Belonging to the Bad Boy

Chapter 15

It's Thursday, three days after my date with Flynn. My dad said his date went very well, and they've planned to go out tomorrow night on a date night out, stating that she was very polite when his cooking was awful. Mine, on the other hand, was okay. I was far from bad, and for another girl it would have been amazing and she probably would have fallen head over heels for Flynn.

He's charming and caring, so willing to be who he really wants to be when he's with someone he cares about. He's charismatic and kind and friendly and happy. He's an all around amazing guy, and since then he's been attached to my side. He hugs me fondly, kisses me tenderly and cares about anything and everything I have to say. Yet, I find myself on the opposite end. I don't feel the same as him, and he's beginning to notice this. I'm trying so hard to be the person he wants me to be, believes I am.

"Hey," he whispers, gently squeezing my waist. "Are you okay?" He asks, concern clear in his voice. I snap out of my thought, pushing a smile onto my lips and nodding up at him. I see in his eyes he doesn't believe me, yet he nods and pecks my lips. I look back at his friends, Damon at band practice leaving me with our new found friend group.

After another ten minutes of talking, the rest of the group disperses, leaving me and Flynn alone at my locker. I look down the hall, seeing Ranger staring daggers at us. My heart skips, and I tear my eyes from his demanding gaze. "Do you want to tell me what's really wrong?" Flynn's voice interrupts me again. 

He steps in front of my, moving his arm that was wrapped around my waist, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder. I smile, liking the warmth that radiated from him. "I, I just," I trail off, sighing and hanging my head.

Flynn also sighs, using his free hand to lift my chin. "It's not working?" He says, but it comes off as a question. I look at his eyes, the hope that he's wrong glistening brightly, pleading to be wrong.

"I'm sorry," I sigh, shaking my head. "I never meant to lead you on, I just never wanted to hurt you." I admit my feelings, feeling hurt but also feeling relieved. "I know I probably have more now that if I said all of this Monday, but you're genuinely such a nice guy."

He nods, gently squeezing my shoulder in reassurance. "I know, it's okay. I know why," he mumbles, briefly glancing over his shoulder. I wish it wasn't true, and I wish I could like Flynn as he liked me as he's such a good guy and would be so good for me. "But," he says, catching my attention again, "I really hope we can still be friends and keep our group as it is, because you and Damon are a pleasure to be around."

My heart warms and I lean in, wrapping my arms around him and embracing him tightly. His kindness envelopes me, his warmth telling me he's being truthful. He hugs back tightly, resting his chin on my head for a moment before he pulls away. We look at each other for another moment before he kisses my cheek and walks away.

I don't know why I expected him to stay after what I had told him, but now I felt alone again. I nod my head, telling myself that I did what was right for both of us. I throw my bag over my shoulder, already having the books I needed for the rest of the day.

I make my way out of the large, cold front doors of the school and take a right at the steps, bypassing the parking lot and heading towards the football field. It was empty today, no athletes to be seen practising, no game this weekend. I decide to wander into the field, rather than scale the bleachers, wanting a change from my everyday routine.

I wander aimlessly, taking in the warmth of the day on my bare shoulders, my grey tank top straps barely blocking the sun from my skin. My legs heat rapidly, the black denim absorbing the sun as I walk. I stop at a large tree, a few yards away from the pitch, resting my head and back on the bark, the leaves failing to block the sun to my pleasure.