Anvaila Emerson, a vibrant party lover, juggles her crush on Kevin Diaz, the basketball team captain, and the return of mysterious Austin Smith to senior year. Caught in a high school drama, Anvaila faces the complexities of emotions, friendships, a...
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I had barely made it to the parking lot when I spotted Austin from across the yard. Of course. I knew the universe had a sense of humour. I had been avoiding him-trying to, anyway-and yet here he was, as if I hadn't been doing everything in my power to ignore him.
He waved, that same mischievous grin already forming on his face. "Vinny!" he called out, jogging toward me like he hadn't noticed the storm cloud hovering over me. "What's up? Found out they're cancelling gym class or something?"
I clenched my jaw and fought the urge to roll my eyes. Why was he so impossible to avoid? "Austin, seriously, not now," I muttered, my tone sharper than I intended.
But, of course, he didn't listen. He never did. "Whoa, what's with the attitude? Someone nick your lunch or what?" He flashed that grin again, like he was playing some kind of game with me.
I spun around, my patience snapping. "Austin! Can you just... not?" I took a deep breath, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. "Can you for once, not make a joke? Not now, okay?"
His eyes widened, and for a moment, the smirk slipped off his face. He took a step back, hands raised like he was surrendering. "Alright, alright. Didn't mean to step on any landmines."
That was it. I couldn't stop myself anymore. The frustration poured out of me in an angry torrent. "You know what? It's not just about you, okay? It's everything. It's Kevin. I've had a crap day, and the last thing I need is you acting like everything's a joke!"
Austin blinked, clearly taken aback. His hands dropped to his sides, his usual cocky attitude fading into something more defensive. "Alright... didn't realise it was that bad."
I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest, regretting the words the moment they left my mouth. But it was too late now. He looked at me, confused and a bit hurt, and all I could think was how much I didn't want to hurt him. I had been avoiding him for a reason, but here I was, letting it all spill out.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled, the words tasted bitter in my mouth. "I didn't mean to... snap at you like that. It's just-it's been a day, okay? I've had enough of people pretending to care and then letting me down."
