The New Girl

The new girl chapter 25

Knock knock.

Ah, he's here! I zoomed straight for the door but Aunt Elda was a tad faster than me. Shit. Her face filled with surprise as she saw who it was at the door.

"Oh! You are the guy who came with Seline the last time!" She chirped. "How are your wounds?"

"Ah, yes, they are better much now, thank you." At least he was polite.

"Are you looking for Seline?"

"Yes, is she in?"

"Yes I'm in." I cut in, coming up from behind Aunt Elda. "Let's talk outside." I said hastily as I grabbed his sleeve, urging him to follow me.

Aunt Elda slapped my hand away immediately. I was taken aback as I looked at her. Why did she do that? "Aunt Elda-"

"Manners, Seline!" Aunt Elda scolded. "He's already come all the way here, it's only nice to invite him inside! This boy saved you the last time too! " She gestured for me to move aside as she pulled him inside. I sighed inwardly. I had thought he was decent too, but Aunt Elda didn't know what else happened. Not that she needed to know. She'd only be more worried.

"Come, child. Make yourself at home. I'll make some tea." Aunt Elda shot me a last warning look before she headed to the back of the kitchen.

I sighed and waited till she was out of hearing before speaking in a low voice, "You didn't even bother asking before you came over."

Skye stood up from the cardboard box he was sitting on, "Sorry about that. I just didn't know where else we could talk without people talking."

"Of course you wouldn't want to be seen with me." I spat. What the hell was wrong with me? I couldn't have been more bitter.

Skye let out a sigh. "I'm sorry for not speaking up, I have no excuse for that. But that's not what I meant. You know what things the others may do if they see us together." I knew. Of course I did. But I was angry, very angry. I didn't understand why he didn't defend nor help me. I thought he was different.

"Don't pretend to be concerned now. You weren't, then." I snarled.

Skye sighed again with a defeated look. "Yes, you're right. I was being a wuss. I'm sorry."

There was a brief period of silence as we both looked at everything else in the small living room besides each other. He sounded almost sincere. Almost. But of course a mere apology wasn't going to cut it or make me forgive him. For now though, I needed to focus on what was important. I looked towards the kitchen, there was still no sign of Aunt Elda coming back yet.

"Why did you come to find me?"

I felt Skye's gaze on my back as he turned to look at me. "Did you hear us in that stairwell?" He asked after a short pause.

I felt a chill run down my spine. I was right. It was Dylan and him at the stairwell. I nodded, still not facing him.

"How much did you hear?"

"Almost everything." At least I think I heard most of what was pertinent. I turned back to face those sky-blue eyes. "I'm sure you didn't just come over to drink tea."

And that was the cue for Aunt Elda to emerge from the kitchen holding a tray filled with a teapot, and two cups. "Tea is here!" She placed the tray on the cardboard box table and started pouring tea into the cups. "We may not have much, but I do grow my own tea leaves!" She placed one cup in front of Skye, and the other in front of me.

"Thank you." Skye thanked Aunt Elda with a smile. Something I hadn't seen in awhile. Did this guy even smile?

"Now enjoy your little catch up session! Seline doesn't usually have friends come over nnnghh-" I cupped Aunt Elda's mouth quickly with my hand and used my other arm to nudge her back to her room, embarrassed. Did she have to tell him that?? "Okay okay! I'll leave you guys alone! I'll be resting in my room, call me if you need me." Aunt Elda finally relented once she broke free from my death grip, chuckling as she retreated into her room.

I heaved a sigh of relief as I strode back to the living room. Skye was still seated, looking at the floor, but... why did it look like he was trying to stifle his laugh?

"Are you laughing?"

Skye cleared his throat and switched back to his poker face as soon as he heard me. "No, no."

I glowered at him.

"Okay, fine. I was, but it was cos it was heartwarming." He gave me a small smile. It felt genuine. Lup dup. Lup dup. Wait, why was my heart racing?

"Huh." I crossed my arms and looked away, face still red from embarrassment. Why was I so bothered about what he thought anyway? I took a deep breath to try to calm my pounding heart. Why wasn't it working? Was I that embarrassed? I hurriedly reached for my cup, forgetting it was filled with boiling hot tea.

"Ouch!" I let go of the cup as I winced in pain, the burn mark on my fingers getting redder by the minute.

"Hey, be careful!" Skye exclaimed as he quickly stood up and headed for the shelf on his left. He took the first aid box and came over to me.

"How did you know it was there?"

"Your Aunt Elda did get it for me the previous time. Now, shut up and don't move, unless you want it to hurt more."

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