Touch & Go

11. Bloodstream

This is dedicated to TahliePurvis because her stories make my heart beat out of control. Especially her new one; Bad Boy Bakers. <3

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"I saw scars upon a brokenhearted lover."

- Ed Sheeran ft. Rudimental, Bloodstream.

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July 30th, 2016

AFRAID. Angry. Anxious. Apprehensive.

I cursed the shortness of my breath and sprinted towards the district library. I had had a heated argument this morning with Adam while working out, and the only thing on my mind was Iris. Adam was hell bent on telling her I was no better than he was.

These past months had set us in a pattern. She would arrive at the college building early morning, possibly with a fruit, then wait for me while I dressed myself. We would walk through the grounds to the laboratories where I would drop her in the west wing with a peck and a promise to her during lunch. She would come over to the east wing during lunch and we would usually go to the terrace; have a little alone time. We would talk about the future and we would talk about our past. We truly loved each other and we realised this was what we were looking for.

As I stood feet away from the stairs, I tensed when I saw Adam enter the building with a purposeful stride. I followed swiftly. Adam headed for Iris who was busy flipping through books frantically, blowing away at the strands that had fallen out of her messy bun. I stood behind the shelf, prepared to listen to what he had to say. I knew jumping head first into this nasty conversation would only prove me guilty.

"Iris! Hey! Listen, there's-"

"Adam," she looked up, surprised, "now is not the time. I'm busy." She turned her back, prepared to walk away.

"Iris, it's important!"

"Shh! It's a library!" she hushed him and pointed towards the isolated corner in the back.

"It's about Theodore." That caught her attention but she tried to hide it.

"Then I'd rather hear it from him."

"He would never tell you."

"I trust him."

"Like you trusted me?"

She looked at him incredulously. Saying nothing, her eyes latched onto his, daring him to speak on.

"He's not what you think he is."

"Not everyone is like you were to me." She looked at him squarely, unafraid.

"Iris, I'm serious. He's done something worse than I have."

"Adam, please don't interfere in our relationship. Leave it to us to sort our lives out."

"He knocked her up. Kate Everton." He held her arm, holding her close enough. She raised her eyebrows, not knowing what to say.

"Leave, Adam." Her eyes flashed with uncertainty. She didn't know what to do with what she'd just been told.

"Even got to abort the child, that bastard. After three whole months. He had the guts to walk up to her and refuse to take any responsibilities. Still think of him as the ideal lad?"

Her eyes widened. A book fell from my hands seeing how hurt she'd looked and the noise brought their attention to me. My shoulders slumped in defeat.