elements.

six

They say that it's harmful if you're possessive. It will lead to paranoia, apparently. Looks like I might end up that way. Refusal to give Luke Gwen's number was a huge sign of possessiveness. Well, what can anyone do about it?

All I know is that karma will come bite me in the ass later on and I will end up heartbroken.

Whatever.

Luke drove me back, still with helmets, him still sad. As we walked back to the patch of grass that was right under my window, I said, "Thank you, Luke. For tonight."

"No problem, Trinity," he smiles, but it's not the same.

I ought to give him Gwen's number.

Nah.

He pulls me into a hug, burying his face in my hair and murmurs, "Thank you for coming out tonight." I hug him back and after a few seconds, we let go.

"Well, I should go," he says, putting his hands in his pockets. "See ya later, Trinity."

"Trin," I say as he begins to walk away. He turns, one eyebrow raised.

Wow. His eyebrows are so... Shut up, Trin.

"You can call me Trin," I say with a smile that he returns. A genuine smile. One that I know I will always want to see.

He waves, and I watch him walk to bike and drive off. I begin climbing up the uneven bricks and into my room.

-

Everything was the same the next day. It was as if last night's adventure took place in another time zone, another place, another universe.

Taking my usual seat in class, I flipped open my book and started reading. Yet, I couldn't focus on the words, but on Luke's voice last night. I took out my phone and scrolled through my contacts till I found Gwen's number.

I need to give her number to Luke. But is that what she wants? Or am I just using her as an excuse?

"Trin!" I looked up, locking my phone.

Marlene.

"Oh, hey," she takes the seat on my right-Luke's seat. I stiffened slightly, but she didn't notice.

"Funny seeing you here so early!" she prattles on as I smile and nod at the right moments.

"I can't believe that is really permanent," she said, pointing to my symbol. "Like, you're gonna have to, like, live with that forever."

I nod demurely, not exactly caring about her remarks. The bell rang and students started filling into the room. I suddenly sat up and my eyes met Luke's.

He broke it and sat with his friends at the other side of the room. I looked down, disappointed, but not surprised. I'm destruction. And I destroyed him.

"Hey Trin," I glanced up and saw Luke hovering over me.

"Hi," I mumbled, not exactly sure why he was here.

"Mind if I sit here?" he gestured to the seat on my left. I nodded, knowing that Marlene's eyes were probably as wide as saucers. Luke smiled as he sat down, crossing his arms and resting his head on them while still looking at me and smiling.

"Tired?" I asked, longing to reach out to stroke his hair.

"You can touch me if you want, class hasn't started yet," he mumbled, his pale blue eyes twinkling.

I leaned closer to him and started pushing his hair back. He sighed and closed his eyes, relaxing.

"You shouldn't have came out last night," I muttered.

"I felt like it," he replies, eyes still closed.

"Well, this is your punishment," I say, stroking his soft, silky hair. He chuckles and sighs once more.

Give him Gwen's number, Trin.

No.

I look at his peaceful face and smiled. I turned to see Marlene with a shocked look on her face.

"Isn't he the guy who went out with Gwen?" she whispered, soft enough so that Luke was unable to hear her. I nodded.

"Give him Gwen's number! They need this," she said, urgency spread all over her face.

"I... I can't, Marlene," I admitted, ashamed. "Call me selfish but I want him."

Before Marlene could say anything, the teacher walked in and Luke woke up.

"You're gonna have to give to him, one way or another," Marlene hissed.

One way or another.

Gwen and Luke will end up together.

One way or another.

-

"Trin!" I spun around to see Luke jogging towards me.

"Oh, hey," I said, adjusting the strap of my sling bag. "What's up, Luke?"

He grins and takes my hand before running, dragging me along with him. "Figured you should have pizza with us!" he yells as I struggle to keep up with him.

Wait, us?

"Hello, Trinity!" The three boys chorused. I raised my eyebrows. They looked vaguely familiar.

Were we in the same class? I don't know.

"Um, hey?"