The Thought Of You | ✎ on going

10

♡ALINA♡

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Walking along the isles of books I have come to realise that my life has hit rock bottom. I had always felt like I was floating away from my thoughts and feelings, about to finally hit the floor i so gently cascaded above. But now my life has went to shit, and now i have a loser following me around everywhere.

"For fuck sakes Alina. Are you just related to everyone in this goddamn town?." I turn to look at him. My eyes squint as they swirl with unpleasant feelings towards the boy. His eyes are a bright blue, and his eyelashes are thick. How lucky he must be.

"Maybe if you stop following me around you'll find out." I turn back around pushing the cart of books further down the narrow walkway.

Grandma was always strict about organization so I offered to help her at the bookstore for a few months before summer break. I so badly wish to take my offer back after finding out Austin also happens to volunteer here. But I can't. Not when my grandmother has been practically dragging herself around like dead weight. She needs as much help as she can get.

"So what you're related to coach too?." He asked angrily trailing behind me.

"If you mean my grandfather, yes." I stop the cart turning to him, his face twisting into an angry scowl. I don't understand why he hates me so much.

He lets out an unhappy grunt, like a child being told they can not have any candy. I fight a smile watching how pathetic he is acting to be considered someone so highly praised at school.

"Why are you smiling?." His top lip curves up in amusement.

"I find it amusing you're acting like a child." his grin falls. I pluck a book from the shelf and place it on the cart before pushing it further down the isle.

"I can't believe how obsessed you are." He laughs following hot on my trail. I stop my feet reputedly turning around in offence.

"Me obsessed with you?." I ask gagged by the thought.

He must be joking.

He leans against the bookshelf beside us, staring at me with an evil,ugly,stupid little smirk.
"I think you do."

I laugh, but the sound is humourless. I take intentional steps forward until i'm in front of him.
"I don't like you."  He smiles looking down at my lips then my eyes.

He shrugs and my anger only bubbles more. Rage cascades my body like a weighted blanket, and the hot blush of embarrassment tickles at my neck.

"It would explain why you act the way you do. Embarrassing me in-front of everyone." I didn't think it was possible but he made it happen. He took a larger step closer, our body's only inches away from touching one another. He smells like husky perfume, so sharp and so intimidating.

I don't move, instead just watching him as his grin stays plastered on his face. "I don't embarrass you. You embarrass yourself."

His head tilts to the side in amusement. "Oh yeah, how so?."

I take a cautious step back, scared he may be getting too close for my liking. Plus if he asks about it i can just lie to him and say his breath smells bad.

you know?, Since i embarrass him so much.

"You only think the things i do are embarrassing because no one has ever tried to put you in your place." I shrug. "You go around doing everything you want and being treated like a king while doing it."

He rolls his eyes, crossing his arms in a defensive matter.

"You only feel embarrassed because your fucking ego is huge and it's unbelievable to you that someone like me can destroy your pride in just a few seconds."  I shrug. "I'm not being mean, or cruel. I've always been honest with you."

He looks down at me, an emotion i can't recognize swirls spirals in his eyes. His jaw tightens, but his eyes never stray away from me.

"I don't have a big ego." He states, mindlessly.

I squint at him in challenge before coming very close to him. I walk up, and stand on my toes, our faces now face to face. Then when we are close enough, i lean in.

He doesn't budge, but he also doesn't tell me to stop. Interesting. He's pressed behind the bookshelf, and only then do i realize how strikingly blue his eyes are.

I snap out of it, pulling my hand up and grabbing a book behind his head and pushing it to the ground. It falls to the ground with a large SMACK and i have to take a step back to regain my composure.

"Pick it up." I state.

He stares at the book on the floor, before his eyes furrow on mine. I don't pick it up. Instead i begin to walk away.

I walk to the book kart, looking at all the books on it as the question i wanted him to say finally spills from his lips.

"What do you mean pick it up?. You dropped it." He says angrily.

I laugh in disagreement. "No, last time i checked you dropped it."

I don't look at him, but i can feel the anger radiating off his body and voice."You can't expect me t-"

"Is everything okay honey?." Nana cuts him off, walking down the isle mindless to the argument that happened five seconds before.

Perfect.

"Don't worry everything's fine. Austin was just fooling around," I laugh. "I told him to pick up the books, but it's okay i'll do it." I begin to turn around, and when i do i almost fight the laugh brewing in my throat.

He looks furious.

I begin to walk up to the books, but before i can he cuts in-front of me cursing under his breath.

"No it's okay i'll do it." He says through his teeth.

I smile once more in Victory, happy that i finally got him to pick up the books he so whole heartily refused he wouldn't.

"Okay," nan says walking beside us, she pats Austin's back from the floor and i can't help but stifle a laugh.

"i'm going to go now.." She doesn't wait for a reply before she begins walking away. Even if i gave her one i don't think it will really change anything.

She's been gone for a while.

Once she's away Austin stands up and shoves the book to my chest.

I look away from her back to Austin."Did i hurt your pride?." I ask smug. I know i'm being a bitch but oh was it so fun.

"No." He says, but the way his nostrils flare, and the way his jaw tighten i know i've won something.

"Say what you want pretty boy. I will still think you're lying."