As Always (drafts; on hold)

CHAPTER ELEVEN ♥ Tryouts

CHAPTER ELEVEN ♥ Tryouts

It's hard, really, but we have to be like this for a while.

We have the same class, so it’s difficult to resist his touch... his kiss... or his company.

"Miss Luck, is it," say Ms. Steele, our Math teacher and Cindy's class advisor.

"Yeah," I say, startled out of my thoughts.

"Will you please answer this?" She smiles threateningly. Many of the students brand her an A-plus bitch. I, on the other hand, think she’s actually nice.

I stand from my seat and provide her with the correct Trigonometric equation. I need not brag about my Math skills; I love the subject with all my heart. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a ‘Mathlete’. It’s just that I’ve learned countless life lessons like sadness deductions and happiness additions.

In Math, everyone— and everything— equated to something. We were all equal.  If both sides of the equation didn’t match, then you’re probably doing something wrong. More importantly, with every math problem exists a solution. We just have to find the right formula.

I stride to the whiteboard, take hold of the marker, and solve the equation in less than a minute. I, then, glance at Jillian for a split second while explaining my work.

The bell rings. I’m supposed to meet up Cindy. Before I leave the room, I approach Jillian slinging body bag around him. "Hey. I love you."

"I thought we were incognito," he says with a hint of mischief, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, come on. Just say you love me, too!" I whisper to him.

He chuckles. "I love you, too."

"Better." My smile broadens as I waved my hand casually before leaving the classroom.

Cindy had already been waiting for me outside. "Hey," she greets.

"Hey," I reply. As I opened my mouth to talk, she cut me off.

"Jillian!" Cindy looks past me.

I turn.

"Oh, hi, Cindy," he smiles at her, "and Stefannie."

"You've been gone so long," Cindy says. "I mean, thank goodness, you're back."

"Thank you. Yeah, it’s been quite some while. I miss this school!"

"Only this school," Cindy asks.

"Of course, you all," he exclaims, laughing.

I avoid looking at him; I might end up doing something wrong.

"I got to go. See you!" He raises his hand to wave at us, and then starts walking to Xander’s direction.  So, they are still hanging out together.

"Oh... My...Gosh," Cindy squealed in delight. We are halfway done with lunch. "I can't believe that he’s really here! After six— was it seven?—no, eight years!" She chews her salad and continues, "I must say, he is totally hot! His lips...God! What do you think?"

I feign a smile, fighting the nausea trying to overcome me. "Yeah." I play with the thinly-sliced beef portion on my plate using a fork. "I hate this. I don't want to eat." Steak is my favourite food, but I lose my appetite.

She looks at me with disbelief. "But curry steak is your favourite," she says concerned. "Are you okay? You haven’t been acting right for the past few days."

"I'm fine." I try my best to stop the nausea— or the feeling of guilt eating me up. "It is just a little headache, probably from staying up late."  I force another fake smile.