New Heights (ONGOING)

•16•

* All Spanish translations are in the comments to avoid breaking immersion. *

The loud click of the garage door echoed throughout the parking deck, making Athena jump slightly, her small gasp barely audible. I caught it, though, and it made me chuckle under my breath.

Trying to close the short gap that had begun to grow, she quickened her strides, clearly trying to play it off like she wasn't fazed. But it was cute—the way she was scared by something so small and how she tried to match my pace without making it obvious.

Realizing what was happening, but not wanting to draw attention to it for her sake, I immediately slowed down, matching her pace instead.

We fell into a natural rhythm and once we were side by side, I could see her shoulders relax in my peripheral as she exhaled.

No me di cuenta que caminaba tan rápido I thought to myself.

The silence between us was comfortable, like everything around us was taking a breather. The only sound, besides the echo of our footsteps, was the crinkle of the student convenience shop bag swinging in her hand.

It was until Athena broke the quiet with a light jab to my arm. "Phoenix! Why would you almost break Dolan's hand?" Her voice sounding like she'd just remembered something that'd been bugging her.

I glanced down at her, more amused by her question.
"Who's Dolan?" I asked, my brows dropping in fake confusion.

She stared at me with a deadpan as I opened the passenger door for her, her face letting me know that she knew that I knew. Athena climbed into the truck, huffing out a thank you, and I waited for her to get settled before closing the door. As I walked around to the driver's side, I couldn't help the smirk tugging at my lips.

Of course I didn't forget what's his name. I thought as I placed her bags in the back. But the fact that she was bringing him up was starting to irritate me.

"Don't start acting, Phoenix. You know who Dolan is." She continued as I got in and pressed the start button, the engine groaning to life.

"Nah, don't ring no bells." I shook my head, driving home the point that I wasn't interested in discussing the weirdo. Trying to dismiss the growing irritation, I reached for my phone and turned on a random playlist, hoping the music would drown out the mental image of her smiling at him as she said goodbye.

Ella no es tuya Phoenix... todavía, I reminded myself in an effort to check the possessiveness creeping up on me.

Athena pulled me from my thoughts as she reached over, placing her hand on mine to stop me from shifting gears. Her touch was soft, and even when she pulled away, I could still feel the shape of her fingers on my skin.

My focus was entirely on her now, my arm coming to rest on the console between us, forgetting all about driving. I had to fight the urge to grab her hand and keep it there.

There was something in her eyes.
She was hesitant. That made me tense. I didn't like seeing it. I wanted her to feel that she could tell me anything.

No hesitating.

"Speaking of Dolan," she started, her voice softer now, and I could feel my muscles tighten at whatever was coming next. "I don't want you to look at me differently or anything when I say this, Phoenix, okay?"

Her tone had turned serious, and I could feel my heart rate pick up, my mind racing with all the worst-case scenarios. Did he hurt her? Did something happen?

He wouldn't be that stupid, right? Because I with no question would make bail.

Guaranteed.

"What is it, Athena?" I tried to keep my voice steady.