*** Tuesday
To my surprise, nobody called home, I couldn't tell if it was because Phoenix got the hint to stop messing with me or because he had something else in mind.
Like beating me to the size of a pulp.
I may have started working out over the summer, which really paid off- but it still didn't compare to how buff he was to me.
I'm surprised I had even staggered him.
"Have a good day, sweetie!"
"Bye, mom." I watched as my mom's car left and then took a deep breath before heading into the school.
Having Ayden's hoodie in my bag made it feel ten times heavier when I thought about having to face him after yesterday.
God damnit, why did I have to kiss him.
*** Science
When I walked into my second period, I felt my heart drop to my stomach as soon as I saw Ayden sitting down at a desk.
He must've ditched second period yesterday, too.
After I stood awkwardly in the doorway for a moment, he locked eyes with me, making me quickly look away. I sat down at my seat, which luckily wasn't close enough for him to try and talk to me.
I could feel his eyes staring into me.
"Alright, class, as you know, we're starting our first project on Friday, so I've separated you all into pairs. I'm going to read aloud who your partners will be." Mrs. Kyle begins to read the names listed on a sheet of paper.
Pairs? Oh no... please don't be with-
"Eziekiel and Ayden, you two will be working together."
...him.
Class goes on as normal, more or less-
WHO AM I KIDDING!?
I'm a literal wreck.
When the bell rings, I rush out of there as fast as I'm able - considering I'm not the only one who wants to get out first.
I feel a hand grasp my arm, pulling me back. I look up, and Ayden stares at me, holding my bag in his hand.
"Forget something, maybe?" He holds my bag above me, just high enough where I can't reach.
I look away, embarrassed.
When I don't say anything, he pulls me towards the bathroom, still holding me by my arm.
*** Bathroom
I'm not sure why this is where we always end up.
"Sooo... are we gonna talk about what yesterday was all about?" Ayden asks after a brief silence, leaning up against the wall.
I'm going to have to sooner or later. There's no way out.
I take a deep breath. "I-I... honestly, I had never been high before, and I wasn't in a good headspace-- I didn't mean to kiss you.. I'm really sorry, Ayden." I feel tears swelling up in my eyes. "If you dont want to be my friend anymore, I understand." I added, looking down at my feet.
Ayden doesn't say anything for a moment, and it feels like the longest minute of my life until suddenly I feel his arms wrap around me, giving me a hug. "It's okay. I'm not mad. I just... don't swing that way. We're cool, though, I promise."
I can't stop myself from blushing when I feel his arms around me. My arms wrap around him as my ear presses against his chest.
Ba dum Ba dum Ba dum
I can hear his heart beating...
Ba dum Ba dum Ba dum
It's beating so fast...
Or...is it mine?
Ayden pulls away after a second and scratches the back of his head awkwardly.
"Oh, by the way, did you bring my hoodie back?"
I nodded and pulled his hoodie out from my bag. "I um, washed it for you this morning too."
He takes the hoodie from my hands, putting it on right away. As I look up at him, I can see a small smile appear across his face.
*** Friday (3 days later)
The next couple of days had flown by and actually felt kind of normal for once.
Phoenix hadn't shown up to P.E. or at school in general - now that I think about it - which made my anxiety about seeing him much worse than before.
Nothing could've prepared me for when I walked into the locker room and saw him changing into his gym clothes.
Me and him had been the only two to arrive yet, which made the silence almost deafening.
As I pass by him to get to my locker, my eyes can't help but stare.
"Like what you see or something?" He inquires.
"Psh, you wish." I replied bluntly, turning away as I took off my shirt.
Before I knew it, he was behind me.
"Huh-?" I turn around to look up at him just as he slams my back against the lockers.
I didn't have time to react before Phoenix had pressed his lips onto mine.
Ba dum Ba dum
And for some reason, I kissed back. My eyes fluttered shut as I moved my hands up toward his neck to tangle my fingers into his messy dyed hair.
He started to kiss more rough and intensely, like he'd been wanting this for a while.
Then he bit my lip hungrily.
"Mmph-"
Our bare chests pressed up against each other as he kept me pinned.
What. are. we. doing.
I break the kiss as I shove him, making him stumble backward.
"W-what the hell is wrong with you!?" I managed to stutter out, giving him a confused and concerning look.
He stares at me and looks away like he's trying to think of what to say.
"Don't you ever bring this up to anybody. This is between you and me. Understand?" He grits his teeth anxiously.
"Hey, you're the one who kissed me!"
He gives me a little smirk before shrugging. "Like you didn't kiss back."
He's right. I did. But why?
*** Cafeteria
I debated on telling Dakota what had happened after gym, but even I had limits when it came to secrets. I could tell she knew something was wrong but didn't bother pushing it any further.
"Well, let me know if you wanna talk about anything." She smiles at me understandingly.
I had barely touched my food, which, to be fair, was kind of ass.
Who wants to eat school lunch anyway?
I watched as a student from another table scarfed down their plate of food. I watched in awe, genuinely in shock.
Okay... I guess there are some people.
***
The rest of the day, I was unable to focus on anything other than the fact that Phoenix Archer had just kissed me.
Like what. the. fuck.
What gave him the impression that I wanted him to kiss me, and why the hell did I kiss him back!?
Was it some kind of subconscious feeling of wanting for Ayden that I knew I couldn't have...?
Even then... that didn't explain what made Phoenix do it.
All I know is I have to shove these feelings for Ayden way down.
He's straight, I'm... not. He's fine with being friends, but just friends.
*** After school
My mom had been running a bit late today, so I had to wait in front of the school for her.
As I waited, a hand reached up to ruffle the back of my hair. Normally, I'd be annoyed when someone did that, but after realizing it was Ayden, I smiled.
"So Ez, I was thinking we should start working on the project this weekend."
After exchanging numbers and agreeing on a time for him to come over, my mom shortly pulled up.
*** Home
After dinner, I told my mom and dad that Ayden would be coming over to work on the project with me.
Since they were going to be at work all day, it would just be me and him in the house.
I laid in my bed for a while, replaying everything that has happened all in just the first week before I dozed off into a deep sleep.