HE IS HELL

Chapter eight

 Chapter eight

The next couple of weeks flew by so fast. College was going well, even if I had refused to socialize – I felt guilty towards one female in my class, she had greeted me and told me her name, yet silly me, was far too shy and nodded back without eye contact. I nodded, more like a tilt that was barely noticeable. I wish I had greeted her properly.

As the usual college day ended, I brought my lunch from Subway and walked to the field outside the front. Trees circled the area, with bright green grass that flooded across the dirt. It was a sight. Although I had hay fever, I could never resist nature. There was something so oddly calming about the way the wind bristled against the leaves on the branches and the soft sway of the grass. It was my peaceful escape. Unfortunately, there weren't many wooded areas where I lived – too many houses and cars ruined that. The council were currently making proposals for new builds at the end of my road, the last bit of green we had about to be overruled by bricks, cement and tyres.

I placed my black headphones on, shuffling my music. I was about to meet my best friend, Tristan –I always thought it was a shame we didn't work out as more than friends but I always respected his choice. Although I was incredibly bummed about it, I enjoyed his company and friendship.

Secretly, I do like Tristan quite a lot. But that will stay a secret.

I quickly ate my Subway that consisted of chicken, sweetcorn and tomatoes – not wanting to eat in front of Tristan as my mobile buzzed softly. 1 new message

From: Tristan

I'm here. Where are you?

I felt the butterflies as I quickly shushed them. As much as I did like Tristan, I knew I was too shy to be with him. Plus, he deserves someone better. Someone who could show him the world, rather than someone who's afraid of it.

To: Tristan

I'm just at the front. On the grass.

I saw the tall figure brush through the trees with my hooded eyes. Tristan was a sight to see. Short, naturally black hair with pale snow skin and the most gunmetal blue eyes I had ever seen. The color of his eyes changed depending on his mood – mostly they were cornflower blue – so bright and electric anyone would stop breathing at the sight of them. But, when they're gunmetal, he looked so mysterious and enticing I couldn't help but feel the puddle inside my knickers and the raise of my temperature. His shoulders were broad, thick with a muscular frame. Tristan went to the same college as me, him becoming a fitness trainer - you could tell with how his six-pack etched through his tight shirt and how bouncy his behind was from the unimaginable number of squats he must have done to earn that, while I studied art and ate almost double what he did.

As he walked over in his tight blue jeans with a gray shirt and his black tweed coat hanging over his shoulder I gulped, internally shaking my head. Stop it, you can't. Tristan doesn't like you like that and you have Matthew – Matthew – I quickly checked my phone again, a small amount of guilt formed from not sending Matthew a message. That quickly left as I saw no message; he hadn't messaged me all day.

"Katherine, hey, sorry I'm a little late." Ah, his voice is so deep and assertive. STOP IT.

"Hey Tristan, it's OK. I was just listening to music anyway. How was class?" I asked while he sat beside me. His scent drifted through the breeze, welcoming my nostrils in the warmest cinnamon smell I've ever breathed in. Tristan had this aurora about him, one of an orange warmth and full of igniting bliss with shards of glass and black feathers. He was a mix of the ocean and the sun. I couldn't put my finger on it, but Tristan, he's the one I'd want to keep beside me forever if I could.

Now though, he and I were just friends. I was in a relationship with - I think, Matthew and Tristan were speaking to another girl. "It was alright. Class went on a little longer than expected." He spoke with such charm. In another life, I'd have liked to be his forever.

I need to let him go. I had moved on and so has he. That's just how it is. As we talked, the butterflies eased with the realization of how far he had moved on. I felt upset at first but I was happy he had found someone that sounded like she made him happy. "How was the weekend with Matthew?"

"It was good, actually. I uh, well I'm not a virgin any more. I think we're together, too."

He grunted, nodding. "You think? Didn't you see each other a couple weeks back?" His eyes pierced me then, the gunmetal blue swirled around his iris.

Is he upset? "I think so. I mean, I haven't asked yet." I replied with confidence – he caught me as my voice cracked towards the end. It had been a couple weeks, I just didn't want to ask Matthew for fear of a quick shag being all that our weekend was.

"Ask him. You shouldn't be sitting here questioning it. Has he texted you today?" I shook my head. "Katherine." He smiled at me as his hand rested on mine. Tristan was always able to see right through me. "Text and ask. Then you'll know."

Breathing out a sigh I opened my mobile. I should text him.

To: Matthew

Hey Matthew, how's work? I was just wondering; do we have a label or are we friends? xx

I sent the message. My nerves crept up my throat as Tristan squeezed my hand. "Don't worry so much. Whichever way the outcome turns – at least you know." I nodded at the tall man reaching six foot one to my small five foot four frame. I found myself calming down with Tristans' scent. It's so warm... I thought to myself, wishing to be closer or to at least steal his jacket. It was wrong, I know. As much as I knew I needed to switch my feelings off with Tristan, I couldn't help but feel a strange yet deep attraction to him.

When we first met in a coffee café within the college, he was the only person I could see in the entire cafeteria and each time we said goodbye, Tristan would walk away only to look back at me as I did him. I convinced myself that meant he was the one, like in the romcoms. But he didn't feel the same and I needed to accept that. Nodding to myself, I put my mobile away, deciding for now – to forget about the text I had sent. I was afraid of the reply as I did enjoy my time with Matthew, yet, I was more afraid of how Tristan would react.

"So, you know I met Alice? We're going out this weekend to the canal." Tristan spoke, taking me away from my thoughts. The canal? But, that's our place.. "That's good." I replied. "I'll have to meet her one day."

"Yeah, I guess. We should go to the bus station. It's already nearly 5 pm."

The walk to the station was silent, us both content with the others presence. The city was busy, people shopping last minute to get the sales. Internally, I was laughing. Tristan and I people watched often as I looked at him, his eyes connecting with mine. Both, understanding the others thoughts as a woman ran past us, muttering to herself – her speediness making us both laugh. As we reached the station, Tristan said goodbye giving me a quick, brisk hug full of warming cinnamon and left towards the canal. I watched as he left, walking quickly through the crowd of people as he reached the corner – turning around, his eyes finding mine within moments as he waved. I waved back.

I quickly hopped on the bus, showing my ticket and sitting on the seat close to the window, placing my headphones back on. My phone buzzed once again – I opened it quickly, thinking Tristan had messaged.

1 new message.

From: Matthew