Her and the Basketball Champion

chapter 46

Jonas

What is she doing to me?

It's so hard not to compliment her all the time, especially when she's in that green dress of hers. She never looks bad, even when she has her hijab wrapped around her head differently or more casually. She manages to pull it off perfectly.

I follow behind her, walking back into the living room to see a few people dancing to the music. I roam my eyes around the room, looking for one specific person, and when my eyes land on her, my stomach does a stupid little flip at the sight.

And it never does that stupid little flip.

She's laughing with Lily and a shorter girl who I don't know. Her cheeks are still flushed a light pink, and her eyes are crinkled at the edges because of how hard she's smiling. I can hear her laugh from here, and it makes me automatically smile to myself.

She's so gorgeous.

I think I'm just going to compliment her in my head and pretend I'm saying it to her face, since I know how intent she is on ignoring and avoiding me. I don't think that's really worked though, since we always end up running into each other one way or another.

The fight was just an excuse to see her in the Cafe again. I had seen her working that day through the window when I was walking past, and the next thing you know, I'm beat. I knew she would go all doctor on me if I came in looking like that, so I did. And she did. 

Call me crazy, but I'd do anything to see her, even if she hates me when I do. 

I watch as a figure walks up to them, his back facing me so I can't tell who it is from here. Eliza greets him with a smile, and my eyes narrow a fraction when I see him bend down to whisper something in her ear. 

Her cheeks grow darker at his comment, and then she's laughing at something he's said. I can feel anger and another emotion rising within me, but I push it down and turn away from them, hoping for an escape from this fucking torture. 

I guess I just have to accept that she's having fun with someone else instead of me. 

Fuck no. 

I weave my way through the crowd and  stand in the corner against the wall, so I can see everyone in the room. The LED lights are on, creating a purple glow in the room, and people are dancing to the music that's playing, talking and laughing along with their friends. 

Lily doesn't have alcohol at her parties for some unknown reason, so I decided to bring my own flask. I need to let loose and forget about her. At least for just one night. 

I take a swing, and my face automatically scrunches up at the sour, burning sensation in my throat as the vodka runs down it. I go to raise it to my lips again, but stop when I hear Lily calling for everyone to gather around the cake. 

I join everyone around the table, and suddenly the lights are out. The only lights in the room are from the candles on the cake, and people's phone lights as they video the scene in front of them.

I feel someone bump into my back, and turn around to tell them to watch where they're going before I hear a small muttered "Fuck me." I instantly recognise that voice, and the same thing she always says when she's being clumsy.

I look down at her, trying to tie her shoelaces. I have no fucking clue why she's doing it in the middle of the crowd, but I just pull her up and drag her forward towards the front so she can see Lily clearly.

I don't want her to miss this, and I know she'd want to see it first hand instead of stumbling over her shoes and regretting it later.

"Hey wha-"