my wristwatch. It was a gift from my grandma; it has tiny rhinestones around the edges and strong brown leather with a gold design. Just a classic, but I love it. I actually loved Granna, so everything from her felt special.

It was past eleven, and the team was training. I had to be there—better late than never.

I waved Nina goodbye; we were going to catch up in class in an hour.

For now, she could continue in her delulu.

Troy could be spiteful, but the team needed me; left to me, I would steer away from him for the time being. But not the game. I have been an assistant for two years, and the whole time, I noticed something. I loved hockey. I loved the rink, the fierce fight, and how indomitable they were on the rink. That was hockey; that was the game I loved. It wasn't about Leo anymore.

To me, I think he was just a passerby, a person that brings a person to something they didn't know they liked.

Maybe it was really time to change Mr. Z's story in the blog; everyone would be stunned knowing that Mr. Z actually has good qualities, like having pinkies. That would get me more followers. I giggled inwardly; it was a nice idea, and I couldn't wait to start.

The training was over, and the team members were heading to the locker room when I came out to the big field. The quarterbacks used to play here as well, but for now they had been suspended.

I wondered if the ban would be lifted anytime soon. It was there even before I got into college.

I saw Troy from where I stood. What the hell was he doing?, I thought to myself.

Then I saw Tiffany; she was walking towards him, and she hadn't seen me. Both of them hadn't.

Was Tiffany the girl he had wanted to accommodate in the morning? Was he with me to make her jealous?

I didn't know what to think; if it were some other girl, I wouldn't mind, but not Tiffany, not the witch of the west.

She had touched him, and he had shoved her off. I felt it, partly jealous and partly irrational. My temper was starting to boil.

She was just so annoying; she hugged him, and he didn't fight back, not like I expected him to, but he didn't give in either.

Now my strides were faster; he had a horrified look on his face, but that couldn't be justified. He might as well just push that bitch away from himself and be done with it.

Unless he liked the bait, the way she lingered around him, like a moth drawn to a flame.

I couldn't take it anymore; I hated being upset because I could do things I would regret. But this time there were no regrets; she deserved it, every ounce of it.

I pulled her by the hair; she was better this way, in anguish and miserable. I pulled with every ounce of strength I could muster.

Hopefully most of her hair would shed off. She was on the floor in minutes, muttering threats. “In your dreams, bitch. Now run off to you-know-who,” I snapped as she stood and left.
I turned once more to Troy; his face, he was relieved, but I had my doubts. Tiffany was prettier than I was, so every guy would want her, and Troy just couldn't be the exception.

He opened his mouth to speak, to say something, but no words came out. I didn't have anything to say either, so I turned and left.

We were better this way. I didn't know if he was coming after me; I didn't care. We had a deal, and I was keeping to my own part of it, but deep down it hurts.

Not that I had feelings for him; I liked him, that's all.

The only gnashing pain I felt was that he couldn't resist Tiffany. She always threw it in my face that she was better and no one would ever love me. If Troy flopped, every word she said would be true, and it would haunt me. So I guess it w
asn't pain that I felt anyways.

It was fear, the type you were scared of experiencing.