Trials Of A Heart | ✔️

43

~Brielle's POV~

Startled by his response, I blinked up at him. "A match? Right now?" I echoed in shock, frowning as I watched him nod his head. "But it's lunch time." I mumbled.

Matias just shrugged his shoulders. "Look, it's not a big deal. He's just boxing, and he'll probably be back by the end of the day anyway." He assured me, probably trying to make me feel better, but it didn't work very well because now that I wasn't concerned about where he was, I was a little upset by something else. "Right." I said softly, weakly nodding my head. "Of course. I guess I'll see you later, or something." I told him, turning around and striding off before he could say a word.

I headed back into the building and sat down at the usual table that Phoenix and I sat together at during lunch, feeling a little embarrassed to be sitting all on my own. Everyone else was sitting with other people and yet here I was, sitting by myself at an empty table while I ate my lunch. In high school, I never really had to worry about sitting alone because I had Harmony. The only times I did were days that she was absent, but I'd grown so used to Phoenix constantly being around that I felt lonely eating on my own. At least he'll be back by the end of the day.

When lunch was over, I grabbed my backpack and practically ran out of the cafeteria area, heading towards my next class. After this, I had my fourth and last class of the day, which Phoenix and I had together. I found excitement bubbling up inside my chest and smiled to myself as I walked down the hall, trying not to be deterred by Phoenix's momentary absence. I'd see him in my next class, anyways.

**

I waited for the entirety of the class period for Phoenix to arrive, sneaking glances at the door with the hopes that he'd walk in eventually. However, he never did. The beginning of class came and went and, before I even knew it, the class had ended. Now I was worried. It was the end of the day and not only was Phoenix not here, but he still hadn't even texted me back yet. I couldn't help how much I was fretting over this.

Wondering if maybe he was outside in his car, I quickly grabbed my things and left the class, hurrying down the hall towards the front of the building. I walked out the front door and scanned my eyes across the different cars in the parking lot, including the ones that were coming and going. Yet still, I saw no sign of him, not even his car.

A deep frown formed on my lips as I stood by the curb, unsure of what to do. I didn't want to stand here waiting for Phoenix if he wasn't ever going to show, but I didn't know what else to do. I mean, I certainly wasn't going to walk home. That wasn't an option. My only real option was to take the bus back, which wasn't very appealing of an option but it was all I really had. Still, even knowing that, I stalled around a little longer, trying to wait it out with the hopes that Phoenix would eventually show up. I anxiously looked around the parking lot, biting on my lip as I fiddled with the straps dangling from my backpack.

After about ten minutes, my hope began to dwindle, but I wasn't sure what to do because the bus had definitely already passed by now. Not even the bus was an option for me now, but I really didn't want to walk all the way back home because the walk would've been at least an hour if I walked.

So I just kept waiting for Phoenix to show, and eventually ten minutes turned to twenty, and, of course, twenty minutes turned to thirty. I'd been waiting so long that there weren't even any more students coming and going through the parking lot. Now I was the only one, standing here like an idiot on the curb. It was clear to me that Phoenix wasn't going to come, so I began to leave. I was already going to get home late enough as it was.

I began to walk down the sidewalk, dreading the long stroll ahead that I had just to get home. I'd barely been walking a little more than five minutes before I heard the sound of a car pulling up beside me, slowly following me as I walked. At first I got a little paranoid, thinking someone was going to kidnap me or something, but then I recognized the car and a hard frown formed on my face as I stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. I turned towards the car and placed my hands on my hips, angrily staring at Phoenix as he rolled down the window of his car and peered at me with an innocent smile on his face, as if he'd done nothing.