ephemeral [ Conrad Fisher ]

39

THE BOOK OF NIGHT was the book I found myself so desperately trying to get lost in. I wanted the story to consume my mind, fragments of it visualized for just long enough to forget about the chaos surrounding me.

"Nox?" His voice is soft, and sweet god why does it have to be so sweet?

"Mhmm?" I don't tear my eyes from my book as the soft hum leaves my lips, I wanted to be strong, I needed to be strong to prove my point but I was scared that the moment my eyes met his all my resolve would disappear.

He settled beside me, so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body and hear each soft breath that left his lips. the familiar scent of his cologne wrapping around me like a familiar embrace.

"I just wanted to wish you good luck." He spoke softly, like he was scared that if he spoke too loud I would run without ever looking back.

"Thank you."

It wasn't until I heard the rusting of a bag that I pulled my eyes from my book "What's that?"

"Well, I just.. I just wanted to make it up to you and.." He hesitated for a moment before revealing the contents of the bag, his gesture both unexpected and touching. Sweet treats and books – my favorites. "Maybe I went overboard." he mumbles softly

I felt a pang of guilt tug at my heart, knowing that his thoughtful gesture was meant to make amends. "Thank you."

"Of course." he nods softly, "I was hoping we could talk."

I tensed at the request, my walls instinctively rising higher. "Conrad, please," I interjected, my voice tinged with desperation. "I don't think now is the time," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Please, I just want one thing this summer to not be tainted by you and Belly. That's all I'm asking."

He shook his head softly "No, Nox. I really need you to hear me out, I deserve to be-"

Before he could finish, Jeremiah and my mom popped into the living room, interrupting our conversation. Their timing couldn't have been more perfect. I felt a rush of relief wash over me as I glanced at them.

"Hey, Lennox, are you ready to go?" Jeremiah asked, a playful grin on his face.

I nodded, pushing myself up from the couch and leaving my book behind on the table. I didn't look back at Conrad as I followed Jeremiah and my mom out of the room, the weight of his words still lingering in the air.

"You okay?" Jeremiah asked me softly as we headed towards my moms car

"Never better." The lie rolled off my tongue easily, but the smile that followed came even easier.

PANIC settled in my chest as I looked through the crowd that surrounded the sand volleyball court once again. Where the fuck was Liam? The charity matches were supposed to begin in less than five minutes and I had no partner. There's no way I was going to forfeit, give up before I even tried. Not when I had spent so much time helping Susannah plan. Not when I had promised my mom I was going to do my best.

Frustrated tears filled my eyes as I pulled off my hoodie, sitting down on the bench as my fingers angrily wrote out a nasty text message to Liam. That dick, he had pushed so hard all summer for a chance with me, just to stand me up at the first chance. Had I truly been a bartering tool? A prize to be won in order to piss Conrad off?

"Lennox." Nicole's voice pulls me from my thoughts "Still no Liam?"

I shook my head, fighting back the frustrated tears that were threatening to spill over. "I don't know, Nic. That asshole definitely stood me up," I huffed as my eyes met hers

"Damn it," she swore softly, her brow furrowed with frustration. "Okay, we need to find you a partner. Let me make some calls, yeah? I'm sure I can get someone here before the matches start,"

I felt his presence before I heard his voice. "I can step in really, don't go looking for anyone else to be her partner, I'm here."

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. "And what, you're offering to be my knight in shining armor? Save the day and all that?" I retorted, my tone laced with sarcasm.

Conrad's expression softened, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Something like that," he replied, his eyes meeting mine with unwavering sincerity.

I chewed on my lip, torn between pride and practicality. "I don't need your help," I argued, though my resolve wavered as I glanced back at the empty court.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady. "Maybe not, but it's either me or forfeit. What other options do you have?" he countered, his voice calm and measured.

I can't help when my face scrunches up at his words, I truly had no other option did I? I was going to have to lean on him, I was going to have to take his help and let him be my partner like he always had.

"Fine." I look at him, determination set in my eyes "But this doesn't change anything between us." I push softly

"Got it. Let's kick some ass out there,"

As Conrad and I stepped onto the volleyball court, a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins. The sand was warm beneath my feet, the sun beating down on us as we prepared to battle it out. I could feel the weight of the moment as we faced off against Belly and Jeremiah, to me, it was so much more than raising money for charity, it was being able to finally beat Belly at something that she was supposed to be good at.

"Nice shot, Nox!" Conrad called out, a grin spreading across his face as I successfully spiked the ball past Belly and Jeremiah.

I rolled my eyes playfully, swatting at him with my free hand. "Stop teasing me, Conrad. I'm just trying to play my best," I replied, though a hint of amusement colored my tone.

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, yeah, sure you are. But we all know how much you love to win," he teased, his smirk widening as I shot him a mock glare.

Despite our banter, there was an undeniable chemistry between us, each rally bringing us closer together both on and off the court. Conrad's presence beside me was reassuring, his encouragement driving me to push harder, to play better.

And play better we did. With each point scored, our confidence grew, our teamwork impeccable as we seamlessly communicated without words, anticipating each other's moves with precision.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of intense back-and-forth, Conrad and I emerged victorious, our final spike landing just inside the line to seal our victory.

As the crowd erupted into cheers, Conrad pulled me into a tight embrace, lifting me off my feet in a moment of pure elation. "We did it, Nox," he exclaimed, his words soft and meant for me and only me as he held me close "I love all of you, Lennox. Even your competitiveness," he whispered softly, his breath warm against my ear.

I felt a rush of emotions surge through me, my heart skipping a beat at his confession. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could find the words, my mom and Susannah appeared on the court, cheering for us with infectious enthusiasm.

"Congratulations, you two!" my mom exclaimed, beaming with pride as she handed Conrad the trophy. "You played an amazing game, and for such a great cause."

Susannah nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with admiration. "We raised a significant amount of money for the charity. I'm so proud of you both," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

As I looked around at the faces of my friends and family, a sense of gratitude and pride washed over me. These people that surrounded me, they were the ones that loved me, that would rally for me and would always support me. I had found my people and I wasn't going to let them slip through my fingers