Trials Of A Heart | ✔️

19

~Brielle's POV~

That day, I ended up getting stuck outside during the entirety of my second class of the day, which just so happened to be art. Our teacher had said that we needed to find something in nature and take inspiration out of it, not to just draw what we were seeing. And because of this, Mrs. Alfalla, the arts teacher, decided that the best place for us to go was over by the big track that was up on a large hill upon the University's grounds.

I huffed as I walked up the hill with everyone else, feeling like I was sweating buckets. Not because it was hot outside, but rather because I was just that out of shape. When we finally got up the hill, I was surprised to find that the track was occupied currently by several men and women. They must've been out here for their PE class, I thought as I went to turn away, not very interested in what they were doing. Right up until I spotted a familiar face, that is. My eyes focused on Phoenix's large frame, his torso shirtless and dripping with sweat. I gaped at the sight of him as he ran along the track by himself, his dark hair pushed back and the rippling muscles of his abdomen shining beneath the sun. Droplets of sweat trailed down his pecs and over the ridges of his muscles, my face burning as I trailed my eyes down to the exposed v-line that led down into his shorts. He was really way too attractive for his own good, or for my good as well, for that matter.

Phoenix slowed his run to a jog and eventually came to a stop, breathing heavily as he grabbed a water bottle from the grass and opened it before taking several gulps from it. He seemed to notice our class arriving because he looked over at our group when he lowered the water bottle, twisting the cap back on. His brown eyes found me almost immediately, a smirk growing on his face as he noticed me checking him out. The water bottle in his hand was set back down in the grass and he sauntered his way over to my classes group of people, several girls eyeing him in a way that I had a feeling was similar to that of my ogling. Although it wasn't like I had any claim on him, I didn't want them staring at him, but I also couldn't blame them for looking. That man was beyond attractive.

He sauntered up to me, not paying any attention to the several pairs of eyes following him, and I felt my cheeks warm as he smirked down at me. "You enjoy the view?" He teased, a playful glint in his eyes. I shied away, trying to keep my eyes from wandering to his bare, glistening chest. "W-Where is your shirt at?" I squeaked, unintentionally looking down at his chest once again. His muscles looked even better up close.

"It's hot, Ellie." He shrugged, pushing his hair back. "And I'm all sweaty, too. Why would I wear a shirt?" He asked, cocking up a brow at me. I bit my lip and shuffled on my feet, fiddling with the sleeves of my cardigan as I peered up at him. "Because everyone is staring at you." I whispered, keeping my voice down so that only he could hear me. "Doesn't it make you uncomfortable?" I wondered.

Snorting, he just shook his head, glancing around at the other girls who were drooling over him with a disinterested look on his face. "Not really." He said, shrugging. A gust of wind blew past, making my hair fly into my face. "I box with my shirt off and people look at me when I do that, so I'm pretty used to it by now. It doesn't bother me." He explained. I pushed my hair out of my face, tucking the strands behind my ear despite the fact that I was well aware it probably now looked messy. "And I certainly don't mind it when you stare at me." He flirted casually, giving me a grin. I felt my heart pound faster in my chest, making my fingertips begin to shake slightly as I tried to control my nerves. It was odd; I'd had crushes before but never ones that made me feel like this.

"What makes you think I was staring?" I asked feebly, not wanting to admit it to him. He chuckled and raised a brow down at me, not looking very convinced by my attempts to play it off. "Mm, maybe the fact that I caught you looking at me like you wanted to have your wicked way with me." He teased, only flustering me even further.

"J-Just..." I stammered, instinctively grabbing his shoulders and turning him around. He grinned over his shoulder at me and laughed when I tried to push him forward, which I ultimately failed at. "You're getting so handsy, Ellie." He said playfully. I blushed and gripped his shoulders tighter, trying to push him away. "Just go back to working out or whatever!" I exclaimed, flustered.

Phoenix chuckled and spun around, making my hands slip from the back of his shoulders to the front of his chest. I scrunched up my nose at the damp feel of his skin. "Ew, you're all sweaty!" I cringed, pulling my hands away and wiping off the sweat on my pants. He snickered and playfully pressed closer to me, getting his sweaty body close enough to mine that I could smell him. "Phoenix, you stink." I told him thoughtlessly, placing my hands on his shoulders and gently pushing him back as I reared my head back. My sheer honesty made him laugh, his shoulders shaking beneath my palms. "Well, damn. Someone's gotten a little mean, huh?" He laughed, clearly not actually offended by my words.

"I'm sorry, but you smell sweaty." I giggled softly, hoping the color in my cheeks wasn't too intense. He reached up and gently grabbed my wrist, pulling my hand from off his shoulder yet not releasing his hold on me. "I guess I should go before your teacher comes and murders me." He said, glancing over at Mrs. Alfalla as she glared over at us. It was pretty obvious that Phoenix wasn't from our class, considering he was shirtless and sweaty.

He released my wrist and peered back down at me, giving me a playful wink before he turned around and stalked off, returning back to the track with the rest of his class.