10:01 PM
UNKNOWN NUMBER
We need to talk.
10:01 PM
Aubrey
Who's this?
10:03 PM
UNKNOWN NUMBER
Landon
10:04 PM
Aubrey
We don't need to talk.
10:06 PM
Landon
Please
10:12 PM
Aubrey
I've given you too many chances.
I'm done, Landon.
10:15 PM
Landon
Aubrey, you don't understand..
After I received the text message, I didn't hesitate to block the number from giving me anymore texts. I sighed, laying back against the soft comforter as I slowly drifted off to sleep.
- - -
I held my books between my arms as I made my way towards Colton's locker. I didn't cancel out on him yesterday, I was so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot the real reason why I got so dressed up last night. I pressed my lips together, seeing Colton's back facing me from afar.
"Colton," I called out. He turns around right away; his eyes weren't as bright as before, his lips didn't curve into the usual happy grin he always held.
"Hey," he greeted, turning his back towards me again pretending to do something inside his locker.
"I'm sorry about last night," I started, creeping my body to face him, "Austin grounded me, and I was so caught up with—"
"Landon, I know," Colton scoffs, shoving the books into his locker.
A dark cloud hovered above my head; I felt bad for him, I really did. I looked down at the floor and stared at it in silence before Colton shuts his locker door.
"Did you wait for me?" I finally asked, quietly.
Colton releases a small sigh, leaning against the locker with his hands in his pockets, "Of course, I did."
"I'm sorry," I leaned my head back, staring at the ceiling in pure annoyance of myself.
"It's whatever," he responded blankly.
We stood there for about a minute. Even though the hallway was filled with loud kids, nothing filled our air more than awkward quietness. I swallowed nervously and rubbed one of my palm against my thigh.
I took a deep breath, feeling my heart beat against my chest slowly. Colton then lifted his head and looked at me with his tired blue eyes, blinking twice before straightening up his posture.
"I feel like something's going on between you and Landon though," he casually mentions. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Colton's fist starting to clench as he tries to maintain his feelings.
"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at him curiously, "I've been doing nothing but trying to avoid him. You know how much I hate him."
He leans towards me, looking at me in disbelief before going on a full-blown rampage, "Remember that day when we almost kissed and you said Austin was going to drive you home? I wasn't just going to leave you alone in the parking lot in the middle of the night; until I saw you with Landon."
"Yeah, that's because he found me," I quickly interrupted him.
He held a finger up and slightly raised his voice, "And you went on a date with him, the day I confessed to you."
I scoffed in disbelief before holding my books tighter against my chest, "That's because I was trying to change him!"
"You left me hanging yesterday, when I asked you out on a date," he rebutted. He was hurt, the emotion on his face showed nothing but pain.
I looked down and mumbled, "I was grounded."
"Excuses, Aubrey!" he cries as he lightly punches the locker, looking at me with painful eyes. He shook his head and turned his back to me, clearly angry at how much I've lead him on.
I walked towards the front of him and stared up at him. All he did was avoid my gaze, staring at the floor. The bell suddenly had rung, it was time for class. We both didn't move, instead we stood there in the silence until the hallway was soon to be empty.
Colton couldn't help but to crack a smile about ten minutes later. He was still mad at me, but not to the point where he hated me. I looked up at him in confusion as he ruffled my hair, "I'm too nice," he pleases himself.
He puts his arm around the back of my neck and pulls me into a deep hug, tightening his embrace around me. I softened at his response and leaned my body against his.
He drops his head into the crook of my neck, mumbling against my skin. "For some reason, I can't stay mad at you." I felt the vibration of his lips against my neck. I couldn't help but smile at his comfort.
Just a second ago, Colton was so angry and jealous; but after staying by his side the whole way through, he lost his anger and soon was just back to normal.
He pulls himself back up in a straight posture and smiles at me, pinching my cheeks lightly, "You should get to class, your dad will get mad," he says softly.
I nodded at him, looking at him for a quick second before walking off, "You too," I cooed, with my back still facing him.
"Love you," he calls out down the hallway. I laughed at his message and continued making my way to class.
I stood in front of my Pre-Calculus class, peaking through the window. Landon was sitting in his assigned seat, next to me. He was staring at the empty seat, with a look that I've never seen before. It was a look of curiosity, worries and just a hint of empathy.
I bit the inside of my cheek and leaned my back against the door. I don't want to skip class, I didn't want to ruin my dad's values; but I didn't want to go to class, the reason was obvious. I shook my head at my thought and took a deep breath.
All you have to do is go to class, learn, and ignore him.
I blinked slowly, taking another deep breath before swinging the door open; a cold expression quickly plastered among my face.
Landon looked at me, straightening up in his seat as he watches me walk towards my seat. I made eye contact with him before ruthlessly ignore his presence; sitting myself next to him.
"Aubrey," he whispers from my right.
I tried my hardest to ignore him. I kept my eyes on the equation on my paper, pretending to debate on the steps.
He sensed I was ignoring him on purpose, and he did the lowest of the low. He raised his hand to get attention of our teacher, before speaking out loud, "Mr. Winston, can Aubrey and I have a talk outside really quick?"
Mr. Winston obviously wasn't amused by the drama between us. He waved him off giving him an approval before Landon quickly grabs my wrist and drags me outside.
Quietly, I've been trying to pull my wrist back, spitting words such as 'let me go' and 'what are you doing'. Landon opens the door and quickly slams it as soon as we got outside. I bit my tongue and crossed my arms, waiting for an explanation.
"I'm sorry," he pauses, "again."
I furrowed my eyebrows, "I get it," I spat.
He was slightly surprised by my sudden attitude. He straightens up and puts his posture, looking at me in the eyes. All that appeared in those blue glistening pearls were pain. My lips parted, slightly gasping from the cuts and bruises that remained on his face.
Isaiah and Landon had the fight three days back, but the cuts and bruises on Landon's face still looked quite as bad as they did on the first day. He had cuts along his right cheekbone, his upper lip and the left side of his forehead; where his hair parted. The cheek with the cut was still slightly healing from the bruise.
I've never got a close look at Landon's face until now. He was beat badly by Isaiah; a lot worse then how bad he beat Isaiah in the beginning of school.
"Just, one last chance," Landon mumbles under his breath, staring not at me but behind me at the lockers.
"Fine."
- - -
i'm trying to update daily
but i might start updating every other days now,
it depends on how busy university is getting < 3
x apricitys