Certifiable

Chapter 5

-- picture on the side is of Connor --

CHAPTER 5

The whole day, even while out in the city, I've been feeling apprehensive of seeing Connor again. Unsure of how he will act. Unsure of how I'm supposed to act.

Now, as I'm seeing Connor in front of me for the first time in six weeks, I realise the feeling is so much more than that. Forget butterflies. My stomach is a churning volcano of sizzling lava.

Because, see, Connor's changed. He's taller, tanner, handsomer, and, well, just generally more buff compared to the last time I set eyes on him.

He also has two girls hanging off his muscled biceps.

Two perky, bright, well-toned girls, both laughing in that carefully styled not-too-timid, not-too-confident way of theirs.

I'm not entirely unprepared for this sight. But what gets me is that I know I don't stand a chance against any of these willing girls. I'm messed up, sullen and moody. Exactly what they aren't. I know that.

But there is a difference in knowing something in theory and seeing it stripped bare and laid out so plainly in front of you. It hurts. So much that I can't describe it.

The three of them stare openly at me as I come barreling around the corner like a frenzied cowgirl except without her horse. Connor is the first to recover. When he locks eyes with me, my breath catches in my throat. His blue-green orbs are as captivating as they were the first time I saw them, but they don't betray a single hint of guilt or sheepishness. I feel like a Viking warrior, I'm so mad, but then his face breaks into a grin, and he winks.

It's a typical guy move, and I shouldn't fall for it.

I shouldn't, but I almost do. I'm almost ready to forgive him for all the added grief of the last month that is thanks to him.

He steps forward, shaking the girls off his arm. His fingers graze mine as he says, "My sweet Brie. It's been too long."

One of the girls - dark hair with a silver nose stud - emits a low animal growling sound, and I snap back to reality. The evidence is in front of me. He had clearly been flirting with these girls right up until the moment I basically slammed into them. I don't know what he's playing at, but I will beat him at his own game.

"Oh yeah?" I challenge, stepping back. Connor's hand drops to his side as he looks at me with confusion etched in his face. I don't think any one has ever denied him before. Certainly not his own girlfriend.

"And whose fault is that? Who didn't bother contacting me all holidays?"

The two girls exchange satisfied smirks. I can guess what they're thinking: they're about to witness a massive fallout.

Unfortunately, they're most likely correct.

"Brie, you know I was on that cruise the whole time," Connor pleads. "The reception was fucked up. I couldn't get a signal."

Ha. He's not getting off that easily.

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow. "And I suppose it sucked when you got back, too? I mean, why else wouldn't you call me to let me know you were home?"

Connor winces. "We just got back yesterday. I was exhausted and just wanted some quiet."

"Yeah, yeah," I wave away his excuses. Hurt feelings aside, I'm actually kind of enjoying watching him suffer. After all, it's nothing more than what he put me through.

"Couldn't you even swing by my homeroom to say hi when you got to school this morning?"

So help me, he actually has the gall to look offended.