Running From You

Chapter 27

TYLER

I hate the way she's back to ignoring me. I admittedly liked the change in the past few weeks when she actually talked to me. I realize it's my fault we're not friends but fuck it I already miss her. She managed to slither back into my heart in just a couple of weeks and I both hate and love her more for it.

I lean back in the uncomfortable chair, waiting for the class to fill up. Vivid laughter reaches my ears and I look up just in time to see Nora walking into the room with Evan in tow. She looks back over her shoulder at him and he says something to make her laugh again.

I have to squeeze my fingers into tight fists to not hit something. I hate how he gets her to laugh so easily whereas I just manage to piss her off all the time. I hate being jealous of my best friend but I can't help it. It's so easy for him to talk to her, to be friends with her.

Evan sees me then and I soothe out the frown on my face before he notices. He says something to Nora, who scowls and pointedly looks at everywhere but me before stalking to the other side of the room to her friends.

"She really is pissed at you," he says as he sits down next to me.

"No shit, Sherlock," I growl. "Way to point out the obvious."

He just shrugs and digs out his books. "Sorry."

The teacher comes in then and we both shut up.

I can't help but glance at Nora from the corner of my eye for the duration of the lesson. She looks so beautiful, her hair in its natural curly state and the red lipstick making her lips look delicious. I just want to grab her by the back of her neck and bring her mouth to mine. I want to hear her moan my name as I make come. I want to fuck her senseless and have her lie in my arms after. Shit, I'm a goner.

I'm only woken up from daydreaming when Evan claps his hands next to my ear, hard. "Dude!" I yell, rubbing my ear. "What the hell?"

"Class is over," he's already packing his bag.

Oh. I look around, seeing everybody else already heading for the door. Nora disappears quickly to the mass of people, no doubt wanting to get as fast away from me as possible.

I say bye to Evan and hurry to pre-calc, trying to come up with a way to get Nora to talk to me but she only shows up in class just as the bell rings, making a beeline to the other side of the room from me. I sigh, opening my book and trying to concentrate on what the teacher is explaining up front.

When the class finally ends after what feels like hours, I quickly pack my stuff and almost run to her desk, where she's still putting her things away.

"I'm sorry," I say hurriedly before she can bounce. She keeps her eyes on her belongings, pointedly ignoring me. "Please," I beg her. Never thought I'd do that. "Just talk to me."

She flings her bag on her shoulder and gets up, turning her back to me as she starts heading to the door.

"Nora!" I reach out to stop her but am immediately reminded of the sight of Zane doing the same just a few months ago and let my arm fall. She stops anyway. I'm taking that as a good sign and press on. "I really am sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I was upset and..."

She turns around so fast that the rest of my words die on my lips. Her eyes are void of any of the warmth they usually hold as she looks at me. "You were upset?" her tone is ice cold. "That's no excuse."

"I know," I hurry to say. "I..."

"I don't care," she rubs her temples, as if her head is hurting. "I just... I don't care, Tyler. You are who you are. You can't change it anymore than I can change myself. I knew who you are and I made the mistake of getting involved anyway. My mistake."