Rancorous

Chapter 16

PRESENT

Brevin

The gym is moderately filled with friends and family members of the girls on the volleyball team. As soon as we enter the gym, my eyes automatically zone in on her. It seems like they always do. Like she's somehow a magnetic force when it comes to my eyes.

Her long black hair is pulled back into a pony tail that falls down the length of her back in soft waves. The pale blue shirt she wears is quite tight on her. She turns to the side to talk to her teammate. The white shorts reveal her smooth tan legs, my fingers tingling with a foreign compulsion.

"Let's sit over here." Reth leads the way to an open spot on the bleachers.

I seal my lips, not even remembering when they separated. My mouth feels dry, and I swallow to take care of my scratchy throat.

Following Reth and Urvan, I sit with them. There are empty spaces all around us which I figure isn't out of the ordinary for such a small town.

"Is there a concession somewhere?" Reth sits up straighter, his eyes drifting all across the room.

"Doubt it. This is a public school in an unremarkable town." Urvan pulls out a packet of gummy bears from the front pocket of his black hoodie. "This is nothing like Coventry."

Comparing Coventry High and Elk Grove High is laughable. Coventry is like the most expensive meal at a 5 Michelin-Starred restaurant, while Elk Grove is like the gum at the bottom of my shoe.

Coventry hold their sport games with greater assets. They have concession stands at both ends of the court indoors and field outdoors, a large imposing score board, narrators on a high booth, and comfortable plush seats with cup holders. It's like that of a movie theater experience.

Reth frowns, and as he turns to look at Urvan chewing his candy, his mouth dropped in shock. "Hey, let me have some."

Urvan evades Reth's greedy hand. "Should've brought your own."

Reth gives him an annoyed look with a juvenile pout. His eyes flit around before a a huge grin overtakes his face. "No way, what is that?!" He points toward a random general area.

Urvan and I raise an eyebrow.

"Don't tell me that has actually worked before." I mutter.

Reth drops his hand and slouches. "Obviously not on me, but everyone else always falls for that."

"No way, what is that?" Urvan's voice comes out exaggerated as he points behind Reth.

Like the asinine guy that he is, Reth turns around. Urvan smacks the back of his head eliciting complaints from Reth and laughter from Urvan.

A whistle resounds in the gym and I return my attention to the game about to commence while the two guys to my left continue their bickering.

The teams huddle up with their respective coaches. After their pep talks, they chant their commitment before settling in their places. Coval remains at the back. The referee throws her the ball and then blows the whistle. Her ebony pony tail swaying as she serves the ball forth.

I can't keep my eyes off of her. Everyone is engrossed in the game. My staring at Coval falling unbeknowst to anyone. So, I let myself take her in. Let myself register the amount of time that has passed us by.

Her body changed, indisputably. But her face, and those eyes. The more I watch, the more evocation they bring me. And as the memories progress to the end of what we once had, a sense of loss begins to spark in my chest.

As if embers of its original flame have always been there, I just forgot it existed. I can't extinguish it. I spent the last five years trying to, and having her in my presence makes it all the more impossible.