Highschool Sweethearts ~BWS~

Chapter 26 - Distant

It's a Wednesday morning; art. I finish the second to last portrait by adding different flecks of colour into Tris' hair, emphasising the varying shades of blond. 

The past two days had been strange. Brad had been distant with me, it was odd. I thought that after what had happened we'd have gotten on even more, instead, it's as if we've taken a step back. Monday in geography he didn't talk much, I excused it as tiredness, but even in the afternoon and on Tuesday he seemed off.

I sigh and begin to wash my brushes, packing up for Lunch.  I slowly make my way over to the canteen on my own, as Lucy isn't in today. I reach the table and find only Connor there. 

He perks his head up when he sees me and asks, "You alright?"

I slump into the chair opposite him. "Yeah, I'm just feeling a bit off," I respond.

He nods and continues to eat his food. 

Soon after the others then arrive, situating themselves in the spare seats. They immediately burst into conversations, splitting into pairs. As our group is reduced to five, I sit quietly picking at my food. 

Maybe I'm sick, I could be coming down with something. Possibly a cold from that walk on Sunday, when... 

My head gets stuck in an endless cycle. I keep questioning mine and the group's actions with it all leading back to Brad and I on Sunday. 

***

I refrain from talking for the most of Lunch and French. James tries to make conversation but I drop them. When he voices his concern over my withdrawnness I excuse them, faining illness.

Once the language subject ends I trudge over to P.E. I arrive at the gym and set about looking for Mr Marchant. Maybe I can persuade him to let me sit out. 

Just before I can talk to him someone grabs my arm. I spin around, finding Brad holding my forearm.

"Hey, we're playing badminton, do you want to be my partner?" He asks.

"Huh?" I respond, unaware of his question.

"Go get changed quick," He adds, pushing me towards the changing rooms. He shoves me through the doors and I stand bewildered. 

Guess I'm doing P.E then. I hurriedly switch into my kit, not wanting to miss the start of the lesson. 

I rush back out into the gym and notice the nets have been set up. I make my way over to the racket bag and pick one out. Brad soon appears at my side.

"So we're doing doubles and we're playing against Tris and Jacob."

Jacob? Wasn't he the one that knocked into me when we played basketball. I shrug it off and we begin our match. 

It's all for fun, we don't take it seriously, and I soon find myself lightening up. After we're five minutes in Mr Marchant decides to put some music on. I bop along to the beat, trying to time my hits with the tune. Brad opts for a more animated method; belting out the lyrics whilst he flails the racket about.

"Brad!" I giggle. "You're not doing it properly. We're going to lose, Jacob is so much better than us!" 

"Hey!" Tris exclaims. "I'm playing against you too." I chuckle at him. 

Brad turns to me, grinning at my new-found enthusiasm."Oh, so it's about winning now, little miss cheery?"

I fervently nod, still smiling like an idiot. 

"If we win will you stop being in a bad mood?"

I tilt my head to the side, comically exaggerating my actions. Still, I was puzzled. Me in a bad mood, he was the one who was being all weird and distant the last few days. I nod my head again anyway and he smiles back.

We ended up winning the match that lesson.

~AN: Hello, here's another chapter. Sorry it's a bit shorter but the next few should be fun. Thanks for reading, voting and commenting x ~