Obliterated Beginnings

• 24 •

EVA

The sound of a phone ringing filled the air.

Axel and I flied apart like our skins were on fire and our eyes jumped around like we were searching for the nearest pool of water to immerse ourselves into—which was crazy because I couldn't swim.

I never got the chance to learn how.

We were both desperately trying not to look at each other, while trying to catch a glimpse of each other, to see how the other person was taking it. Even though I wasn't looking directly at him, he was in my line of sight so it was easy for me to see his reaction. He was shuffling from one foot to the other. I, however, was doing everything I possibly could to not die on the spot.

What the hell was my problem?

It was like I became suddenly possessed when I was in the presence of him. I did things that I wouldn't usually even dream about doing—e.g the two near kisses—and even though I was still unsure whether it was a good or bad thing, I was positive that he was changing me.

Somehow.

The phone had stopped ringing eventually, but it started back up immediately and now that I could think clearly, I realised that it was my ringtone. And by ringtone, I meant the default ringtone that came with the phone.

"You should—"

"I'll go—"

I shook my head and turned away, breaking into a small run so that I could get to my phone before it stopped ringing again. It was in my bag which was on the rows of seats. I reached it, my eyes briefly drifting to Axel's bag in the seat next to mine, before I unzipped my bag and fished my phone out.

Abi.

Swiping on the screen to answer the call, I placed it against my ear.

"Hey." Abi's soft voice drifted through the line.

"Hey, Abi." I forced out, trying to control my breathing. It felt like I had just run a marathon, which was ironic considering that I had not even been the one running to begin with.

I had my back to Axel. It was not a coincidence. I'd done it purposely so I wouldn't have to see him. Since he hadn't made any effort to follow me up here, one would guess that he was still standing in the exact same spot that I'd left him, but knowing Axel, he couldn't stay in one place for long.

He was probably pacing.

"My lectures just ended." Abi informed me. "The driver should be here any minute now—oh, actually, he's here already. Where are you?"

I was pretty sure that my eyebrows dove to my skyline. Had an hour gone already?

My eyes jumped around the chairs absently, roving the high walls of the stadium as if I didn't know where I was. "I'm actually at the school's sport centre."

God, why didn't I think of lying? Now, she was going to wonder what I was doing in the sports centre in the first place and there was no way she was going to believe that I suddenly developed an interest in sports.

Lord knows I didn't even know where the place was located, until today.

"Uh...okay. I'm at the car park."

Thankfully, she didn't question me about it. That was exactly why I liked Abi. She didn't stick her nose in people's business and she was incredibly understanding, especially when she knew that certain questions could make a person uncomfortable.

"Okay. I'll be there in a minute." I told her, then ended the call.

I heard the sound of the wire-like gate separating from the chairs from the open field slam close, informing me that Axel was now coming towards me.