Summer Love: Before the Spark

Chapter 15

Reuben was briskly walking down the halls, his heavy backpack slung over his small shoulder.

In the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a young girl. Her short ebony hair shiny and her silver eyes, eye-catching.

Next to her was a male a little shorter than her. His hands were stuffed in his black hoodie and his emerald colored eyes shined brightly.

Reuben walked over to them, a bright smile on his face.

"Hey Benedict! Hey Winslow," Reuben exclaimed cheerfully.

Winslow smiled and waved at Reuben.

"Hey," Winslow said just as cheerfully.

Benedict regally stood, her slightly cold hands in her cream colored sleeves.

"Hey," She said softly.

Reuben could feel his heart pound against his chest a bit and his vibrant smile grew.

"Anyways," Winslow said, glancing at Reuben for a moment, "I was able to get us some band tickets, as promised."

Winslow took his warm hands out of his small pocket, revealing navy blue tickets.

"For the Everlasting Embers right?" Reuben asked, tilting his head to the side a bit.

"You know it!" Winslow said quickly, "And I can't wait to go, it'll be amazing!"

"Whatever fanboy," Benedict said faintly as she rolled her eyes playfully.

Winslow glanced at Benedict and stuck his tongue out at her.

Reuben just shook his head, a warm smile still on his face.

"Anyways I should get going," Reuben said faintly.

"Huh, why so soon man?" Winslow asked while Benedict just glanced at the two as she gently tucked a strand of her raven colored hair behind her ear.

"Eh, I got to go talk to James," Reuben said, placing his soft hand on his hip.

"Oh ok," Winslow said as he ran his hand through his nut-brown locks.

"Farewell Reuben," Benedict said softly, as she waved goodbye.

"See ya later guys," Reuben said faintly and with that he left the two and continued walking down the hall.

Quickly, he made his way to the cafeteria and instantly walked to the table where James would most likely be.

As he came closer to the table he spotted James, talking to one of his baseball teammates.

As Reuben walked closer, his teammate walked away and Reuben tapped James shoulder.

James turned around with a raised brow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Oh hey Reuben," He said faintly.

"Hey... Um I was just wondering where your sister is?" Reuben asked, "It's been three days since she last came to school y'know."

Jesse rubbed the back of his neck.

"Uh... Well she's sick," James said as he crossed his arms over his chest again.

"Sick?" Reuben questioned under his breath.

"Is it bad?" Reuben asked quietly.

"Uh... It's just a c...cold," He stammered a little on the last word.

"Oh," Reuben said faintly, "Well I hope she gets better soon."

James nodded slowly and Reuben shifted.

"Well I'll see you later James," Reuben said, as he began walking away.

"Yeah see ya," James said as he adjusted his ebony duffel bag.

Reuben spotted Olivia talking to Axel across the cafeteria, so he walked over to them.

"Axel! What are you trying to do, get yourself transferred!?" Olivia exclaimed, jabbing a finger at Axel's chest.

They're arguing, Reuben thought to himself, guess I'm going to have to break them up before they say thing's they'll regret.

"Well, it's not my fault!" Axel exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Not your fault! Oh please!" Olivia snapped.

"Umm... What's wrong?" Reuben asked as he walked up to them, "Why are you two bickering?"

Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose and inhaled sharply.

"He's being lazy," Olivia mumbled, as she put her hand on her hip.

"Ugh, your making it such a big deal Olivia," Axel said a frown settling on his face.

"Yeah yeah yeah," Olivia said and rolled her eyes.

"Uh... Anyone care to explain," Reuben said, growing a little impatient.

"Well he's slacking off in almost all his classes just for the sake of the football team," Olivia explained swiftly.

"Axel, your going to get kicked off the team," Reuben said, "You know how they are about grades."

"Yeah I know, but-"

"There's no excuse for not doing your work," Olivia said.

"She's right," Reuben said, nodding in agreement.

"Look, I'm on the softball team and I'm in a club and I still manage to get all my work done. So there's no excuse whatsoever," Olivia said, her harsh tone growing a little firmer.

Axel groaned and furrowed his brow.

"But Olivia that's you! Your able to get your work done with ease while I struggle with doing mine!" He exclaimed, "And I'm an idiot so what did you expect!"

Axel sighed slowly, "You know what... Forget this," Axel said firmly as he hastily turned around and walked away.

Olivia took a step forward, but Reuben gently stopped her.

"Just let him go," He said in a soothing voice, "Right now he just needs some space."

Olivia glanced at Reuben, pity now in her gaze.

"I feel so bad now," She whispered as she fiddled with a strand of her dark purple hair.

"It's ok," Reuben said softly.

Olivia just shook her head slowly while biting her bottom lip.

"Why'd you even argue over something so trivial?" Reuben asked.

Olivia shrugged.

"I'd rather not talk about it," She mumbled.

"Come on Olivia, you rarely argue with him. What's really going on?" Reuben asked gently.

She took a slow deep breath and said quietly, "I'm just afraid right now that's all."

"Afraid of what?" Reuben questioned out of curiosity.

"I'm afraid of lot's of things right now," She said uneasily.

"Let me guess your scared of losing people," Reuben said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Olivia blinked rapidly, "H-How did you know that?" She asked, shock clearly in her tone.

Reuben exhaled quietly, "I could tell by how you talked to Axel just now. You don't want him to be transferred that obviously says something," He muttered.

Reuben laughed nervously, "And your not the only one here whose afraid of losing people. I am too y'know."