Pushing through the double doors of Jenson High felt like breaking down the wall of my own inner struggle. I take a deep breath in, forcing myself to ignore the stares as I tread carefully down the hall. Ever since Ethan publicly 'dumped' me, his popularity sky rocketed. You know how they say every girl loves an asshole? Well, they also seem to love a hurt bad boy that breaks up with his fake girlfriend because she lied to him. And I happen to be in the crossfire, because girls would whisper and glare, wondering how I could hurt a guy like Ethan.
"Hey Maya!" I'm greeted by Riley, who's smile is as bright as ever, while she stands beside my locker, clutching her books to her chest like a school girl.
"Hey Riles, how are you?" My fingers fidget with the locker combination as Riley opens her mouth, hesitating with her answer. Just as I swing open the door to the metal compartment, she plasters on a closed lip smile, chocolate eyes focused directly on me as if to avoid looking guilty. I furrow my eyebrows together, observing her for a moment, before I look away, searching for my textbooks.
"I'm great! So, the usual. We miss you at lunch. It's weird because we were such a tight knit group before and then you and Jess joined and it was even better and.." Riley trails off, noting my amused expression and a sheepish smile graces her lips at the realization she's chattering away again. I grasp the heavy textbooks in my hands, struggling to keep hold of them as I shut my locker with my elbow.
"It's okay, Riles. I miss you guys too, but who knows? Maybe that'll change today." I offer, moving my mess of curled hair behind my shoulder and adjusting the strap of my bag. The bell sounds off interrupting any further conversation we could've had with students piling into every space of the hallway attempting to get to their class.
"See you at lunch!" Riley beams after I've waved her off and enveloped myself into the crowd, disappearing among the student body.
***
Groaning in frustration, I slam my laptop shut, pushing it away from me on the wooden desk. There's a few months left till graduation and I had no idea what to do for the final edition of the paper under my reign as editor. In the fleeting moments where I wasn't thinking about Ethan, I would rack my brain for something, anything to include but nothing came to mind.
Not only have I ruined any chances of Ethan and I. I've ruined any chance of leaving a writing legacy behind in Jensen High.
I let out a defeated sigh, eyes drifting to the clock to see that I'd only missed the first few minutes of lunch.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
It was now or never. Pushing myself up from the chair, I sling my bag over my shoulder and stuff the various notes, along with laptop inside. I shut my eyes briefly, trying to slow the rapid nervous beats of my heart, before I walk out of the door, slamming right into someone. Is this a sign, universe?
I flutter my eyes open, peeking through my mascara coated eyelashes to see none other than Theo. His muscular arms covered by a navy blue bomber jacket are wrapped around me in an attempt to steady me and I'm finding it hard to fight off the blush at the lack of distance between us.
"We keep meeting like this." Theo smirks, squinting down at me through his long lashes. What is it with boys and long eyelashes?
"Uhm..." I mumble dumbly, eyes too entranced by his face to look anywhere else. A chuckle escapes his lips, causing his chest to vibrate against me and at this point, I swear I'm as red as my hair. His arms slowly drop from my body much to my disappointment and he steps away from me, allowing me to catch a glimpse of him fully. Underneath his jacket is a plain white t shirt paired with jeans and sneakers. His hair is spiked up, leaning towards the left, while his defined jaw is sporting a light scruff.
"Nice to see you again too, Maya." Okay, he knows he's hot. The way he squints, eyes crinkling, while a faint but smug smile spreads across his lips. I scowl, squinting back at him, breaking the trance that his attractiveness has me in.
"Sure, yeah. So what're you doing here?" My arms move to fold against my chest, trying to give off a confident vibe, but it seems more like a self-conscious move. It wasn't like I looked bad, but it wasn't anything compared to my Eva inspired outfit. Sneaking a glance down at my knee ripped skinny black jeans, converse, white v neck t- shirt that was tucked in at the front and denim jacket, I'm momentarily embarrassed that we're almost matching.
"My sister needs her charger. I'm home for a few days because some classes got cancelled." He shrugs as if it's no big deal and I'm tempted to ask what he's studying, but then I remember that my meeting him was a set up, so I bite my tongue, holding the question back.
"Well I'm heading to the lunch room now, so I can give it to her." At my offer, he quirks up at eyebrow in amusement, bottom lip finding it's place between his teeth. Stop staring, Maya.
"Sure, that'd be great. Thanks little red." I roll my eyes at the nickname, taking the charger from him once he pulls it out of his pocket.
"I'm not that much younger than you so you can take out the 'little' part."
"You sure that wasn't a sneaky way of letting me know you're not too young for me?"
Woah. Woah.
Despite my initial annoyance, I can feel my cheeks growing hot and I avert my gaze down the empty hall, trying to avoid his piercing eyes. "I'm gonna go give this to Mia. And the answer to that question is no, okay? Bye." I turn on my heel, willing myself not to look back as my legs take me to the lunch room.
"Your brother is infuriating." I bite out, dropping the charger in front of Mia, ignoring the surprised looks from the others at the table.
"But hot right?" Jess and Riley inquire in unison, before turning to each other, mouths forming an 'o' at their similar thinking. I blink, silently cursing myself at my dramatic entrance, but at the same time happy that it finally got me here without any major anxiety. Mia pats the free seat beside her and I hesitantly sit down, avoiding Ethan's gaze that is now focused completely on me, despite Rachel sitting at his side.
"Mia, you should totally let him come to your 18th!" Riley exclaims, leaning forward on the table to look at Mia, hair falling over her shoulder in the process.
"If I tell him Maya will be there, that should do it." Mia shrugs and in left staring at her, mouth slightly parted at her blatantness. I didn't want Ethan thinking I had something going on with her brother. Then again maybe I planted that idea myself with my entrance.
"It's gonna be this weekend by the way. I was hoping you would wanna do it with me since yours is like a week or so into February." Mia suggests, picking up her sandwich and taking a bite out of the corner. I take this time to glance around the table at everyone's expectant expressions, before settling on Ethan who's attention is now focused on Rachel. He somehow senses my eyes on him and once again blue meets green. We hold it for what seems like forever, each with blank expressions and I find myself, nodding towards him,
"Sure, why not?"
***
What do you think of Theo? Will he and Maya get together? Will Ethan ever talk to Maya again?
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Head Over Leather #Wattys2017
Teen Fiction|Highest ranking: #420 Teen Fiction| ''Ethan Andrews is every girl's dream. He's heartache wrapped in leather and cheap cologne, topped off with a quick tongue and an aura of mystery. But there's not much more to the cliche bad boy. In the wise word...
