Again (PUBLISHED!)

Chapter 3.

"That's exactly what scares me, El," she said, "There would be nothing new for us to know about each other. Also what if we're not on the same page regarding out feelings? Otherwise too, what if things don't work out and end up badly for us? No, I'm not willing to risk losing our beautiful friendship forever."

"You need to chill, Stef. Since when have you been thinking so much?"

"I have to 'cause it's not only about Adam and me but also about Josh and you. Josh became our friend when he arrived at the Lane in the 8th Grade and since then, the four of us have been like rock. I don't want one wrong move to break the amazing friendship that the four of us share.....Damn! Shouldn't have gone on that fucking road trip!"

Stef, Josh, Adam and I had been on a short road trip during the vacations. It was during this one-week trip that Stef and Adam came to be attracted towards each other.

"All I can say is both of you really like each other and I'm positive that you guys will go strong together. Rest is up to both of you to decide."

"I guess so...Anyways, I think I'll change now."

She stepped out of the swimming pool and headed straight towards the dressing room. I was sitting alone by the deserted poolside waiting for her when my phone beeped again. It was Luke and I ignored him this time too.

Next, I was receiving an incoming call from him.

"I'm really sorry for yesterday, baby..." Luke spoke from the other end when I answered him. "I know you're upset...but don't ignore me like this, it hurts so bad.....Please say that you're not mad at me anymore.."

"I'm, Luke," I said. "You had been away in Scotland for one whole month. I wanted to spend some time alone with just you and me. I wanted things to be special between us but guess you didn't share my feelings."

"I too wanted to spend time with you, baby," Luke insisted, "I promise this will never happen again.."

"I don't think you mean it. Your "promises" don't last for a long time."

"I really really mean it this time, sweetheart! You're the sunshine of my life. If I don't talk to you for a day, it-it kills me....You mean everything to me. You're special and I know you will give me another chance to prove that to you."

I took a deep grave breath. "Fine."

"That-That's great! So...are we good?"

"Yeah...."

I didn't feel good after we hung up. But did it matter? No it didn't. Because what I did was the right thing to do. I rose to my feet and had just started to walk towards the dressing room....

"Eleanor Sanchez."

The mere sound of that unbelievably thick and surreal voice, so powerful and assertive, made my breaths jump onto my dry throat. I stopped short and turned sideways to see my new next-door neighbor, who had just arrived yesterday, stood with an undecipherable expression on his face. For a moment, I was intimidated to the depths of my skin finding his fiery gazes on me and his hands balled into tight fists at his sides as though trying to suppress a violent feeling. He was wearing a dark blue polo shirt with charcoal colored trousers which somehow accentuated his sharp looks and stiff demeanor.

"My name is Devon Parker and I heard you speak to that quarterback," he spoke bluntly as though he didn't find anything wrong in eavesdropping my private talks, "I'm unable to decide who is the bigger nitwit out of the two of us. You for taking that fucker back or I for silently witnessing you do that."

I found his mannerisms appalling. "That would be you because you came out of nowhere and poked your nose into one of the most intimate matters of my life."