Wish I Was Sorry

Chapter 2

Forever is a long time, especially when you spend it in the constant back and forth that I spend it in. You'd think that I'd have learned my lesson the first time. Don't get close to people. It's better to be alone. That way, no one gets hurt. You don't hurt people, and they don't hurt you. So why did I let Kendal convince me to go along with him to Summer Francis's get together? Why didn't I stand my ground and let him know that I wasn't interested in getting hurt or embarrassing myself? I guess I'm just a masochist.

"You know, if you keep your face like that, it'll freeze that way." He turned his attention from the road briefly gesture at my scowl.

"And do you know that if you keep driving this backed up chimney on wheels, it's gonna give you lung cancer?" I shot back, only half joking.

"Aw, you know you love her." He chuckled. "Hellfire was built to last."

"Oh, I bet." I replied absentmindedly. Kendal turned onto Summer's street.

"What's eating at you?" He asked.

"Nothing that matters." Came my mumbled reply.

"In that case, wipe the frown off your face and smile for once. We're going to a party. " He said with a smile. I rolled my eyes and chose to let him forget that the hostess still hated me.

Come to think of it, her boyfriend hates me too. Going to that party was begging for trouble.

Kendal chuckled and parked down the street. He got out then opened the door for me, putting his hand firmly on the small of my back.

"That's a nice dress by the way. "

He bought the dress, so there was no question about whether or not he liked it. What he meant was "You wore a dress with long sleeves. Smart."

To be fair, it really was a nice dress. It was short enough to catch attention, the dip in the front was just deep enough to keep it, but the sleeves were long enough to hide anything suspicious. It was perfect.

Kendal lead me into Summer's massive house. I was already regretting it. The place was packed. I barely had space to breathe. I felt Ken drop his hand from my back, then he shot me a look that told me that he was going for drinks. I shrugged him away and wiggled and squeezed my way to the couch. Between the suffocating atmosphere and the migraine inducing music, I was debating whether or not to walk the 20 miles home. My boyfriend would be occupied until Vodka-o-clock, walking seemed like the most realistic option. My train of thought was broken by someone shoving a drink in my face. I looked up quizzically and saw Axel staring down at me with the most blank stare that I ever had the displeasure of witnessing. We sat there in silence until he sighed in exasperation.

"Well? Do you want it or not?" He grumbled. I crinkled my nose and took it tentatively.

"Did you spit in it?" He smirked slightly and crossed his arms.

"Maybe."

I looked at my glass with uncertainty.

"It's a gift from Summer." He said finally. I put it on the table pointedly. If the drink came from Summer, I definitely wasn't touching it.

"Thanks." I mumbled, before looking up at him. He was as gorgeous as ever. His black hair was messy and looked like it hadn't seen a comb in 2 years, his eyes were stern yet curious, and I could practically hear the barbell in his tongue clicking against his teeth. He looked messy and nonchalant, but it worked for him. Now if only he smiled instead of scowling at me.

"Not that I'm not enjoying this conversation, but I thought you weren't talking to me. " I asked.

"I'm not."

"Then why are you talking to me?"

He rolled his eyes and sat on the armchair next to me.

"Chalk it up to my unbearable curiosity. "

"And what are we curious about?"

"Why you're here."

I stared at him. His question could be taken in 2 different ways - the first being why I'm at his ex's house (which is a reasonable question), the second being why I'm still in the country (which is slightly less reasonable).

"I mean that in every possible way you're thinking, by the way."

I huffed and looked out the window. "Ken dragged me here."

"Funny. I didn't think you were the kind to be dragged around 2 years ago."

"I guess you were wrong then."

"I was wrong about a lot of things apparently."

I heard my heart break in the awkward silence that followed. For a while, he looked everywhere but in my general direction, but then he finally spoke.

"Why don't you go home?"

"Ken has the keys. Besides, I can't drive stick."

"Do you want me to drive you home?"

I quickly contemplated the situation. Axel could drive me home. I have a ride home, but then Ken gets upset about me sneaking off and bringing a man - Axel no less - to his home. Then we'd fight, then I'd cry, then I'd bruise. I leaving with Axel was a bad idea. Besides, he was allegedly still mad at me. He'd probably drive off the road on purpose in a slick attempt at killing me.

"What, are you trying to get rid of me?" I joked. He raised a brow.

"Yes actually. " He stood up and frowned at me. After a speedy inner battle with himself, he reached out towards my face. I did something that I shouldn't have. I flinched as soon as his fingers brushed my cheek. He paused and looked at me curiously. He pushed a lock of hair behind my ear that I assume was bothering him then he analysed me from head to toe. His eyes landed on my long sleeves. He quickly put together that we were in the hottest month of the year and I was wearing a long sleeved dress. His eyes moved up to mine.

"Nice dress." He said simply. I nodded in response then watched him analyse me once more. He left not long after, but not before terrifying me with one simple sentence. I felt my heart bounce into my throat. I found it hard to breathe. I didn't know what to do. I should have been happy, but I wasn't. All I could hear was his too-calm voice saying it over and over again.

"We need to talk."