The Fallen |BxB| ✓

19 | Reel Me Back

↞[Ken]↠

Not a single soul was wandering in the library. A linear path formed by rows of bookshelves, placed back to back, led to a seating area, which was also empty.

"Seems ghosted! Let's go back to civilization—"

Bella grabbed my forearm and placed a finger on her lips, frantically asking me to shut up.

Before I could argue with Bella, a shrill feminine voice echoed from somewhere in front. "Luke! I was looking everywhere!" Alison Haynes.

I pleaded with Bella, shooting one of my best puppy eyes at her, but her frown just deepened as she pulled me alongside her. Moving closer, I saw two shadows on the tawny wooden flooring and dread churned the insides of my stomach. I was partially thankful when Bella tiptoed behind the bookshelf where Luke and Alison were potentially standing. They had not heard us, which was ridiculous considering how hushed the place was.

Safely behind the shelves, Bella muttered, to no-one in particular, "I'll show this bitch a thing or two on eavesdropping." She kneeled between two bookcases, a slit enough for a slither of light to pass. "Too bad we don't have popcorn, Ken."

"You're scaring me, Bella," I whispered back, slumping down beside her, avoiding the discoloring stain on the floor.

"Shh. Wait and watch Alison solve all our problems."

Without responding, I chewed the insides of my cheeks, keeping my breathing silent yet fast enough to keep up with my escalated heart.

I am so close to him.

Suddenly, the AC air did not feel enough to keep my sweating in check, and nervousness cackled like fire around me. Fuck this.

Alison's voice rang out from behind me, "Luke? Hello? Are you listening?"

"What do you want?" My heart stopped for a second. Though still heated with the same ice, hearing his voice after so long clenched my chest like hearing a lost echo from a hazy night.

"I came here to talk," Alison said with staggering confidence.

Nothing.

She spoke again, "I want to apologize."

Luke did not spare the girl an answer as he scoffed. I did not know Alison enough, but I could guess what she felt at that moment. The past week showed me a completely different side of Luke, far from his warm, loving personality — cold and distant. It was so hard to believe.

"I know you're angry." There was a subtle shake in her voice, enough to know that Alison wasn't sure what she was doing anymore. "And I deserve that. B-but trust me, Luke, after the breakup, I thought about you every day."

"Bleh, one more word from her, and I'll puke, too," Bella whispered. She was propped on her knees beside me, facing towards the duo, and trying to peer through the gaps between two bookshelves.