Lottery Love Series- What We Never Were (book 2) **SLOW UPDATES**

Chapter 12

The door slammed, leaving Abby and I in an echo-y silence. I sat up with a grunt. My shoulders ached, along with my back and head. I could feel my lip bleeding, and my left hand was swollen, with multiple scratches. I looked at Abby as I stood up. She was no longer crying but her cheeks were red from where she wiped away previous tears. She wiped one stray tear before ducking her head and turning into the kitchen. I couldn't blame her. That was pretty immature of me. I followed her in, only for ice. I wouldn't bother her, if she didn't want to talk to me after that, I wouldn't make her. Closing the freezer door, I placed the ice pack on my jaw, only to be stopped by a pair of small fingers.

"You have to wrap it in something" She said, wrapping the cold bock in a thin towel, "or you'll give yourself ice burn" I didn't place it against my skin again, I just watched as she busied herself preparing items from the first aid kit. A few seconds later she turned back to me, taking my hand, shakily, and leading me to sit on a small stool, putting my head level with hers. "This might sting a little," she said, wipping some sort of moist pad against a cut above my eye brow. I squinted a little, balling my fists as it did burn the sensitive area. She pulled her hand away, and her gaze dropped down to meet my own. It was only now I realized how close her face was to my own. Her minty breath fanned my face, and it was as if I could taste her fancy lip balm now. Scenes flashed before me. How her lips felt against my own. The way she would stand on her toes to try and reach before just pulling me down to her level. When I realised her eyes had also fallen to my lips a sense of need washed over me. A need for her to press them against mine. If only she was touching them for that need of her own, rather than wiping the blood away.

In a way I couldn't help but find a symbolic reference. Perhaps this was all we ever were, and it had just become blantanly obvious now. I made a mess, she cleaned it up. I was upset, I relied on her. But there was a small voice, way back in my head reminding me, maybe she needs you too.

"Why are you helping me?" My voice was coarse, confused, and not at all as grateful as I had wished it to be. She dropped her hand, confused. "You should be mad, that was so immature, you should be yelling, or ignoring me or something, but not this. I don't deserve you helping me." I wispered. I had cried too many times infront of her. It was my turn to be strong.

"I don't know what to say. Clay- I- I remember everyting. If I was in your place I wouldn't have taken it, I would have been the one beating him up. But you were anything but immature, I respect you so much for that. Clay-" Her hands had now found their way to my shoulders, and her eyes seemed to look anywhere but at me. "All I can say is thank you." I tried to speak but couldn't find the words.

"I don't understand"

"Clay, you've put up with me all this time. Even when I forgot, you don't understand what it means that you let me figure it out on my own. I love you, Clay- and it doesn't even scare me anymore." I felt my own breathing hitch. It wasn't like the movies, or the perfect scene I pictured in my head, yes this beautiful girl had me day dreaming about I love you's, but it was so much different. She seemed so accepting of it, yet it was as if she excpected me to shoot her down, or not return the feelings. but how could I?

"Anymore?" I risked asking. Her eyes fluttered up to meet my own from behind her eye lashes. "As in, you've loved me before this?" She sighed this time, leaning her forehead against mine while she exlained.

"I realized it that same night. Seeing how much you worried when I hit my head made me realize-" She shook her head, but the smile on her lips gave her away. I couldn't help but match it as I placed my had on her cheek, searching her eyes.

"I've loved you even before that, princess" She smiled again at the use of my pet name. For a minute, I was so happy I nearly forgot my earlier intention. Wrapping one arm around her, I guided her lips to mine, finally having the reassurance I needed when she melted into me, returning the kiss, just like she used too.