Bad Boys and Puppies

Chapter two

♥

"Evie, it's so great to see you again." He said, rushing forward and taking me into one of his embraces. If this was happening seven months ago, I would have melted into him. But things had changed and I wasn't the same person as I was then.

"Hey, Mike." I mumbled, my arms kept at my sides. He didn't seem to notice and he kissed my temple. I swallowed hard and stepped out of his hug.

An emotion flashed across his face but it was soon gone, and instead he gave me a small smile. "How are you?" He asked, taking a step back. Kiera watched him wearily, probably silently sending him a message to just leave me alone.

"Fine, thanks." I mumbled, wrapping my arms around myself. Seeing him again just made everything seem so real. He really is gone, I thought to myself, and suddenly I had the urge to vomit again. Kiera must have seen my paled face because she grabbed my arm and bid Mike goodbye.

As we turned the corner to the girls' bathroom, I peeked over my shoulder and saw Mike still standing there, his face showing all emotion. He looked hurt and beaten, but also extremely exhausted. I felt bad for him, I realised. I wasn't the only one who was struggling with what had happened.

Kiera threw open the bathroom door and kicked out the few freshmen who were in there. One of them gave her a dirty look as she left, and Kiera returned one twice as lethal. Turning on the tap, Kiera grabbed some paper towel and dampened it. "It's no cloth," She sighed, "but it's the best I can do." She passed the wet clump of paper towel to me and I pressed it to my forehead. I hadn't realised how warm my face was until now.

"Thanks," I gave her a smile and leaned the back of my head against the bathroom wall. I squeezed the wet paper and sighed as cold water trickled down my face. I closed my eyes and groaned. "I hate that I'm like this, Kiera." I mumbled.

She was silent for a moment before she spoke. Her voice came out shaky. "He wouldn't want you to be like this, Evie." My chest tightened at her words, because I knew she was right. He would want me to be strong, he would want the old Evie back. The real Evie. More water trickled down my cheeks, but this time not as a result of the paper towel. I was crying.

"I just miss him so much." I sobbed, sliding down the wall until I reached the bottom. I hugged my knees to my chest. "All I think about when I walk down these stupid, fucking halls is him, Kiera." I didn't bother to wipe the tears away, they fell faster than I could wipe them.

"I know," She cooed, kneeling in front of me. "But Evie, you're going to see him everywhere. You'll see him on the football field, in class, at home, anywhere you go, you'll see something that reminds you of him. But as time goes on, it'll get easier. And instead of his memory hurting you, it'll fill you with such happiness." She tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. "I promise."

"It's been seven months and I'm still not over it." I whispered, looking Kiera in the eye. She's crying too, I noticed. "All the therapy, all the medications." I felt a single tear fall from my chin and land on my hand. "When will it stop?" My voice cracked and this time I wiped away the tears.