forever & ever + a day

z e r o | r e t u r n

| r e t u r n |

He's back. He's back... He was back.

Those words echoed through her mind as a mixture of emotions coursed through her system like a tidal wave crashing onto the shores. Rosey cheeks flushed pale as her breath hitched, stopping temporarily. Incoherent thoughts jumbled up her speech, completely annihilating her ability to speak. Her body screamed confusing instructions; her brain telling her to run whilst her heart told her to stay. Perplexed with what to do, she remained still, well, it wasn't like her body could even move if it wanted to. Her legs had long frozen in its tracks with her mouth dropped open similar to a deer caught in the headlights.

By the time the fact that 'he' was really back, officially registered into her, she had began to panic. Though she was aware of his return, her mind and heart proceeded to stay on different pages. The logical part of her, held a grudge to the damaged he caused her, while her ignorant heart pounded for her to go hug the gorgeous guy. They fought as if it was World War III, and in the end, the heart, with the aid of her hormones, remained victorious, like always.

For her, the heart would always be dominant over the brain. From that time she punched someone in grade school because he said she couldn't fight to now. She went to him knowing exactly the consequences...

His back was turned to her and he was rummaging through the locker he abandoned and left unopened for six months. Her mouth opened to call out his name and when that went down without any response, she reached out to tap his broad shoulders. Tousled brown haired flipped around in full alert, still as cautious of everyone as ever, probably even more so than before. His breath hitched when unfocused green eyes caught sight of the red hair girl standing before him. "S-Scar?" Uncertainty laced his slurred voice. "'S that you?"

She hesitated, as the same uncertainty washed over her. Was she prepared to face him again? Was she suppose to treat him like she used to? For a second she regretted listening to her guts. "It's been a while, Gabe." She was finally able to choke out whilst managing the biggest smile she could muster. Emerald eyes gazed up at him meeting his own matching ones, that seem to have gotten a lot colder and harder during the past months. "Welcome baaaa-" Her act of hospitality was interrupted when the guy pulled her into a bear hug. His arms wrapped around her waist, giving her unwanted flashbacks of back when they were even more intimate and the smell of cigarettes and beer overwhelmed her causing her body to instantly relax into the hug after inhaling the familiar scent. Her eyes fluttered close and she sighed in contentment, breathing in a deep breath trying to savor the comforting scent while it lasted. "I...I missed you..." She allowed myself to admit.

After a few seconds, which she wouldn't mind if it had lasted longer, he pulled away, though his gaze remained fixed on her. Forest green orbs so dark and filled with enigma, never failed to send goosebumps down her spine, they took her in as if she was a precious rare creature appearing once in a blue moon. "You've gone red..." His voice was quiet, he didn't need to explain for her to understand.

Hands self-consciously went up to touch her own red hair. "Yeah." She murmured with a sly smile. As much as she hated to admit, the smallest portion of her, was happy that he had noticed. After all, he was the reason why the girl had committed to such a massive change.

Gabriel brought his own hands up a strand of her hair and began twirling it around with his fingers. "Why though?" With his face flushed with adoration as he continued to scrutinze her velvet locks.

Fighting to keep the blood from rushing to her cheeks and the urge to snatch her hair away, she responded with a half-assed lie, "I-I wanted a change..." Usually lying had always been her forte, but in front of him, she could never hide behind the mask she often wore. She had once thought maybe that was why Gabriel could get to her and hurt her so easily.

"Red suits you" He noted and send her a wolfish grin just as the late bell rang. "You better get to class, Scar." He let go of the hair only to ruffle it like he use to. Somewhere in her mind doubted he was really going to his next class but she was too busy smiling at his compliment to care. "Nice seeing you again... Scarlett."

The way he said her full name was enough to get restart her pounding heart There was no denying it.

Gabriel Cods was back.