180 Degrees- Completed

Chapter Twelve

I think I'd hung up the phone to James like 30 minutes after he'd called. The teasing had turned into us ranting at each other, bickering about I can't even remember what. All I can remember is laughing at how frustrated he was getting that I didn't agree with him and that lead to us both having a laughing fit. After that I was yawning and he demanded I went to sleep. It didn't take much to convince me. I was exhausted. 

I'd slept for a solid 7 hours which wasn't the best but I'd slept through for the first time since moving here. And I woke up feeling comfortable. Not on edge or weird. It felt like a home here now. I'd climbed out of bed, tidied my room, and then come straight out for a run. I'd shower after this anyway. I didn't plan on being out for too long. I really wanted to be home tonight. Just in my own world with myself for a little bit. I hadn't given myself enough time to myself this week and I knew it would be fleeting once classes start. Being with yourself is just as important as being with friends. 

It must have rained early this morning. The streets were dark and the air was still heavy with humidity. The smell coming from the woods surrounding me was filling my lungs with such a freshness, it was hard to describe. 

There's certain smells that make you naturally relax. For some people it's their grandparents' Apple Pie, Mom's freshly baked cookies, their favourite perfume. For me it was this. The woods after a rain storm. 

After an hour of running, I had to stop. Get myself a coffee before jogging back home to shower. I stopped outside the coffee shop. Catching my breathe a little before walking in and standing in the queue, pulling my phone out and turning the volume down. 

"That's a good song." I turned to the girl behind me. "Not many people know her." I smiled. "Sorry, It's like a magnet. I her her songs and my brain zero's in." 

"Oh. No it's fine don't worry. I'm the same. Certain artists, you don't expect to meet people who listen right?" 

"Exactly." She smiled, nodding brightly. "I'm Evelyn. Everyone calls me Ev." 

"Avery, or Vee. Depending on if you can get out the 3 syllables or not." She giggled, shaking my hand as we stepped forward in the queue. 

"You were at the party last night right? With the volley ball girls?" I nodded, raising an eyebrow. "That's cool. You seemed to fit right in with them. Not many girls are welcomed by them that easily. They're not bitches or anything, they just are very close. It's hard to break into that crowd."

"Yeah I got that from them. I'm from that kind of group though. My team back home was like that apart from one girl and I have a very similar personality to them so it kind of just seems like the right fit. I'm hoping I can join the team. Do you do any sports?" 

"I'm a cheerleader. Well. Will be. First year." 

"Oh fun!" I smiled. "What else are you doing here?" 

"Majoring in Music and Dance and then I'm taking a minor in Visual and Media studies." 

"You're looking to take over the music industry then?" 

"Hopefully. Have my name in big lights? Dance besides the biggest names? I'm down for that." She chuckled. "What about you?" 

"I am minoring in dance. Majoring in Psychology." She raised an eyebrow. "Parents forced my hand on psych. If it was up to me, I'd be doing similar stuff to you." 

"Music and dance?" 

"Yeah I think so." She smiled. We ordered our coffees and continued chatting. 

"Will you be going to many of those parties then? Your boyfriend looked more comfortable than you did." I laughed, feeling all the eyes from everyone in the shop on me as I covered my mouth. 

"He's not my boyfriend. He's just some guy I met last week. We've been talking and things. He kissed me twice last night but that's literally it." 

"That's not what he was saying." I raised my eyebrows, crossing my arms and raising one hip slightly. 

"Oh is it not?" 

"No." She laughed. "After he came back in all the guys were like surrounding him and I heard him say that you were his and everyone best keep their eyes and hands away from you." I chuckled. Oh I was so going to throw that back in his face tomorrow. 

"Did he say what would happen if they didn't?" My voice was laced with humour. That was 100% something James would do. It didn't even surprise me. 

"Something about break their faces." I laughed again, taking my coffee from the barista but not moving from beside her. 

"Okay I need to know more about what you heard him say because I really need to throw it back at him." I grinned and she giggled. 

"You're going to use it against him?" 

"Hell yes. It's our thing. There's this whole back and forth thing of us just pushing each other and pissing each other off." 

"You mean sexual tension?" I snickered. "I could sense it between you guys. I saw how he spun you around but you stopped him kissing you. Me and the girls were stood there watching you. He's pretty well known right? I'm guessing you know why." 

"Yeah. The girls told me last night. I didn't until then though." 

"Well we were watching you trying to work out how you'd managed to like hook him when so many girls had tried and he just didn't even bat an eyelid unless they were completely alone. Then there's him trying to kiss you and you refuse. We were all stood there like. This girl knows what she's doing to him and is owning it. Like we could tell from how you were being with him that you weren't going to let it be easy for him to get you." 

"Oh god know. He has to really work for it. He asked me out 4 times last night. Like on a date. I dodged it each time. Just didn't answer." 

"Is he a good kisser?" 

"So freaking good." I raised my eyebrows, sipping my drink. "After he left, after he kissed me goodbye. I literally stood there like just nothing in my head." I giggled. 

"Want to hang out?" 

"Sure thing. Sorry. I just did an hour long run, I'm a bit gross." 

"Oh me too don't worry!" Eve smiled, pulling her ponytail around her shoulder.