Michael knew where he needed to go. Eileen, who had a free period, would be in the library working on her paper.
《***》
Luckily, it was almost finished for both of them. Footsteps approached her as she ignored whoever was behind her. He was out of breath, but he showed up. She wasn't going to be too forgiving with him after he left her high and dry. “Look, I'm sorry I've been a jerk to you lately.” He began to say, Michael took the empty seat next to her. “You have every right to hate me for it.”
She rose from her seat. He sighed and followed her to the row of books. She heard his footsteps behind her and she released an audible sigh. Eileen stopped her tracks, as she turned around and bumped into him. “You're following me because?” She asked in a snobbish tone.
He deserved that from her. “Hear me out, please?” He hoped to get five minutes with her.
“Why? Because all I've been doing since I came here was to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone. Nobody ever cared about my feelings or what I thought. They did whatever they felt like it. Kelli, Avery, my brothers no matter what I try it's always my fault!” She told him in a light whisper as she walked farther inside the long row of books.
He trailed behind once again. He knew she was stressing over a lot of things in her life.
“I knew coming back here was going to get me in trouble. Now I wish I didn't come back at all. You and Ethan are fighting because of me. This whole thing with Avery has messed everyone I care about up, nothing I do is ever good enough.” She started to vent, which made everything better, but at the same time, she got lost. She started to get dizzy as she forgot what she needed in the first place. Part of her was antsy to be with Michael because of her nightmare.
“Eileen,” Michael grabbed her arm gently to turn her around and realize how close they were.
For that split-second, she felt safe. Much as it felt nice, she couldn't have a happy ending. With her, it doesn't exist. “Let's finish this paper first, and then we'll work on everything else, okay?” She released his grip.
He kicked himself for not making his move right then and there. What would've happened if he had kissed her? They went their separate ways after the next bell rang.
《***》
Ethan jogged up to him. “So? How'd it go?” Ethan wanted details.
All Michael could do was bang his head on the locker.
“That bad?” He asked and wondered how bad he tanked.
“She pulled away from me.” Michael couldn't figure out the words to explain.
“Why would she be afraid of you, man?” That would be the question, wouldn't it?
“It's not you whom she's afraid of.” Kasper's voice trailed, which made them turn to see him walking up towards their direction.
“What do you mean?” Ethan questioned.
“That nightmare she had a few weeks ago? The reason why she can't look at the two of you?” Kasper wanted them to put two and two together.
“Why should she be scared of us?” Ethan let his mind wander and tried to figure it out. Why was he even trying to help them sort this out?
Michael spotted Avery, who came from the corner of his eye. His lips drew into a snarl. He did something to her again. He had to. A few moments Kasper knew where he was going as Kasper got Ethan's attention. He muttered under his breaths they headed over in case they needed backup.
“What did you say to her?” Michael shoved Avery back into the lockers.
“Nice to see you too kid,”
Michael tightened his grip on Avery's shirt.
“Hey, don't do something you'll regret.” Ethan already knew he didn't care at this point.
“I don't know what or who you're talking about junior.” Avery figured the reason for this ambush was because of Eileen.
Avery stared at Kasper, who was enjoying the show. “Not going to do a damn thing huh?”
Kasper chuckled to himself. “Last time I checked, I thought I don't work for you anymore. Besides, you seem to be handling this on your own, right? Why do you need my help in the first place?” Kasper claimed that Avery was the 'leader' of the pack.
Avery laughed. It wasn't his first predicament to fight by himself. “Another one was trying to play the hero. Well, then hero tell me this. What's going to happen if your specific audience is watching you this very minute? Think you can do it?”
Ethan wondered what he was talking about. His eyes daggers to a specific person. Eileen was one who watched them among peers around the hallway.
“Hey, sweetheart, it seems that I'm the reason why you're afraid of these two. Want to set the record straight?”
Eileen walked up to where Michael was holding Avery. Their eyes met as he could feel the tension from her glare.
“Eileen I'm only doing this because—”
She didn't want to hear it. “Let him go,”
Michael does, but not before he slammed him back one last time. Avery, with a sly smirk on his face, rubs the back of his head.
Ethan moves upwards next to him. To defend Michael. “Eileen, come on, talk to us.”
She turned to Kasper and ignored Ethan. “This is your doing? Why am I not surprised by any of this?”
Torrie walked by as she saw some kind of showdown between Kasper and Eileen?
“Whatever is going on with you, you're taking it out on them. All they tried to do was help you for the past few months. Did they get anything out of it? No. Wonder why that is,”
Eileen slapped him, which made Torrie gasp. She knew he was right. She appreciated their help over the past few months, but Torrie could tell her emotions were all over the place today. Kasper felt from that slap she was fighting with her feelings.
