The Paths We Choose

Chatper 13 (pov elias)

I don't know what overcame me. Watching her talk with men I didn't know and refusing to wear the hoodie I gave her, even though I'm only doing it for her benefit, I grew angry. I should've never pulled her into that conversation.

This is what I mean when I say my presence in her life could only bring destruction. I wanted nothing more than a simple conversation, but I couldn't even do that right. I wasn't the one who hurt her, but that didn't matter. She was scared of me; I could see it in her eyes even after she recognized me. Her eyes never changed; the fear still lingered.

However, there was a notable shift when I embraced her; a sense of security enveloped her. She felt safe. Maybe not from me but she felt safe from the world and those forces that threatened her innocence.

Upon hearing her story, I was consumed by profound rage. Had she not been present before me, my fury would have driven me to seek out the individual who had caused her harm and ensure they never inflicted such pain again.

Women possess a captivating beauty and vitality, and there's men who are undeserving of laying a hand on them. I know, without a doubt, that Amber's father was among those who did not deserve such a privilege.

I decided that returning to class wasn't the best idea. She needed some time before seeing me again. Grabbing the hoodie she had thrown at me, I made my way to the parking lot and headed to my vehicle.

As I arrived at my car, I received a text from Cole, an old teammate, saying, "Let's meet up." I missed a lot of my teammates, and basketball in general, but I was trying to leave many things in my past. "Sorry, man, busy," I replied, although by "busy" I meant returning home.

Starting the engine, I drove off, letting Ballen Saint fade into the distance, much like I wished I could many things.

POV Lisa

I watched his empty seat for the rest of class, but he never returned. I didn't have a reason to be mad; I practically forced him to leave. As the bell rang and students rushed for the door, I sat there, hoping he would come back to retrieve his backpack, but he never did.

He wanted to get away from the crazy girl who pushed him in the hallway so badly that he forgot his belongings. "You've got to be kidding me," I huffed, rising from my seat because I knew I couldn't let him leave his stuff behind. I bent down, picked up his backpack, and followed the rest of my classmates out of the school building.

Spotting Liana by someone's vehicle, I made my way through the parking lot. The closer I got, the more I recognized Natalie's vehicle. She's the one who drove us that day. I had to suppress the memories I associated with it, memories that began with laughter but quickly turned into the horrific sight of my mother's passing.

Getting over her death was something I'd never do, but learning how to cope with it was necessary. Despite my desire to flee and find another ride home, Elias had essentially left us stranded.

As soon as I approached the girls, Natalia tilted her head and looked at me with sympathy. "Hey, Lisa, we haven't talked in a long time," she said. "Yeah, because my mother died," I thought to say, but luckily, I held back. It wasn't her fault; it wasn't anyone's fault that this tragedy had befallen me. "Yeah, sorry, I just fell off for a bit," I replied instead.

Natalie had always been understanding, and when I spoke, she could sense I was dealing with more than I let on. "Well, I missed you, and I'm glad we're talking again," she said, her words feeling familiar and comforting. "I missed you too," I meant it; I truly did.

"What's the extra bag for, Lisa?" Liana asked, noticing the additional bag on my arm. I glanced down at it. "It's a friend's, and I actually need to return it. Do you mind driving me later?" The thought of returning to that house didn't sound appealing, neither did seeing him again. Or did it? Liana looked like she had more questions but decided to let them go. "Of course," she replied.