Everlong

| Fifteen: Ellie |

I'd been sitting in the shower for about fifteen minutes now.

I nearly sucked in water with every breath, my shoulders were hunched forward to catch the heat and the water hitting my skull sounded like rain on the roof. I liked it – I'd always loved the rain, curling up on the lounge with Jack and dad, or mum, or curling up in bed and just listening.

I wasn't particularly soothed today, though. No one sitting in a shower usually was. Calm people didn't just decide to sit on the tiles with their eyes closed for far too long.

Miles had kissed me.

He'd been close to me, then closer, and then his mouth had covered mine. He'd looked at me like that, and then he'd moved closer. As close as he could get to me while being wedged between the lounge and the coffee table.

Then he'd left.

We'd pulled away from the kiss, and I'd watched his face slowly dawn with confusion and worry. He'd hastily excused himself, claiming the need to check on his dad, and the rumble of the Rodeo's engine had marked his departure.

I'd gone to bed stunned. I'd gone to school with Jack stunned. Miles seemed to have returned to normal overnight, not a flicker of the worry he'd shown the night before. All day he'd leaned just a bit further than he normally would, spoke just a bit softer, rested his limbs just a bit closer. His eyes had been warm, and my head had been spinning.

What did that mean? He'd rushed out, clearly spooked by something, but the next day he was completely normal? He didn't once mention our lip-locking adventure, though his behaviour would suggest that he wanted to talk about it, if not repeat it. Right?

Did Jack know? He hadn't seemed like it, only throwing a few odd glances Miles' way when he leaned a bit too close or watched me for longer than usual. Would Miles have told him? When would he have had the chance to? What was Jack's reaction?

The shower wasn't helping like I'd hoped it would.

Maybe tomorrow would be clearer?

|*|

It was not clearer.

We were in second period, history, and he was leaning even closer than yesterday. He didn't seem to notice – or at least care about – Joel glaring holes into our backs, or really about what the teacher was saying. Ours arms were nearly pressed together, and he'd been flashing his half-smile like it was a hundred dollars.

It sure felt like it when he sent it my way.

I'd managed to keep up decent conversation, but my entire body was keenly aware of his heat. It was very distracting. I was proud I wasn't vibrating in my seat with contained – something. Heat or confusion or something equally unsettling.

"It depends on what adaptation of vampire and werewolf we're talking about," he said, bringing me back into the conversation. "Just turning into a dog is pretty boring compared to, like, Van Helsing werewolves. In saying that, though, they're slaves to Dracula and that's not ideal."

"Do you know any other kind of vampire or werewolf?" I asked.

He thought for a moment. "I watched that Red Riding Hood movie a while ago. The werewolf in that was pretty cool."

"You'd have to go around eating people," I pointed out, glancing up from my notes.

He slid a heated look at me. "I could learn to enjoy it."

I swallowed thickly and ducked my head, scribbling barely-legible notes. Miles fell quiet beside me, turning to the front for once. He remained quiet for the last half hour of the period, until the bell released us. I made to race away, but a hand gently gripping my elbow stopped me.