“I never asked them for any help! You don't know a damn thing about me in the first place. I don't know whatever is going on between you and my sister, but I never needed a handout. I was just fine doing things on my own.”
Kasper glanced over at Avery's direction, who watched that smug smirk on his face. “Really? Because, from the way I see it you are reluctant of something, if it's not about Avery. Then it's about someone else.”
Her eyes go wide in shock. How did he? “You really know how to pick them, don't you sis?” Eileen bumped into her sister on the way out. Already humiliated as it was.
Both Ethan and Michael had the same dumbfounded look on their faces. Is that the reason why she couldn't look at them? Not because she was afraid, but because she couldn't figure out who she wanted?
“Dare I ask what that was about?” Torrie craned her neck as she watched her sister turn the corner. And wanted to follow after her. But Eileen ignored her as she left.
“You know this is your fault, man.” Michael wanted to take his frustrations out on someone. That someone would be his rival at the moment, Ethan. He shoved Ethan’s back into the locker making it shatter.
“How is this my fault? I didn't do anything.” Ethan regained his composure before he shoved Michael back harder. He let his emotions get the better of him today.
“Yeah, Lockhart, you seem to have things under control.” Avery laughed as he walked away as Ryley and Heagertigh duke it out in the hallway.
“Goddammit!” Kasper groaned and forced himself to break it up.
“Hey! Break it up right now!” Kasper, who got hit in the crossfire a few times. Found a way back in. He grabbed Ryley by the waist dragging him away from Heagertigh.
Heagertigh pounced on Kasper's back, knocking both of them down.
《***》
“Leave me alone,” snarled the voice of Eileen Rubey as she tried to bundle up, she noticed a shadow that followed her a mile from school and gave up trying to outwit whoever followed her. Whether it be Ethan or Michael, she wasn't in the mood for company.
“Sorry, can't do that darlin',” that chilled voice made her stop her tracks.
OH. MY. GOD. Why did he of all people follow me? Eileen debated looking at him. She
couldn't move. “What, come to kick me when I'm down even more?” As she barely made eye contact with him.
“Actually, sweetheart, I wanted to say thank you for what you did back there.”
She heard the sincerity in his tone. Eileen folded her arms across her chest. Did Avery Maddox say something nice for once? “I didn't do it for you. Don't flatter yourself, Avery.”
She never misses a beat. He chuckled and sauntered in front of her. He did love her quirky banter. “I know you didn't do it for me, but I’ve watched you lately. I've seen the way you've acted towards Ryley and Heagertigh. Much as I hate to admit, Kasper might be right.” Avery hated that he was. “They care about your well-being. You have those two idiots wrapped around your fingers. No matter what you do, nothing will change how they feel.”
She narrowed her eyes at the ground. Intrigued to understand why he's talking about mushy romantic feelings? Avery does not have a romantic bone in his body. Why does it sound like he's been in her shoes? “You sound like you speak from experience. Why do you care anyway? You hate me, remember?”
He smiles. That was the thing, he doesn't hate her. His hatred is for Kasper. “Maybe I have a soft spot for ya?” He admitted and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Trust and love are a two-way street. You never know until you least expect it, and when you find it. You'll do whatever it takes to hold onto that one person. Obstacles and chaos crash into it. Try to break you. The question you gotta ask yourself, is it worth all this misery?”
She closed her eyes as she had flashbacks between the two of them and re-opened her eyes.
He knew she made her decision. “Seems like you already know. Can't deny or stall anymore. Make sure you don't take too long while you wait. You never know when you'll get the chance to tell him.”
How the hell did he do that? Eileen remained breathless. She managed to pick the guy she wanted to be within mere moments.
《***》
“You alright?” Asked her sister Torrie.
Eileen knew she'd be lurking around.
“What did Avery want? I noticed he was behind you.”
Eileen shrugged, unsure why he was there. He never gave her a reason. “Not sure I can say, all I know is I've had a few issues to deal with on my own, as of late.”
Torrie knew she let her baby sister down these past few months. “I wanted to see how you were doing. I know I haven't been there as much.”
Eileen nods, but she expected her not to. “You can't always be there for me, Torrie we both have our own lives to live. You can't protect me every time.” Eileen reminded her.
“Here, I thought I'm supposed to cheer you up?”
Eileen giggled. “You already taught me so much, Torrie, but I need to follow my own heart.”
Torrie hoped this wouldn't be a habit. She'll always be there for her. “So, what did it say?” Torrie knew her heart was about Ethan and Michael.
Moments ago, she was able to pick. Now it sounds as if she's back at square one. “Honestly? I don't know. I can't give them the cold shoulder anymore.” Eileen sauntered away from her sister.
