Notice

Chapter 12

As Colby puts away his chap stick in his front pocket my eyes grow wide. He smiles slightly and then places his finger in front of his lips.   All of this makes perfect sense. He was the only one who knew that I was hiding there. It explains the moodiness when he first came to see me in the hospital. It explains the fighting with Channing.

I frown and then pretend to give up. I turn on my heels and march out of the gym.

"Elina wait up!" The boys yell behind me. I march straight to Colby's car and I wait for him to unlock the door.

He does so and I get in the car and slam the seatbelt into place. The others pile in, Colby last. I turn my head and look out the window, shivering.

"Here." Colby passes me his jacket but I push it away...

I would take it, but I need to pretend like I am upset with them.

Colby drives over to Elliot's house first.

"Bye Elina!" He blows me a kiss and I shoot him a shy smile as much as it hurts to do so.

Next we drop off Owen at his penthouse apartment, and he doesn't say goodbye or anything. He steps out and slams the door behind him.

Lastly, we pull into Channing's long driveway, in front of his red bricked house.

Christmas is long gone, as we're February but the Naro's still have their Christmas tree up, and as I predicted it looks beautiful all light up.

"Bye Lina. I'll see you Sunday. He leans between the two seats and kisses my cheek then hops out and runs inside.

I havent spoken to Colby once.

Finally we get to my house and I don't unbuckle my seat belt or turn my head from the window. I wait for him to talk.

"Elina ?" Then I turn around and face him. The light in the car is turned on and I can see the worry woven in his forehead.

"Yes ?" My arms are crossed as I'm still shivering. I pull Colby's jacket form the backseat and slip it on, all while he watches me.

"Are you mad at me ?" He asks. I look into his eyes, his blue eyes that don't compare to Channing's but are still beautiful and mesmerizing.

"No, Colby. No I'm not. I'm just upset. Why didn't you tell me ?" I'm starting to get really upset with all the secret kisses.

He looks at me and thinks.

"I just. I was afraid that you would reject me." He looks down to his lap and that's when I notice that his seatbelt is unbuckled. I unbuckle mine and turn completely towards him.

"Why were you afraid that I would reject you ?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.

"Because it's obvious that you like Channing and that he likes you." There's a long quiet pause as we just stare at each other.

"The worst part is, I liked you way before he did. I liked you the moment I saw walk up those stairs. Getting to know you just made everything worse. I really like you Elina." My heart is pounding in my chest. My palms are sweating and I can feel my face reddening.

"I told Channing too. I told him I liked you, and yet he still went for you. He still got you."  He looks so desperate and sad that I move closer to him, just wanting to hug him tightly.

"Elina. You know at the dance I never got to finish my sentence." My hands reach for his and I intertwine my fingers with his.

He looks down to my hands and then stares back up to me. His eyes shift from one of my eyes to the next and then they flicker down to my lips.