Cities and Sewers

19

Monday morning, I was anxious in a way I hadn't felt since... freshman year, I think. The last time I had a real... crush. Person I wanted to impress. I looked over my clothes for a long time trying to figure out what to where when I faced Gray after the events of Saturday night.

We didn't talk for all of Sunday mostly because I considered myself closer with Lee. We were better friends than Gray and I for the most part. I talked to Lee at school more often. I texted Lee frequently. We were ten times more comfortable around each other but in some ways that might be to Gray's crush on me.

After what felt like forever, I decided on a Rolling Stones graphic tee with black and white striped pants and combat boots. I put my hair up in a messy ponytail before meeting my brother (who was yelling at me for taking too long) downstairs.

We pulled up to the front of the school and walked through the familiar hallways. I spotted Lee at his locker talking to some guys and tried to wave, but he only smiled, looking sad and contemplative.

When I got to my first hour class, Gray was waiting outside the door for me.

"I knew you liked me, but I had no idea you were a stalker," I said with fake surprise.

"I prefer observant," Gray smiled. "I was hoping you'd come to the football game on Friday, maybe come to an after party with me?"

"I don't know. I'll have to check my plans," I said sarcastically, walking into my classroom.

"Hard to get. Funny," Gray called after me.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing without looking back. I made eye contact with Nico as I took my seat. He waved at me slightly. I did the same, trying to hide my surprise at his kindness.

During lunch, I told Maci and Ryan about everything that happened with Gray Saturday night and this morning. I left out the part about visiting his ex-girlfriend's house because I felt that was awkward not to mention extreme oversharing.

I arrived at my last hour and took my seat behind Lee who noticeably avoided eye contact with me. Maci, Ryan and I had a brief conversation before the bell rang. I was slightly preoccupied wondering what I did to make Lee mad. The last time I saw him was when he was on his way to L.A. on Saturday. No matter how many times I ran over it in my head, I couldn't figure out what happened.

When the final bell rang, Lee made a quick exit. I said a quick goodbye to Maci and Ryan before chasing after him.

"Lee... Lee, slow down!" I yelled after him.

He stopped begrudgingly.

"Dude, what is going on? Why are you suddenly pissed at me?" I asked.

"It's nothing, Tavi. I promise."

He still wouldn't meet my eyes. "You wanna do something this week? Dinner or... a movie or something?"

He scoffed, like I was offending him or something. "I'm good, Tavi. I have to... study."

"All week?"

He nodded sarcastically and kept walking. I rolled my eyes and texted Maci to meet me at my place later that night. I needed to talk this out.

"Are you blind?!" Maci exclaimed after I finished telling her everything.

"What are you talking about?" I sighed, ready for a lecture.

"Liem Howard likes you! You're lucky, you know that? You not only have a popular football player in love with you, but a literal celebrity!"

"Yeah right. Lee and I are just friends."

Maci practically died laughing.

"I'm serious!"

"Awe, my poor Tavi. I know you're serious. Damn, everyone likes you. Gray, Lee, Ryan..."

"Don't remind me about Ryan. I still don't know how to handle it."

"Cross the bridge when you get there. Right now, you should worry about Liem."

"You're right."

"I know!" Maci smiled.

...

By Thursday, I'd barely spoken to Lee in days. I still tried to say hi or talk to him every day at lunch or in last hour to no avail. Mae and I had a huge test in our third hour government class so we met at the downtown library to study. We were preoccupied for the first twenty minutes looking over the young adult section, but when we finally got back on track, we heard a few large crashes.

We looked around to see nothing, when I heard a voice calling to me. I couldn't quite explain what about the voice was drawing me to it, but I stood up and walked towards it without thinking.

I heard Mae calling after me, but I couldn't make myself turn back. When I rounded a corner, I saw the last person I ever thought I'd see.

"Cole?" I said, unsure. I felt like crying. He smiled his Cole smile. I don't even know how I knew it was Cole. It was my brother, but older. His face was so familiar yet so much older.

"Tavi! Where'd you go?! What's going on?!" Mae yelled.

I looked back for a moment, but my attention was immediately pulled back to Cole in a way I still can't explain. I fell into my big brother with all the affection I tucked away all these years.

I suddenly felt a sharp pang in my back and my eyes became very blurry. I couldn't tell what this sensation was until I felt something poking out of my back when I found the wounded spot. I looked back up into my brother's eyes to see another face completely. I fainted out of sudden fatigue and confusion. Or maybe it was something else.

A/N: A bit of a cliffhanger. Have fun with that one. Ik I haven't been on wattpad or updated this story in literal months, but... idc. It took me forever to figure out how to continue from here, but I'm really proud of the next few chapters. I wrote all of these next few chapters over the course of a few days so yeah. Have fun with them. Love and appreciation to you and everything you do <3