Purple Phoenix

Chapter Eighteen

An eraser bounced off my head, making me turn around and narrow my eyes at Soraya. "What?" Today was Friday, so the police finally removed all the crime scene tape and reopened the school. Part of the school was under construction due to the damage caused, and extra counselors were asked for help because a large number of students had been traumatized by the event.

Soraya, however, seemed unfazed unlike her other silent classmates as she gave me one of her grins. "We have to finish the project in Physics with Olivia. Let's go to my house after school to do it."

I sighed. "Alright and-"

"Soraya, Evelyn. Would you like to indulge us on your conversation?" The History teacher, Mrs. Saltzman, said, tapping one of her feet on the floor.

"No, Mrs. Saltzman," Soraya responded sweetly, flashing her an innocent smile.

The teacher grunted and continued with her lecture, explaining one of the points on her presentation.

Fortunately, the bell rang, signaling it was the end of school. I slung my heavy backpack over my shoulder and headed out of the school, Soraya by my side gushing over who knows what.

"And guess what happened next?"

"What?" I asked, not particularly listening to what she was saying.

"He asked her to prom!"

I jolted. "I thought we didn't have prom Senior year?"

"We don't, Eve. I'm talking about Leo. He's a Junior."

"Oh right. Go on."

As she continued talking, she led me to a ridiculous bright green-colored car. It was a horrendous shade of lime green that pierced the eyes and forced you to look away. I recognized it as the one Axel used to drive me home. I spotted Axel in the driver's seat as well as a boy I didn't know next to him. In the back, Olivia was sitting on the right side. Soraya slid into the middle seat, and I sat down beside her.

"Isn't that an amazing story, Eve?"

"Incredibly amazing."

Soraya turned her attention away from me and greeted her brother. "Hey, Axel. Guess who's coming to us after school today?"

His eyes shifted over to me and then back to her. "I don't know. Who?"

I tensed when Soraya wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Eve!" She did not seem to know about boundaries, did she? She also needed to tone down her excitement.

"For the Physics project?" He started the car.

I nodded. "Yeah. About forces and Newton's Third Law."

He snorted. "Fun. And oh, I forgot to introduce you to Jax." He motioned to the boy beside him who had short, brown hair with the same brown colored eyes. He also had a sprinkle of freckles across his cheeks and nose. "Jax, this is Eve. Eve, this is Jax."

I gave an awkward wave. "Hi." He nodded hello. Not much a talker then.

"If you ever need something school-related, this is the guy you want to talk to." Axel patted Jax on the back. "He's basically a genius." Jax rolled his eyes at Axel.

"I'll keep that in mind." I rose a brow.

Axel said, "Now that we're done with introductions, Soraya, you owe me fifty bucks."

She crossed her arms. "I have no idea what you're talking."

"No idea, huh? So you did not come to me asking for money to buy new Bluetooth headphones?" His eyes connected with hers in the mirror.