falling for 13 || Johnny Kavanagh

You're So Confusing

G R A C E

It was absolutely lashing outside, rain soaking the school grounds and turning the courtyard into a series of puddles. I stood just inside the entrance to the main building, staring out at the downpour, trying to decide if it was worth risking a sprint across the yard to the science block.

I was late. Again. English had run over, and now I had only minutes to make it to Science. I glanced down at the stack of books in my arms and sighed. There was no avoiding it.

I yanked up my hood, pulled the collar of my jacket tight against my neck, and bolted out the door. The cold rain hit me immediately, drenching my uniform, and within seconds, my shoes were squelching in the deepening puddles. I hugged my books closer to my chest, trying to keep them from getting too wet as I ran, head down against the wind.

And that's when it happened.

I slammed into something solid and hard, sending my books flying. I staggered back, my heart racing, and blinked against the rain to see what—or who—I'd just crashed into.

Johnny Kavanagh.

Of course, it had to be him.

"Christ," he muttered, shaking his head like he couldn't believe it. "Watch where you're going, Gracie."

I ignored the way his voice sent a strange shiver down my spine and quickly bent down to retrieve my soaked books, my face flushing with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. Johnny crouched down beside me, picking up one of my sopping wet notebooks.

"I don't need your help," I muttered, snatching it from his hand before he could say anything else.

"I'm sure you don't," he replied dryly, not bothering to hide the smirk that was playing on his lips. He picked up another book and handed it to me, his fingers brushing against mine for the briefest second.

I pulled my hand back as if I'd been burned, standing up and clutching the wet books to my chest. My uniform was soaked, my hair sticking to my face, and I could feel the dampness creeping through every layer of clothing. And, of course, Johnny looked completely unfazed by the whole thing, standing there in his jacket with that smug look on his face, like I'd just provided his entertainment for the day.

"You always in a rush or is it just when see me?" Johnny asked, his tone light but there was an edge to his words.

I shot him a glare, too angry to come up with a decent reply. He knew exactly why I was avoiding him, but it was just like Johnny to pretend like nothing had happened, to act like everything was normal between us. But it wasn't. It hadn't been since last year.

After that stupid conversation. 'I thought you liked me...' Well, clearly I'd been wrong.

"Late for class," I said stiffly, turning to head toward the science building.

"Must be some class to make you sprint through a monsoon," Johnny called after me. "Or maybe you're just avoiding me? Still?"

I froze mid-step, my heart pounding. He wasn't supposed to mention it. He was supposed to ignore it, like I was trying to do. I turned around slowly, rain dripping from my hood, and met his eyes. They were stormy, a shade darker than usual, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of something—hurt, maybe? Frustration? But it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared.

"Why would I avoid you?" I said, forcing my voice to sound steady. "We're not even friends."

Johnny's smirk faltered, but only for a second. "That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

"Harsh?" I laughed, though it sounded bitter even to my own ears. "No, Johnny, it's just the truth."

He took a step toward me, the rain falling harder now, soaking us both to the bone. I could see the water dripping from his hair, the droplets catching on his eyelashes, but he didn't seem to care.