He's a Fanboy?!

He Gives Me The Dirtiest Look

"Oh," Brayden mumbles a swear. "Elle, I'm sorry."

"Ugh, don't apologize. I'm sick of that. It's not like it's your fault he's dead."

I watch Brayden's lips purse. "Is it hard?"

"Well, yeah," I pause. "But, hey, at least he was there. At least he stuck with me until the end. Cause, you know, my mom didn't."

"Elle... Why are you so far from home? You live in Calgary, right? Why are you at StarCross?"

The car stops at the red light and Brayden takes the chance to look me in the eye. I give him a small smile and stare back in the darkness.

"Because there are dorms here. Because I can afford to live here, alone, I don't have to live with some aunt or uncle that I can't stand. I can be independent here, and I don't have to be reminded of what I don't have," I say, barely louder than a whisper. "Anyway, I don't live in Calgary anymore. I live here."

I can tell that he wants to chide me. Force me into thinking about my future, about what the hell I'm going to do after I graduate. Which I know I have to start thinking about, but not yet.

In the end Brayden doesn't say anything back at all. Maybe he's still thinking about his ex. He just turns the car around, and we make our way back to StarCross.

Brayden and I quietly sneak back to my dorm at exactly 1:23 AM. I open the door silently, making sure it doesn't creak. I don't even turn the light on yet, so when I look back at Brayden I can hardly make out the features of his face. He stands barely two inches away, leaning against the doorframe.

"Hey. Thank you. For listening." I glance at his lips, feeling an overwhelming desire to kiss him then and there. "Good night, Elle."

I roll my eyes, even though he probably can't see. "Good morning, Brayden. Thank you for waking me up in the middle of the night. I appreciate it," I whisper sarcastically. I force myself to make eye contact, willing myself to stop staring at his lips.

I can make out his smile in the darkness. "No, really. Thanks." Brayden picks up my hand, causing my heartbeat to incline immediately. He squeezes it once before letting it fall.

Brayden's lips barely part, like he wants to say something. We are so close that I could stand on my toes and just do it. Just press my lips against his. It'd be so easy.

But then Brayden purses his lips and decides, out of nowhere, to wrap his arms around me. Startled, I react slowly in hugging back. I feel the heat of his lips against my ear as he whispers softly. "Goodbye." There is something in his tone, something laced into his voice that's trying to say more. I can't decipher it.

He breaks the connection and turns around so swiftly that I don't see his face before he promptly walks away. I feel my heartbeat gradually slow down and return to normal as I watch him disappear into the night.

"Goodbye," I mutter with a grin, then shut the door.

__________________________

Somehow, despite going to sleep at an unholy time, I wake up smiling to myself. I hug my pillow closer to me, grinning into it like it's him.

Positive thoughts run through my mind as I get ready and head to my first class: English with Mr. James. Where I sit next to Brayden.

It feels as if there is a hop in my step as I take a seat, like after last night our relationship has taken a step forward. Like maybe something could actually happen.

Laughter echoes in the halls and I casually glance at the door, singling out one voice. Brayden walks in surrounded by a group of people, all laughing and smiling together. A grin creeps up on my face from seeing him, so I fake cough to hide it. He takes a seat. Luke saunters in a minute later, shooting me a smile before proceeding to the back of the room.