What the Heart Wants

Chapter Eight

I turned around to see Brian’s stormy blue eyes looking back into mine. “Oh hey, you scared me there!

“Sorry,” he mumbled back shyly while rubbing the back of his neck.

“No worries, so what’s up?”

“Can’t a guy just say hi?” he said giving me a playful nudge.

We both just laughed and continued to joke around for a few minutes. I loved how easy he was to talk to. We seemed to just click. My fun was soon ruined when I saw Alex marching towards us with a scowl on his face. He did not look happy. I wonder why he was so mad?

“Hey Alex, how’s it going?”

“How’s it going? Really, Lucy? I’ve been standing at the gates waiting for you for fifteen minutes! I was worried about you but as it turns out you’ve just been getting it on with my best friend and didn’t even think to let me know.”

Fifteen minutes? Wow, time flies when you’re having fun. “Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! I’m ready so we can just go now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Brian.” Brian gave me a friendly smile and wave whereas Alex just grunted. What was his deal?

I picked up my bag and practically ran after Alex to the gates. He was really not happy with me today. We made it out of the school grounds and Alex seemed to relax and slowed down. Thank god for that. I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with him if he went at that pace the whole way home.

Neither of us said a word. We just walked home in silence. It was starting to get awkward but I didn’t want to annoy Alex anymore so I didn’t try to make any conversation, although my phone soon broke the silence. I took it out of my pocket and unlocked it. I had a text.

Hey there beautiful. Shame we didn’t get much time to talk today. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. –Brian xoxo

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. He was just too damn cute. I could see Alex watching me out of the corner of my eye. He was totally trying to read my messages.

“So you and Brian, huh?” Wow. He was actually speaking to me now.

“What do you mean?”

“You two seemed to really hit it off today.” I saw him clench his jaw as he said that.

“Yea, I guess. You jealous?” I said in a joking way giving him a playful nudge. He took it super seriously.

“Pfft.. No..!”

“Relax, I was just joking! I thought you had a girlfriend anyway…”

“Who? Cassie? I thought I already explained about that. We’re like an on-off thing. We’ve never been in an actual relationship before. Besides, didn’t I say that I don’t keep girlfriends?”

“Oh.”

Well now it was awkward. I wish my stupid phone hadn’t of gone off now. It was easier just not talking than having this awkward silence between us. What did all this mean? Was Alex trying to say that he was jealous of Brian? Well that didn’t make any sense because he doesn’t have girlfriends. This just made no sense.

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things awkward. I just don’t think hanging out with Brian is such a good idea.”

I wanted to argue. To protest. To demand to know why. But I didn’t want to get into any arguments so instead I just nodded my head and tried to change the subject.

After that everything was fine. It was actually pretty good. Alex was out of his mood and there was no more awkwardness between us. We just chatted like we usually do and even joked around. I have to admit I was a little heart broken when we walked past the coffee shop we were in this morning. I was secretly hoping he’d want to go inside again. There was just something about him that made me always want to be around him. I guess today just wasn’t my lucky day.

We were fast approaching the lane and I knew our time together would soon come to an end. I couldn’t help but feel an ache in my chest. We had already passed Carol’s house so I knew Joan’s house was next. We stopped at the bottom of the drive and Alex turned to face me. Was he going to kiss me again? This time on the lips? He started smiling down at me and I could feel butterflies in my stomach. In fact, let me rephrase that, I could feel the whole freaking zoo in my stomach! I gazed up into those chocolate brown pools of his that I found myself getting lost in or dreaming about so many times. The suspense was unbearable and I was practically pouting. He leaned in… and hugged me. That was it. Not even a kiss on the cheek. Nothing. Just a hug. What the hell? I thought we were really hitting it off as well! “Bye, Lucy. See you tomorrow.” And with that he walked away.

“Well bye then...” I said to no one in particular.

I trudged up the lane feeling awfully disappointed. I was really hoping he would kiss me. I walked past Mrs Piers garden and saw her outside planting these beautiful white lilies. I called out a “Hello!” but she just frowned at me. That was odd. I walked over to her but she just carried on gardening.

“Mrs Piers, are you alright?” She mumbled back a barely audible “Yes,” and I knew something was definitely up.

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t like you hanging around with that boy, Lucy. I’ve heard stories about him. You’re a good girl and I don’t want you getting into trouble now.”

“You mean Alex? We’re just friends and besides he seems perfectly nice.”

“You listen to me and you stay away from him, child.”

“But, Mrs Piers-”

“No buts. I don’t want to hear any more about this. I’m only speaking to you because I wouldn’t want your mother to know who you’ve been hanging around with. Now run along, I’m sure you have homework to do.”

Wow this must be bad. Mrs Piers was always so friendly to me. She must have heard some awful things about Alex if she was being this strict about it. She’d always been a second mother to me but she’d only ever rarely told me off. It was all just so bizarre.

I continued my walk home with a million questions rattling around my head. Why did Alex want me to stay away from Brian? Weren’t they friends? And why was he acting so weird? And why didn’t he kiss me? And what did Mrs Piers hear about him? Alex. Alex. Alex. Alex. Alex. He seemed to be all that was on my mind. But then I pictured that ruffled sandy blonde hair and those crystal blue eyes…

***************************************

Song of the chapter is "When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars, it's kind of depressing but I really like it. Check out the video on the side :) And remember to comment, vote and follow please! Thanks<3