Binary Star ~MILEVEN AU~

chapter twenty five

'I'm scared to love you, but I'm even more scared of walking away.'

Eleanor's heart was pounding, trying to fight its way out of the ribcage while her brain did the same with agonizing thoughts. Maybe she was just overthinking the whole thing. Mike and Max were two sides of the same coin in relationships. Mike's the angle, he's cheesy, does major sacrifices for his loved one, loves PDA, doesn't hesitate to show affection, endeavours his hardest to keep the relationship staunch. Max, on the other hand, is the devil, she's stubborn and sassy, breaks up with her boyfriend only chance she gets, hates PDA and doesn't show any form of endearment in front of the party and is broken up more than being committed throughout the relationship. Perhaps, that's why they hit it off, the perfect balance, the perfect opposites that attracted, the perfect couple. She slammed her locker shut as she let her thoughts take control of her.

But bigger questions lingered on her head. One, why did neither of them mention it? Was it because it meant nothing or because they felt guilty? If not, why aren't they official? Mike is single and Max appeared to be the other day at the cafeteria. Are they in a private relationship? Or did Mike still have feelings for El and dismiss Max? Two, if the secret relationship theory is true, why is Mike trying to get her back? Is it one of his squalid dares?

Her mind went back to the cause of this situation, El letting Mike into her life again for revenge. That's what she wanted, revenge but she wanted answers first. She needed answers. She still couldn't deduce why Mike would be heartbroken all this time if he'd already moved on with her ex-best friend.

"Hey, El!"

Speak of the devil. The brunette shook her thoughts before spinning around with a sceptical smile. "Hi."

"You okay?" his eyes searched for hers which was filled with discomfort. He fought the urge to hold her in his arms and talk about what's on her mind until her dimpled smile reappeared.

She let out a nervous chuckle, shoving her gold-copper locks behind her ears. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You've been avoiding me all week..."

"I needed time to think," she pressed her lips in a thin line, refusing to meet his orbs of chocolate pool.

"Think about what?"

This boy doesn't know crap about boundaries. "You," she waved her index fingers between them, "Us." My ex-best friend kissing my ex and keeping it a secret.

The sound of the bell ringing cut Mike off as the duo snapped back into reality, relief washed over Eleanor as she turned on her heel and started walking away so she didn't have to answer his investigation anymore.

"Wanna ditch?"

The caramel eyed girl locked eyes with her ex over her shoulder, the corners of her lips tugging up at the sensation of déjà vu.

"C'mon El, it's just a stupid assembly about homecoming," he whined, throwing his head back dramatically.

"You think homecoming is stupid?" she teased, raising her bows at him half-joking and half-serious.

I'd rather dance with you under the stars than with a bunch of jerks.

"Whatever you say, Romeo"