Alone in the cold once more. Torrie tried to catch up with her sister as they walked home.
Chapter 22
“I hate lying to Caden,”
Flynn peered at Kate, who saw the remorse in her eyes. He hated to admit, but during their time together he saw the real Kate. Part of him knew when Caden would find out their relationship could change. It's better to know then rather be kept in the dark. The chase might have started as a game, but every time he hung out with Kate, his feelings developed. He was keen on keeping that promise he made to Caden and himself. Flynn never intended to stab his brother in the back. “He'll find out soon enough. He assumed there was some mysterious rendezvousing going on between us.” He teased to lighten the mood.
Kate couldn't help but smile. Their eyes were staring back at one another awkwardly. Kate broke the focus minutes later. “Why would there be? I'm not your type. Caden's coddling.” Evidently, her opinion was dead on. Flynn was a womanizer who never gave Kate a second glance. Once this calms down, he'll be drooling on some new chick. She won't be jealous about it either. As for Caden, all her life, he was her big protective brother, which she was ever so grateful for. Kate would never jeopardize her friendship over some crush.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Flynn gritted his teeth. Lying he nods his head.
“Y-yeah … of course, you're not my type. Look at our track record already.” He referred to that god-awful date he dragged them too. They both cringed. Their eyes shifted down at the floor, momentarily.
“Besides you'll forget all about me after you get that thorn off your side,” Kate added. “We'll be friends.”
The words echoed in Flynn's ears. The friends' zone. He scoffs, rolling his eyes. Wondering how he got there.
Kate's voice continued, but he stopped paying attention. “Girls can be friends with guys without wanting anything in return.”
Great, that is exactly where I wanted to be. Like my brother. Just get this over with, and things will go back to normal. Flynn thought inside his head. Welp, he got cock-blocked for one night. With their session over. He cleared his throat. “I'm going to go call Tiffani.”
Way to go, Lennox. You scared him away with the 'friend zone’ Kate stood up packing her books in her bag.
《***》
Caden came downstairs after bumping into his brother. “You heading out?”
Kate nods, closing her backpack up. “Yeah, just about to.”
Caden grabbed his jacket from the hallway closet. “Want to take the long way home?”
She nods her head. She missed hanging out with him in the past few weeks. Any chance she got with him; she was going to take it.
Caden let her leave the house first. He smiles, following shortly behind. There was something he couldn't shake with this unlikely friendship. “You sure I have nothing to worry about?”
There it was. She kept timing how long it would take before he blurted it out. “Caden—”
Caden heard her sigh. He cut her off. He stood in front of her. Luckily for her, they were near her place anyway. She can tell he was concerned about her well-being.
His nightmares began making him unfocused with his schoolwork. All Caden could think about was Kate leaving him. “Kate,”
“Caden, I know what you're going to say. You don't need to say it.” Kate tried to interrupt him, but Caden wasn't going to budge.
“No, Kate, you need to listen to me. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you. You don't think I see the way you guys were staring at each other? Please don't lie to me, because I'm not jealous or paranoid.”
“Caden—” Kate tried to plead with him again about saying something.
He had to try. Make her see what kind of guy Flynn was. “Just listen, okay?”
Kate remained quiet to a persisting Caden. She nods her head in agreement as she listens to him, pouring his heart out.
“My brother is a womanizer; we both know how he is with girls. He never settles. He lowered girls' esteem. You don't deserve to be around a guy like him.” Caden felt his heartbeat rise with every shaky breath. He got her attention for sure. “You want someone who'll cherish you. Who'll treat you with the affection you deserve. He'll make you the center of attention when you walk in the room.” He rubs his thumb over her knuckles.
Kate stood there, appalled. Her throat closed up. She blinked unsure what to say. She became overwhelmed in his confession. Tension stood between the two of them. Whether this was the moment Caden chose to go for it or not. At least she knew. This was the first shot, the first opportunity he came across to pour every emotion he held. He's loved Kate from afar since the moment they met. It was no longer a dream. This was his moment. No matter what the outcome is. But could she love him back? She was so confused at this moment she couldn't think straight.
Caden's voice broke her concentration. �
�Kate don't fall for my brother's tricks. All he'll do is end up hurting you. Break the cycle once and for all. Stand up to him. I know you'll make the right choice.” There he said what he wanted to say. His heart was beating so hard out of his chest he couldn't breathe. Caden wasn't sure where Kate's true intentions lie after this. The only thing that was true, Kate saw a new side of Caden tonight. Hopefully, she takes the impression Caden said about his brother by heart. He hated to point out the obvious facts about him. But he wanted her to be well aware of his promiscuous lifestyle.
True Love:Follow Your Heart Page 16
