Levelling the Playing Field (HD&D Sequel)

Chapter 12 - He's a Musician

So the days have been going by slowly, and Jordan was still avoiding Arya though it was getting harder and harder to evade her since he promised to help her with her Computer Science work.

"Hey, Jordan,"

He'd turn and walk the other way.

"Hey, Jordan,"

He'd put his headphones in and ignore her.

Hey, Jordan,"

He'd walk into the restroom, whether it was the girls or guys.

Jordan sighed, she was going to talk to him sooner or later, and he wasn't ready to face her yet.

How could he look her in the eyes and pretend everything was okay. How could he act like seeing her with someone else wasn't causing this raging ache in his bones?

All he's been able to think about was how she was happy in someone else's arms, how she was laughing at someone else's jokes, how she believes she'd been destined for someone else. Like he doesn't exist like he doesn't matter.

He didn't realise how much he loved her until he watched her love someone else.

He had to get this out of his head. He slammed his locker door shut.

"Hey, Jordan,"

She'd caught him completely off guard. Her smile was ever-present, and Jordan temporarily lost himself in her eyes once more.

"Oh, hey," He said, returning to reality. He turned to look into his bag, avoiding looking at her. It didn't matter, though. He could smell her perfume, and whilst it usually engulfed him in a soft hug, he felt as if he was suffocating. As if her presence here was choking him.

"It's been a while, you know," She laughed casually, not sensing his discomfort. "Where have you been?"

"Oh, you know, been busy with school work," He waved off any attempt to make conversation. His poker face would have made Bennett proud.

Arya's smile fell slightly as he brushed off her attempts to talk to him.

"Last week, you said you'd help me with Computer Science, are you free any time soon?" She asked, worried by his grim expression.

Get your boyfriend to help you.

"I'm busy, sorry, you'll have to find someone else," He said, with no emotion held in his voice as he walked away from her. It took everything in him not to turn back towards her.

"Is there something wrong?" Arya called out. "Did I do something?"

"No, of course not," He began to walk away, his patience running out.

"It doesn't sound like it," Arya continued refusing to let it go.

"It's nothing," He grit out. He would not tell her that seeing her with her boyfriend upset him. How pathetic would he sound?

"I don't know what I've done. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," She called out, catching up with him and facing him once more.

Jordan looked down at her and clenched his jaw. She didn't even know why he was acting like this. For some reason, that stung more. He moved to walk past her, but she moved into his way.

"What's wrong?" Concerned laced her voice, Jordan almost broke. "Why are you upset with me?" She said a lot more clearly.

"How could I possibly be upset with you?" He started, resentment lacing his words. "You haven't done anything. You're perfect, Arya. I don't see how anyone could be mad at you. Go on, keep living your perfect little life. I don't want to be part of it," He knew she wasn't at fault, but once he started, he couldn't stop.