The Probability Of Not Loving You

Chapter 15~ Before

A piece of me ain't there
'Cause nothing can compare
To life when I was young
~Messages from her, Sabrina Claudio

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"How many roses did you get?" Anusha asked as they walked from her Politics Class to her locker.

As she rounded the corner onto the long hallway packed with lockers, her eyes met Alex's. For a brief moment her seventeen year old heart stopped. Ava would have thought she was having a coronary if Alex's smile didn't stop and start her heart a million times in a day. He looked away from talking to one of his friends. By now, she was a professional at pretending their relationship was innocent and had managed to get Alex on board as well.

Ava cleared her throat remembering that her friend had asked a question. She shrugged. "Oh, I don't know."

Anusha smirked. "You are not bothered that it's Valentine's Day and everyone is getting roses but you?" Anusha had a sturdy boyfriend and loved to show off her gifts from him.

"No." She wasn't bothered. Her flowers were probably waiting for her at home. As Ava took another step, she was stopped by a boy who was probably in the beginning of his high school career. He handed her a single red rose which she took reluctantly. The boy didn't say a word nor had he blushed. He had been sent.

Anusha laughed. "I guess someone has a crush."

Ava stood there as another boy followed with a similar flower. Another boy and another followed that they formed a line, one after the other. Her eyes wandered to Alex. Him and his friends were stood against the wall now, watching the commotion.

Alex's emotions gave nothing away. Her heart lurched with excitement hoping it was from him but his eyes were merely amused just like his friends. Ava was aware that it could have been from any of them and Alex would still manage to school his emotions. She didn't know how he did it. Just a mere touch from another girl on his arm made Ava lose her mind.

"You have a boyfriend, don't you?" Anusha asked amusedly. "Brandon would never do something cheesy like this. I'm jealous," she added thumbing the diamond bracelet she had received from said Brandon as though to remind Ava of the gift.

"I don't have a boyfriend," Ava said honestly. It was getting easier saying that. Alex wasn't her boyfriend. They were forever. Someone like that wasn't her boyfriend. No words could describe what Alex was to her.

"You most certainly have a secret admirer," she added nudging Ava. Ava hoped it wasn't another guy trying their luck. She was never awkward when guys asked her out, she had known who she wanted for long time. Saying no was easy and she quickly prepared herself to do so, although she imagined it would be very embarrassing for him after all the effort he put in. Another part of her hoped it was Alex but he was not showy. "I'm guessing he is going to show up with an even larger bouquet."

Ava held her breath as someone rounded the corner. This guy was much taller and bigger. He was muscular and had a rounded face. Ava thought she knew everyone in their year but she didn't recognise him. He was holding a small turquoise gift bag. Like the guys from before, he handed her the bag and didn't say anything.