Enemies With Benefits

(21) Tick, Tock

Tick, Tock . . .

"What are you going to do when you get in there?"

I rounded the corner, Shay still close on my heels as I led the way to the class. I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets and looked towards the floor, letting out a sigh. "I'm not going to do anything," I told her, giving a one shouldered shrug. I pulled my tote bag that was slipping down back up on my shoulder.

"You're not even gonna try and talk to him," she questioned, disbelief hinting in her voice.

"What for," I spat back, unable to control the venom that leaked out. I rolled my eyes. "It's not like I care anymore." I took a deep breath, trying to control my short temper.

She fell silent, not responding to what I said, and continued to follow behind me.

Annoyance pulsed through me when I spotted the class a few doors down from where we were, causing me to purposely slow my pace.

I hated the fact that I had to see his stupid face, knowing what I found out less than 15 minutes ago. I had no time whatsoever to cope, and that just means that I can't restrain myself from doing something that I'll regret.

We made our way further and further down the hall and suddenly a wave of nervousness swept through me. My steps halted for a moment, causing Shay to accidentally kick the back of my heels.

Before I could blink we were standing outside the class and I could faintly hear voices chatting from inside. My hand hesitated over the handle, shaking slightly.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Chloe, are you okay," Shay's voice chimed in from beside me. She stared at me with uncertainty. "You seem... I don't know..." she trailed, her eyes scanning my expression.

I waved a dismissive hand in front of me, choosing not to voice anything. Instead, I motioned with my hands towards the door, giving a silent gesture for her to go in first.

She shrugged, visibly confused about my behavior, and opened the door to the class. She walked in, me trailing behind her.

Everyone in the class seemed to have stopped for a brief moment and turned to see who had walked in half an hour late. After seeing who it was, they all carried on with what they were doing. Everyone except, of course, one particular person.

My gaze now falling to the floor, I continued to follow behind Shay as she led the way to our seats. I felt the heat of him watching me the entire time and I fought hard to resist the urge to just look over there.

God, why am I acting like this? Growing angry with myself for seeming like a coward, I picked my head up, a determined expression now on my face.

I dropped my bag beside the desk and flopped down in the chair. I rested my elbow on the table and propped my chin in my hand, staring up at the clock on the wall. Damn, these fifteen minutes were going to drag by.

"Chloe," Shay whispered from next to me, sounding a bit frantic.

I didn't turn to look at her, my gaze staying locked on the clock. "Hmmm?"

"Don't freak out," she said, her voice getting quieter with each word. "But Gabe is-"

A hand was placed gently on my shoulder. Already knowing who it was, I didn't acknowledge him and shrugged out of his grasp. I continued my staring contest with the clock, silently praying that he would just walk away.

Of course, that wasn't happening.

I heard him heave a sigh, and I could only imagine him running his fingers through his hair in frustration. He took a chair from a nearby desk and pulled it up in front of mine, turning it backwards and straddling it.