LAW OF ATTRACTION

CHAPTER 20 : WHAT WE ARE

I check my phone for the billionth time this morning. No text, no call, no news of Alex since yesterday... I look around, but there isn't more sign of him anywhere. Though he is present in all my thoughts.

Is he avoiding me? Does he regret it? Hasn't he felt what I felt? Am I just another one of his conquests? Is he playing with me?

He has seemed sincere yesterday when we've talked... But then we've kissed and... Am I that bad at kissing?! I don't have a lot of experience, contrary to him.

All these questions keep replaying in my head since yesterday, and I've hardly slept. Each word we've said keeps resonating in my head; each touch keeps echoing on my skin.

Maybe I should ask him directly... Text him... But what if he finds me too clingy?

I'm the one who has practically run away, but he's the one who hasn't said a word.

What does this kiss mean for him? How has it felt for him? Because for me, it has been magical, intense, haunting... I still can taste him on my lips. In all the mess of my thoughts, this is the only thing I'm certain of.

"Earth to Elena?! Are you here?!" I jump when a voice and snaps of manicured fingers pull me out of my preoccupations.

I have to blink a few times to chase the pair of tenebrous eyes out of my mind and finally focus on the blue worried ones in front of me.

"Are you alright? Because you've been staring at the inside of your locker for quite a while now!" Judy smirks, raising an eyebrow.

"Er... yeah... I was... checking... if I didn't forget a book..." I stammer an excuse, putting the phone I've been gripping too tightly back in my bag.

She looks at me skeptically and then brushes it off. "Anyway, do you know the news everyone is talking about?!"

"No?" I reply, unsure and intrigued by her grin. I'm not really in the mood for gossips – not that I am ever – but maybe it can distract my spiraling thoughts.

"Apparently, someone saw your project partner: Alex Carter," She pauses to add effect to her gossip announcement, though she doesn't need it; the bang of my heart has been enough. "... All lovey-dovey with a girl yesterday night, kissing and holding hands!"

My eyes go wide, and as the heat rushes to my cheeks, I realize I can't escape him.

"Er... and what-what's so extraordinary... I thought you said he's a player?" I try to sound detached, busying my hands at reordering my locker.

"Yeah, he is a player: he fucks girls he meets at parties, for one night – if that – and that's all! He doesn't hold hands, kiss, and all the dating stuff!"

My heart does another leap, but I fight to keep it in check with my hope as I bite on my lower lip.

"And... um, do you know who this girl was?" I ask as casually as possible.

"No... But something tells me you know..." She narrows her blue eyes like a police officer in front of a suspect, and even if I'm a few inches above her, I'm the one shrinking in front of the mischievous smile slowly forming on her lips. "That was you?! I knew it!" She exclaims.

This time, I can feel a drop a sweat running down my neck, as I feel more grilled than if I was under an interrogation bright light. "What?! No-no... I... No!" I stutter.

"You're a very bad liar!" She laughs, shaking her head.

I sigh defeated. "Okay, it was me. But please don't go tell everyone!"