Ava's POV:
I turn around, seeing him standing on the other side of the hallway. "What?"
"What's wrong with this shirt?"
Everything is wrong with that shirt.
"It's been collecting dust in my locker for too long! I don't want to get a rash!" I bit my inner cheeks, feeling a surge of emotions rushing through every fiber of my body. "It's time I give it back to you! It...It was never mine to begin with!" The words seem to choke me, ruthlessly.
Luke stood there, allowing the shirt to linger on his side as he stared at me. At that moment, the sunlight beams through the glass, reflecting on the freckles dancing across his cheeks. His brown hair wisp across his eyes, the ones that weren't made to be mine.
The ones that will never look at me.
I swallow, eyes tilting towards the ground as my legs motion down the empty halls.
Empty.
It's always so empty.
Settling myself inside the restroom, I continue wiping onto my shirt...over...over...and over.
Again...again...again.
Why won't the damn juice come off?
It refuses to remove itself.
I continued wiping, feeling my hand shaking as it held the shirt tightly. Biting my upper lip, I look up to see a reflection of myself. Hair was in disarray from the continuous motion of rushing my fingers through it. The edge of my lip was slightly red due to the constant biting. I ran my fingers across my cheek, "Why are you crying?"
The paper towel drop from my hand sways down towards the ground.
I did the same.
I bury my hands over my face, "Stupid Ava. Don't cry. Don't cry. He isn't worth crying over."
After all this time, I thought I was done crying for him. Yet, with a dash of memory from the past, it all came back.
I didn't return to class.
Finally, the lunch bell rang. I sigh, hearing my stomach growl. "You do not respect me when I say I need some personal time," I grumble, pointing at my stomach.
Stepping out of the stall, I checked the hallway to ensure it was nearly empty. I rush towards the lockers to grab my makeup and hide the red marks around my eyes from the constant rubbing.
After covering up my eyes with makeup, a sigh of relief exited my throat. I close my locker and leap back. "Oh shit! Eli! You scared me!" I scream, patting my booming chest. "How long have you been standing there?"
His eyes narrow, "I called you a few times, but you didn't respond." He tilts his head, "Were you crying?"
"No," I respond too fast.
Eli's gaze drops to my stained shirt, and his cheeks turn red. He placed a fist over his mouth and began coughing. I looked down, realizing my purple bra was peeking. I glance up, seeing the shade on Eli's face rush towards his ears, and I laugh.
He closes his eyes, "Shut up," he grumbles.
I close my arms, holding a smirk on my lips. "This is a surprise considering you have been trying to get into my pants for nearly three weeks."
Eli peeks at me, "I am." He looks down at my breasts, "But, I was raised to be a gentleman."
I place a finger under his chin and lift it, "Mister Gentleman, my eyes are up here."
He grins, "I can be a gentleman in many different ways." He wiggled his brows.
I slap the back of his head, "Not even in your dreams."
He clasps his hands together, "Oh, come on! Please, at least allow me to keep my dreams!" He playfully begs, batting his dark lashes, "What should I do to keep it? Get on my knees?"
I fought the urge to smile, but the apparent cheekbones betray me, "Okay, you can keep your dreams."
"You are one kind, madam." He tilts an invisible hat.
I smile, feeling my hair swaying across my cheek. Eli sighs, drops his backpack. He unzips his sweater to reveal a Harry Potter shirt. He wraps it around me, and I look up, feeling his proximity.
"Thank you," I whisper.
He smiles, "You're not going to feel embarrassed walking around with a Pokemon sweater?"
I laugh, "Better than orange juice."
He went on one knee, causing me to freeze in place as he stared at my shirt, "I think that's cranberry."
I look down, "Huh. I swore it was orange."
Eli laughs with his ears still red.
I push him back, "You're too weird," I said, walking towards the cafeteria.
"Wait up for your weirdo!" He shouts.
Upon entering the cafeteria, the volume seems to lower. My eyes met with Mina, who quickly turned her head. She was sitting with her regular group who hates everyone who does sports with a passion. Next, it lingers towards Luke who's glaring at me.
"Now, ma'am," Eli said, capturing my attention.
"Yes?" I respond, walking towards our usual table.
"Excuse my rudeness, but since I allow you to wear my sweater, which costs a total of $9.99. You owe me a favor."
A snort exits my nostrils without my permission, and I cover it up by clearing my throat, "$9.99?"
"Plus tax!"
I lift a brow, "And what is this favor?"
"Kiss me," he said quickly.
"No."
He leans his head closer to me, "Kiss my cheek."
"Rejected."
"Hold my hand until lunch ends."
"Try again."
"A hug?" He spread his arms.
"I'll let you hold my backpack."
He smiles, "Deal!"
"Seriously?"
"Mama says one of the best ways into a girl's heart is by holding her stuff."
I sat down, "You serious?"
He nods, "Papa holds mama stuff all the time, and they are happily married for way too long."
I chuckle, pulling out my lunchbox, "Your dad needs to reevaluate his life." I open the lid and place half my peanut butter and jelly sandwich on top of Eli's lunch.
"What? No fair! Why you?" Ben screamed.
Eli grinned. "Because I'm awesome." He took a bite from the sandwich then wink at me.
Once lunch ended, everything fell back into place. I attend the rest of my classes and finish cheer. Walking down the hallway, I was ready to go home until a warm hand grasped my wrist.
Opening my mouth, I was ready to scream until I realized who it was. "Fuck! Parker! You scare the shit out of me!"
He stood there, both hands resting against the wall. "I'm going to ask this only once."
I rotate my shoulder, feeling a slight soreness, "What?"
"Are you sleeping with that little loser?"
"Who?"
He ground his molars, "That little punk with the stupid sweater."
I look down, "Ah, Eli." I sigh, "Why does it matter whom I sleep with?" I reply, quite exhausted with my day.
He bit his lower lips, inhaling a shaky breath, "I...Because he is a loser!"
"Don't talk about Eli like that. He is a nice guy." I push him back, "Unlike you."
"Why?" He mumbles, and I stop walking, feeling the unwanted tightening inside my chest. "Why him?"