Chapter 23 - 23
Eleanor
Days later, I was back in school. My ankle still wasn't fully healed, but after a lot of convincing...and maybe some guilt-tripping, my parents finally let me go. I promised I wouldn't overexert myself, which is why I still had the ankle brace on and carried a crutch for when I got tired.
The halls were buzzing with the usual noise of students moving between classes, laughter, and idle gossip. It felt strangely normal, like nothing had happened, even though the chemistry lab explosion was still a hot topic. I ignored most of the whispers and focused on getting through the day without drawing attention to myself even though I knew it was literally impossible in my present condition.
After our first two classes, Sofia and I had to part ways as we had different classes now. I could tell she was really worried which I didn't get because it was just a fucking sprain.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" she asked, eyeing my ankle like it might give out any second.
"I'm fine, Sof." I reassured her. "If anything happens, I'll just sit down and dramatically demand for someone to carry me." I faked a British accent with a smug look.
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Right. Because that wouldn't make people talk."
"Exactly," I smirked. "Gotta keep them entertained."
She shook her head with a laugh before heading in the opposite direction.
With a sigh, I adjusted my bag and made my way to my locker. The slight limp in my step was still there, but at least I didn't feel like I was going to fall with every movement.
I reached my locker and opened it, slipping my book inside before getting the others. But the moment I pushed the door shut, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Alex was standing right in front of me!
With that dumb casual look on his face.
I sucked in a sharp breath, startled, and instinctively took a step back...only for my ankle to remind me that was a terrible idea. My balance wavered, and I felt myself tipping, but the lockers beside me helped me catch myself before I could fully fall.
The sharp clatter of my books and my crutch hitting the floor drew some attention. A few people glanced over, curious for a second, but quickly lost interest and looked away. Typical.
I exhaled, willing my heartbeat to slow down. My ankle throbbed slightly, but I was more irritated than hurt. My gaze flicked to Alex, expecting...something. Maybe a comment. Maybe a move to help me.
But he didn't move. Didn't even say a word.
Seriously?
I pressed my lips together while I adjusted my glasses, my irritation growing as the silence stretched. Fine. If he wasn't going to help, I wasn't going to ask.
Bending down carefully, I started picking up my fallen books. I could still feel Alex watching me, his presence looming, but he didn't lift a finger.
Sometimes I just wished Sofia could see this side of him and not make me sound like a fool whenever I told her how cruel was.
Like I keep saying, I just hope the dude gets some massive character development, if not I'll be the first to crash their union.
"So..." I started as I got up, meeting his gaze with my books in my hands. "...apparently it's wrong for people like you to say hello to others or greet them so I guess I'll go first." I forced a smile.
"Good morning Liam." I said with a small nod before slipping my books into my bag. "How are you doing today?"
"Stop playing dumb." He said with an irritated look. "It makes you look even more stupid."
"Wow, Liam." I drawled. "Didn't know you had such a sharp witted tongue." I maintained my smile.
I was already expecting something like this to happen today, just not this early in the morning.
"There's a lot of things you don't know about me, four eyes."
"Oh trust me..." I made sure my smile didn't waver. "...I know Liam. I know."
He narrowed his eyes, locking onto mine as a silent challenge burned between us. His dark eyes dared me to look away first but I didn't.
I held my ground, my chin tilting up slightly as I refused to let him think he had the upper hand. The air between us grew heavier, charged with something tense and unspoken, and for a second, I almost forgot to breathe.
Just then my phone chimed with a new notification shattering the moment and I glanced at the time on my screen. "Umm...I'd love to continue this..." I smiled gesturing around us. "But I have a Thanatology class now and I wouldn't want to be late for it so..."
"Interesting. I also have a Thanatology class now." He said with a taunting smile.
Of course he only smiled when he was mocking people.
"What a coincidence?" I turned to grab my crutch which was lying on the lockers and turned back to see him staring at me with a sharp glint in his eyes, almost like he was trying to see through me, but of course I ignored him. "Almost like you're following me or something." I teased, narrowing my eyes.
"Almost." His fake smile lasted only a second before it disappeared. "But I'm certain you wouldn't care about things like that. Unless...you have somewhere important to be. Someone important to talk to?"
I perfectly understood what he was hinting at, I mean that was the reason he was even standing next to me right now, but like I said, we made a deal and I wasn't going back on my word anytime soon.
"Not at all."
"Then I guess we should get going." He gestured towards the space behind me and we held each other's gaze for what felt like forever, before I smiled again and moved in front of him.
I could literally feel the air crackling with tension as he followed beside me. But I didn't actually care. Anyone would react this way, I guess he was just paranoid that I was going to tell on him, but little did I know that this was only the beginning of his so called paranoia.