Unheard

Chapter 7

Evangaline's POV

It was time for my first ever hockey training at Caveton High. I was experiencing a mixed emotion of nervousness and excitement. All the hockey players started going in to the ground wearing the sport jerseys.I felt so different and awkward. I didn't have my training uniform yet and I wouldn't be able to buy it until and unless Elijah ticks me in the team. But that would be decided after he sees if I am worthy enough. After all, there aren't a lot of students who want to join the team in mid-term

"Hi." Elijah greeted me, he stammered a bit. I smiled the usual smile. That happy one.

"Hey, Eli." 

"First day of training," he remarked, "are you ready?" He was in his training vest and tights. The blue and yellow vest complimented him well. His biceps were exposed and the veins running through his arms made him look really masculine. His boyish features with that baby lips and his manly body looked just like the description of a fictional character off a really good book. He seemed so, well unreal.

"As I'll ever be," I smirked and ran off to Nina. 

We started with the warm up stretching before we hit the track to work on our speed. Elijah lead the track, shouting motivational words occasionally. His thigh muscles moved almost rhythmically as he ran. Not that I was really into his muscles but it was just so obvious. 

Whilst we made rounds of the ground, both Nina and I eyed Elijah and Nina let out a "oohh and "aah" occasionally  when Eli flexed his muscles.I tried to control. Mauryn on the other hand was looking at her boyfriend across the field who was busy with his own football team. Jim followed close behind us, running parallel to Marcus, much to his displeasure. 

After the training, I headed out of the field with the girls. We were tired from the training so our walking pace was rather slow. I heard footsteps running towards us. We all turned around almost instantaneously as the sound got nearer and louder.  

"Hey girls, can you give Eva and I sometime? Alone?" Elijah asked Mauryn and Nina.

"Hmhmm," Nina winked. Nina and her winks. Seems like it was a habit. 

"Eva.." Mauryn smiled, "You've got a new nickname, aye?"

Both the girls giggled, and I rolled my eyes. I felt my cheeks go warm and also noticed Eli looking down, red. These girls embarrassed him. 

Elijah grabbed me by my arm and and starting walking away from the girls. His skin was so warm and felt somewhat safe. I don't know what was in him that triggered me from day one. I was not a girl who crushed on boys easily. Especially after what happened. I gulped. It was horrifying. The only guy I needed close to me was Alexander, my best friend. I was not even comfortable when Jim offered me his hugs. I did hug him back, reluctantly. And now here was Elijah, holding me by my arm. His warm skin against mine as his grip got stronger. This boy was trying to traverse my reluctant heart, although unintentionally. 

"Eva - Evangaline," he started. He let his eyes make contact to my own. He was red and sweating, and I am pretty sure I wasn't only because of the training. He was stressing. 

"Eva is good." I smiled. Seems like I got a new nickname, apart from "the new chick" and "dead blood."

"Eva, I noticed something sad yesterday."

"What?"

"You."

"What?"

"What's with what, you know what I mean." His tone got louder and more serious. He sounded like he was my father, over protective. 

I adjusted my weight and looked at him in wonder. Why is he behaving like this?

"OK, look. I noticed your eyes swollen yesterday. I know that look. You were sad and it disturbed me."

I was filled with dread. So the guy noticed. Did I let my guards down in front of him? Shit, I never wanted to look so vulnerable. 

 "Look, I am sorry if I hurt you by saying this," he continued.

I bit my lower lip, trying to think how to get away from this. Apart from my three new friends, and some couple of strangers, no one had seen me cry here at Caveton High. But now, Elijah was included in that list of "people who saw Evangaline cry and weak." Great. 

"Hey, just don't. Why do you even care?" I stepped back and started walking away . As I said earlier, I am moody. But this didn't only include my mood but my own damn personal life and feelings.         

"Eva, just stop!"

I halted and look back over my shoulder. I could feel new tears forming and my eyes stung.

"I understand, I know that pain." His voice cracked as he made eye contact with me. I almost felt like he genuinely understood. Almost. But he was not Alexander. He was Elijah. A new hot guy in this new school. He knew nothing about me. Nothing.

"No, you don't!" I spat my words in fury as I ran off. I couldn't afford to look back. I couldn't afford to break in front of a guy - a really cute one in that matter. 

My experience had taught me that perfect was wrong. Elijah was maybe as wrong as he was. 

***

I caught up with the girls. They were sitting under the rain tree, waiting for me. Bryan and Mauryn were holding hands as Mauryn rested her head on his masculine shoulder. Nina was busy in her mobile, Marcus was seated right beside Bryan and Jim was leaning on the tree. All of them had changed and looked refreshed. 

"Oh there you are!" Nina smiled as she looked up. I smiled and stationed myself beside Jim. 

Soon, we all were dispersed. I dropped Nina off to her house which was just two streets away. I drove to my own house and parked my car. I turned the door knob and stepped inside my house. I was at once enveloped with warmth and familiarity. Gage and mom welcomed me with huge smiles.

"Go get freshen up. I made some muffins," my mom hugged me and then kissed my forehead. 

I went to my room, freshened up and then set on my bed, thinking about the day's events. Thinking about Elijah. 

Buzz.

I looked at my illuminated phone. It was my bestfriend, Alexander. I answered it quickly.

"Hey babe, wassup?" Oh, how I missed him and his flirtatious ways of talking.

"Hey, darl. I am okay. Missing you."

"I sense trouble. What's wrong?" He knew me more than I knew myself.

I relayed the day's events to him and my growing infatuation for Elijah. Also telling him that he was already in a relationship. 

"I don't want you to get hurt again. Do you understand me?" He commanded. "However, I'd say just go with the flow. Does anyone there know? Apart from Gage and aunt Aline?"

Nash. I knew he meant Nash. 

"No." I swallowed hard as a tear escaped my eye. 

"OK, let's not think about it, alright? I love you, angel. Take care," his tone softened. I just wanted to hug Alex and just cry. Let it all out. 

"I love you, Alex. I miss you so much."

I heard on chucked on the other line, "Oh you do?" He replied sarcastically, "Well I love and miss you more." 

Alexander ended the call. Just this tiny conversation meant a lot. Why can I not trust the other boys as much as I trust Alexander? Was it just because of one guy? This definitely was a rhetorical question. No use answering. If one guy can make me lose my trust for the others, can't one boy help me to trust again? 

I groaned. I felt bad somehow. I was rude to Elijah, but he also should have known his limits. Hell, why was I worrying about him? I already had a lot on my plate. Nash and his memories.

Author's Note
The picture provided is Elijah :)