𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑒

Chapter 2 ~ Attention

Maddox

I feel like such a jerk. I was only playing with her and it looked like she was serious when she told me that it wasn't funny. I always get a kick out of teasing her but not today. She looked so miserable that I was already there and I had to take it a step further and take her book.

I swear to never touch any of her things ever again. Maybe I wasn't done teasing her, but I refuse to cross that line again.

After she stormed away I sat down in the spot she was in and thought about how I could have approached her differently. I don't have a mother around to show me how to treat a girl nicely. My father is never around and when he was, he was not nice to my mom.

All of the friends I had didn't treat their girlfriends with respect either, so really, the only source I have is common sense.

I will admit, I have had a tiny crush on her since I met her in class last year. I always wanted her attention, that's why I tried to be better than her. I was stupid for thinking that's how you get a girlfriend.

She was the first one to catch my eye in that class, she looked like she belonged there, with all the sports equipment. And I knew I had to outrun her when I saw how good she was at every sport. My father would tell me that I was useless if I let a girl beat me in something.

She hates me though. And we are rivals, we compete for everything. I make her believe she hates me so I can protect her from myself. I wouldn't let her date a guy like me, she has too much potential for that.

I will just stick to being her enemy.

🌿

I know for a fact that Willow comes from a family of hockey players. Her dad plays, her dad's best friend plays, and her dad's best friends son plays as well. That's why I'm practicing for hockey tryouts this weekend. I have a buddy coming over to teach me basics.

I never had an interest in hockey, but Willow made me. She loves hockey second best to her writing. She loves to tell stories to her friends about playing hockey with her dad. Maybe this will be good for me. If it doesn't benefit us, it might benefit me.

It takes me hours on end to even try to hit the puck with the stick without messing up. I got two goals which to me is process.

I feel so gross that I have to stop for the day so I can go home and shower. I live in an apartment studio. Dad always gave me money wherever I complained about him not being around. He thinks money will solve my loneliness.

I get my keys out to unlock my door and when I walk in, I see that I have yet to clean up. I groan and head straight for the shower not even taking a second look at the mess. I cook myself some pasta once I'm done with that and watch some hockey, to get the idea of it.

I learned how to cook from my auntie when I was younger. After mom passed, she took me in when dad didn't want me so she taught me how to cook. Telling me that a woman likes it when a guy can cook for her and that Italians should know how to cook.

But how was I supposed to know I was Italian when my father never once mentioned it. Mom was Italian, full Italian. I got most of my mom's features which I'm lucky for. I got made fun of for having an accent so I learned how to speak in an American accent so that I wouldn't be an outcast.

I wonder if Willow knows? I wonder if Willow likes pasta? I wonder if she likes a man who can cook?

I find myself constantly asking myself what Willow would like. She has a unique taste so I'm guessing she isn't a picky eater. I know that both of her parents are American but her mom's best friend is French and so that's a common food category for them to have.

How do I know this about her? I follow her sister on Instagram, which keeps me updated on Willows life. Her sister doesn't know that I'm her sister's enemy and that she hates me. But I like watching the stories with Willow in it. Which is rare since her home town is Minnesota.

I also might stalk Willows' page every so often. It's her fault her account is not private, she should know that I can see her profile. But I won't ever tell her.

I lay on my back and go through my phone, just talking about her makes me want to see her face. So I went to her Instagram and saw some pictures that she took today. I smile at them, I can't control my fingers as I double tap on the screen.

I gasp and cover my mouth and smack my face over and over again.

"Stupid, stupid stupid!" I yell at myself.

Not even a second later do I get a dm from her account.

willow.carter: "Why did you just like my picture?"

I bite my lip and groan at how I'm going to respond.

"It was an accident"

"How did you make that accident then?"

"Because I saw your page and clicked on it okay!"

"You're an idiot"

I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face.

"I know, idiot"

I turn my phone off and get in my covers finally. I don't bother looking at my phone when I hear it ding. I go back to thinking about what Willow's face looked like as she texted me. Was she annoyed? Was she being playful? I will never know huh?

Maybe I should be nicer to her so that I can know.