fallout - r.b.

twenty one

talk tonight - oasis

I held my breath as Reece's gaze shifted from my lips back to my eyes. I was stricken by his green irises as I looked back at him. Our eyes stayed fixed, unwavering, like we were trying to find something in them--trying to read each other.

It was barely noticeable, the way we both slightly leaned in, our faces getting closer and closer until our noses gently brushed. This time, my eyes flicked to his lips. They were slightly swollen and a deep shade of pink from the injuries. I could feel his slow breaths on my skin.

His nose nudged mine, ever so slightly, as if it were prompting me to do something--to move closer, to pull away, to stop him, to kiss him. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. This was Reece, the Reece Bibby, and his lips were just millimetres away from being on mine.

Why wasn't he pulling away? And why didn't I want him to? He brought his hand to my face, brushing his thumb gently over my cheek. I cautiously glanced back up, and when my eyes met his, I shivered, goosebumps prickling all over my body.

"Still cold?" He whispered, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smirk.

"Yeah," I lied. I could feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. Reece pulled back slightly, looking at me curiously with a smug expression.

"Then why are you blushing?" Fuck.

"I'm not."

"Your cheeks are pink," he pressed, his smirk growing wider.

"That's what happens in the cold!" I said frantically. We were interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. The noise felt intrusive and foreign in the intimate atmosphere of the moment.

I pulled my cell from my pocket, and my eyes widened at the caller id. I hesitantly brought the phone to my ear while I looked at Reece nervously. He looked back at me with a mix of concern and confusion.

"Mum?" I muttered into the phone. Reece looked surprised, but gave me a reassuring nod.

"Hello, Ren. You alright?" My mother's voice was flat.

My lips parted, about to answer that I was fine, when I paused. My brows pulled together as my face twisted into anger. Was I alright? Is she serious? I glanced at Reece, my eyes hardening at his bruised face.

"No, mum. I'm not alright. Where the fuck have you been? And where's Dad, huh? Why didn't either of you pick up the phone all day? No text, no note, no nothing, Mum. Of course I'm not fucking okay!" I fired at her through the phone. Reece hopped off the countertop and stood next to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I looked up at him with heavy eyes, but felt myself calming slightly with his touch and supportive expression.

"I'm sorry, Ren," my mum sighed. "Your dad and I will be home on Monday. We'll explain everything then. Can you stay with Shayla for the weekend?"

"That's it, then?" I asked, incredulously. "You'll explain Monday? That's really all you're gonna say?" My mother was quiet, and Reece rubbed my shoulder slightly, soothing me. I leaned into his touch.

"Ren, please. It's been a long day," She sighed. Her words made my eyes roll.

"Oh, well noted," I scoffed. "It has been a long day."

"Don't start with me, Lauren. I'm your mother." Her tone was firm, but I couldn't believe her.

"Then try fucking acting like it." I hung up the phone and chucked it across the room. It smashed against the wall with a harsh crack before clattering to the floor. I felt Reece jump slightly at my action. I pressed my hand to my forehead, both pissed off at my mother and embarrassed that Reece saw me freak out like that. My eyes started to well up with tears.