Wicked Games (book one)

27

song for chapter:
I'm with you - vance joy
| i know that I want you, but is it too soon |
(highly recommend + put on repeat)

jaylee's pov
thursday

my hand grabbed onto the the cold metal door handle, swinging it open. warm air hit my body from the inside of the building as I walked inside.

the palms of my hands grabbed onto both sides of my head, adjusting the maroon knitted beanie that was covering my long hair.

I walked through the dull hallway, kids passing me left and right, not even caring to try and avoid accidentally hitting shoulders with me.

I scoffed to myself letting my eyes roll out of annoyance as I forcefully pushed my way through a majority of the people.

feeling relieved after getting through the pile of people, my eyes caught onto ethan at his locker.

both him and another guy were having a conversation near the lockers. ethan held his folders in one of his hands as the opposite shoulder was leaned up against the locker.

my heart rate began to pick up pace, not knowing what I would say to him right now. I know a lot more about him now, a lot more than he thinks I do.

I continued to walk as my eyes glanced at him, my teeth gently biting onto the inside of my cheek.

as he was talking, his eyes turned to me seeming to catch him off guard. I slowed down my walk, being able to tell that he was going to approach me.

his eyes stayed on me as he said something to the guy he was standing with, hitting his shoulder as he exited the conversation.

my eyes watched the other guy walk away as I inhaled a deep breath, taking a few steps to walk towards ethan-him meeting me the rest of the way.

"hey." his voice stayed monotone as he stopped in front of me, holding onto the straps of his backpack.

I exhaled a deep breath as I hardly smiled at him, not having the energy to show my teeth. "hey."

his hands released from holding onto his backpack, his eyes looking down to my hand. "is it getting any better?" his voice stayed soft.

his hand gently grabbed onto my wrapped hand, holding it as if it were a delicate piece of glass.

my eyes looked down to our hands, the corner of my mouth weakly lifted for a couple of seconds as I admired his efforts in showing empathy.

"yeah." I nodded my head slightly as I looked back up to him. "I'm okay."

he looked back up to me, his hand still holding onto mine. his jaw shifted sideways as he studied my face. "no you're not." his thumb slowly started to rub up and down against the wrap on my hand.

my opposite hand pushed a strand of hair out of my face, breaking eye contact with him as I looked down the halls. "just stressed." I admit to him.

"do you wanna talk about it?" his voice was gentle as he lightly started to swing our hands back and forth loosely.

i looked down to our hands, almost feeling exhausted. not from only him, but everyone...everything.