Simple Games

CHAPTER 19

It was Friday. I had stayed home the past couple days. Mom was out at work again so I decided to go to school not wanting to stay home lost in my thoughts.

I went through my locker switching out my stuff when I saw someone walk up to me from the corner of my eye. I closed my locker and looked at Ian as he approached me. He smiled as he looked at me, our eyes locking.

"Hey. I missed you this week."

"Sorry about that. I wasn't up to coming, you know?"

"Yeah I get it. I skipped a lot after the fights I picked. I'm just glad you're ok. You look better too."

"Yeah well I'm good with makeup."

We laughed a little at what I said. Ian lightly lifted his hand to brush his finger by the cut on my cheek. We stood there for a second just looking at each other when the bell rang. I smiled and looked at the ground, my hair coming down to cover my face.

"Well we better go."

Ian held out a hand and I looked at him before looking back at his hand. I hesitated putting my hand out there but the second I reached it out Ian took it and started walking. Our hands were connected and I liked the feeling of it. His hands were soft and rough at the same time and they were warm. It made me comfortable.

As we were walking I saw Zach in the distance. We locked eyes. He smiled before looking down at Ian and our hands. Pure anger was on his face. But so was something else.

Betrayal.

Without thinking I let go of Ian's hand and stopped staring at it.

What was I just doing?

"Sorry, was that too much?"

I looked back at Ian and sighed, shaking my head.

"No, sorry I'm just not used to it."

"Alright. I can back off."

Ian went on without me and I looked up hoping to see Zach still there but he wasn't. He was gone. Out of sight. I tried pushing the thoughts out of my head and continued to class. Since Ian went ahead without me he was already in the room when I walked in. It felt awkward walking in with him staring at me but I guess that's what I get for what just happened.

I quickly went to my seat not wanting any more attention on me. As I passed my Ian I felt his eyes on me the whole time. My heart started to race a bit as he did and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. I just wish this never happened. I couldn't handle all of this attention and excitement.

As I sat down in my seat and class started I pulled out my phone and saw I got a text from Zach.

Zach - 'We need to talk.'

This was expected after what he saw. Of course he'd want some answers. Some explanations to what was going on. By now I bet he's got a thousand ideas going through his head.

I feel bad. I didn't want to hurt him. I just don't understand my own feelings. God I wish I could figure things out soon so no more drama can happen. If there's one thing I hate, it's drama. And attention.

Why was this happening to me anyway? Why me? I wasn't anything special. I didn't think I'd have anyone fight over me.

I groaned and laid my head on my desk when I felt my phone vibrate telling me I had another message. I slowly turned it over and saw who the message was from.

My brother.

I jolted up getting some attention from the class and cleared my throat looking down at my textbook. Embarrassed, I opened up the text and looked at it.