Uncoordinated Paths

Chapter 4

Julian's POV

I sat up in my bed, stretching myself out. I took a shower & got myself ready for the morning. 

After brushing my teeth, I put on a muscle I grabbed from one of the drawers in my dresser and headed downstairs, where I saw Cecily eating breakfast. She was already dressed and her hair was in a messy bun. Her blue-gray eyes seemed to shimmer in the morning light. I set myself a bowl of cereal and sat next to Cecily. 

I didn't know why, but I got nervous every time I'd try to talk to her. I never paid her any mind until she came into the house. I ate my cereal next to her, while she was texting and eating a poptart.

Julian: Morning 

Cecily: *looking down at her phone* Morning 

Julian: How long have you been down here? 

Cecily: 10...15 minutes...

We didn't make eye contact. She was too busy on her phone. The awkward silence between us grew. I looked around the room before finally settling my eyes on her. I looked her up and down. I never really saw her as beautiful until recently. I heard my heart beating louder and louder.

Julian: So...what happened with you & Michael last night?

Cecily stopped texting and looked up at me. Her eyes went wide and she put her phone down. We made eye contact. It broke when Michael walked in, shirtless and basketball shorts, with headphones in his ears, iPod in hand and a towel on his shoulder. Cecily looked directly at Michael and didn't take her eyes off him.

Michael: Morning 

He head-bopped us both and went to the fridge, taking out a gatorade. Cecily's eyes followed him. It suddenly hit me. Cecily likes him. But I'm unsure of how Michael feels. 

I grinded my teeth together and quickly finished my cereal. I ran upstairs putting a T shirt on and ran back downstairs with my keys in hand.

Julian: Cec, you taking a ride with me or Michael? 

Cecily: I gotta finish getting my things together, so I'll go with Mikey

Mikey? Since when did she start calling him Mikey? Whatever. I turned around and shut the door behind me. I went inside my car, turned on the radio and started driving off.

***

I stood by the lockers with Nate and the rest of the guys, seeing Cecily and Michael walk in. Michael came toward us and Cecily walked the opposite way over to her friend. Everyone dapped Michael down, while I watched Cecily walk down the hallway. Her friend looked over at me, and I quickly turned my head and scratched the back of my neck, pretending to listen to the conversation the guys had. Turning my attention back to Cecily, I saw her looking over at Michael. Michael was paying no attention. I shrugged my shoulders and looked to see Jessica, Michael's girlfriend, walking our way. She smiled and waved at me, hugging the rest of the boys and stood next to Michael, kissing him on the cheek. 

I felt my heart sting. I knew how I felt, but I didn't wanna admit it. I was jealous. It was probably a phase, I never even pay attention to Cecily like that, so I decided to ignore it.

***

After-school

Cecily's POV

I walked over to the gym for Michael's wrestling competition. Sitting on the bench, I took out my phone and unlocked it. 18 missed calls and all from my mother. If anybody, I had to call my brother to let him know I was safe. I went over to the back room, where I passed up Jessica and a couple of guys including Julian. I called his phone several times and got no answer. I ultimately decided to text him, and unintentionally listening in in the conversation.