Colliding with Fate

~Fourteen~

I carried a bag of clothes for Fate in my left hand as I made my way down the hallway towards his locker. I took a deep breath before crossing the hall, landing right next to Fate. He seemed to be more tense than usual, his shoulders higher than normal.

"Uh... Hey." I managed, immediately cursing myself afterward. Fate turned to me with his hood up, hiding more of his face than usual.

His eyes hardened on me, causing me to shrink away. I swallowed. "Fate, I'm so sorry. What I did was totally uncalled for and stupid and wrong. I shouldn't have done it. I invaded your privacy when I knew better. But I'm not going to feel bad for you. Pity is the last thing you need. I know you're a guy and guys pretend not to have feelings, but I know I really hurt your feelings and that really got to you. I'm so sorry. Please, Fate, please forgive me." I begged, feeling myself tear up.

Fate's gaze softened slightly like I had broken through a barrier he set up around himself. I felt myself cave in. I placed the black drawstring bag in front of the both of us. Slowly, his eyes travelled down to it.

"What's that?" He asked, taking it in his hands.

Inside was a pair of Nike sweats, a few tees, socks, and a bottle of really expensive cologne Ethan never bothered to wear.

I closed my hands around his as he held the bag. "Promise me you won't open it until you get home." He nodded in understanding.

"Promise me I can still drive you home. I don't want you walking." I added, hoping he wouldn't decline. He paused for a moment before a muscle in his jaw ticked.

Fate closed his eyes, sighed loudly, then opened them again. "Fine, but please... Please don't talk about it unless we're alone."

I nodded along quickly, probably sounding desperate. Before I even though about it, I leaned up and wrapped my arms around his neck. His cold hands froze before they slowly wrapped around my waist, causing shockwaves up and down my spine. Over Fate's shoulder, Christopher came barrelling down the hallway in our direction.

"Hey, loser!" He called. Fate's hands froze, gripping me tightly. I pulled away, my stomach dropping.

Fate let go of me, leaving me feeling confused and exposed. I just didn't understand why I was acting this way.

"Leave him alone," I demanded through clenched teeth. Christopher was right in front of us now, causing a huge scene.

stupid meathead...

Christopher crackled, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "I wasn't talking to him. I was talking to you, Evanine." My blood boiled as his words registered.

My hands clenched at my sides in an attempt to contain my anger.

"Don't speak to her that way," Fate spat. I turned to him in shock. I was surprised he spoke up, considering he never did when Christopher was tormenting him.

"Oh, so you can talk?" Christopher laughed. "Why? Because you care about her, Fate? Is that what it is? I've been watching you two walk down the halls together for almost two months. I've seen the way you look at her. Too bad you can't provide for her like I can. How does it feel to know that? Hmm?"

I felt my cheeks heat up at Christopher's words. How dare he say things like that? He doesn't even know us. I felt Fate tense up next to me. I immediately forgot about my feelings when I saw him close his eyes and breathe deeply through his nose.

"I think we all want to know why you hide behind that stupid jacket you got in eighth grade, Fate. Go on, tell us your stupid, worthless sob story. Tell us all about how your mom can't--"