"How's life? It's been ages."
His full set of white teeth showed as he smiled. Sebastian is Jax's friend. They were classmates before but I heard he shifted course. Also a varsity and used to flirt with Olivia but because of the guard which is Jax, he also stopped.
"Ages," I laughed. "We met last summer."
"Yeah right! Now I remember, the Alumni after party."
I nodded. He approached me but I backed away. He noticed that.
"Uh, I'm sorry, I might smell bad because of ... PE."
I awkwardly laugh again.
"No it's fine. You still smell good." He joked.
I shook my head and laughed at what he said.
"Hey I might invite-"
I stopped talking when suddenly someone opened the door of the girl's locker room. A woman with short hair and seems to be fixing clothes, probably also from dressing. I backed away slightly because it seemed to be in a hurry. I turned to Seb again.
"I might invite you to my birthday. I'll send you my save the date."
"Oh sure. Anything for you."
I slapped him on the arm and he laughed. We also said goodbye to each other after that. I entered the room and to my shock, I almost screamed when I saw Erato leaning just beside the jamb of the door.
"Shit!" I shouted loudly.
I immediately covered my mouth because of shock looking at his face. His arms were crossed and he was wearing only sweat shorts. Not wearing any top! The white towel is on his shoulders and I swear I don't know how to react!
"W-what ..."
I couldn't continue to say. We were a meter away from each other. I looked around inside and saw no one. Only him- in the girl's room!
Still couldn't function, I stared at him in great awe. As he seemed annoyed by who and ruined his whole day.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
I was devastated when my gaze touched his naked body. I feel like I'm sweating more.
"You ..."
Suddenly I remember the girl a while ago who's in haste. It was as if something annoyed had passed through me and I seemed to already know what had happened.
He must have noticed that my expression was different. I wanted to say something but I just restrained myself and continued to enter so that I could get to my locker.
Just a few steps away I felt a grip on my wrist. I immediately dismissed it.
"What is it, Erato?"
I was in front of him. His eyes followed me as he held me. He looked a bit surprised by my action. And I am too. I don't know, suddenly I'm not in the mood again because of the possibility of him making out with that girl here.
He also recovered and his dark expression returned as well.
"You still did not learn, aren’t you?"
I frowned and faced him, annoyed noticing what he was saying.
"After making out with that guy at the party and now Sebastian?"
I realized what he was referring to and I blankly resisted his gaze.
"What's wrong with talking to a friend, Erato? Have you not experience talking? Don't you have a friend?"
He chuckled without humor. He removed the towel from his shoulder and I could see his body even more.
The minimal tats on his arms are visible, I forced my eyes to focus on his eyes because I was disgusted.
"That's clearly flirting, from what I've just heard Jade."
It was as if someone tickled me when I heard him mention my name.
"Flirting? Me? With Sebastian? Look who's talking now! Don’t you have anything to say? You can now leave, the sign is clear outside. Unless you have a different purpose here."
I said meaningfully and turned my back on him again.
"Don't turn your back at me, kid."
My brain stuttered for a moment. Shock can be good too right? He pulled me to him and I was the one he replaced leaning on the one he was leaning on. He towered over me while both of his hands are gripping both of my arms.
"I am not a kid, Erato. How many times would I tell you that?" I whispered.
My legs are trembling from whatever I'm feeling as of the moment. I can smell his scent ... like an after shower scent. I leveled my eyes to his chest because I can't look at his eyes straight. He's glaring at me and his breath are deep and harsh.
I gave him a glimpse and I was immediately taken away to see that he still seemed to be looking at me furiously. A long silence reigned over us. And I'm contented with it, just being with him in solitude, even when he's mad I'm all in.
"I thought you like me?"
I quickly raised my head at what he said. He sound ... I don't know. A hint of confusion, annoyance and ... pain? No.
"H-huh?" My voice cracked.
His face was so close to mine and I was conscious because I came from the heat and sweat. I was even more nervous at his question.
This is the first time he asked me about this or talked to me about this. I don't hide it from everyone and even brag about it but it's really different when it comes to him.
Like I'm caught in the act. That no matter how many times I spread it, if he himself asks, my tail will still pull back.
"Uhm ... Y-yes. I l-like you..." I hadn't finished yet he replied quickly.
"Then who the hell will you flirt more with huh?" He said emphatically.
I looked up at him.
"Why? What's that with you? As if you care?" I rolled my eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes on me."
Shivers crawled through my spine. Something about his tone made my head spin, let alone his closeness to me and the scent of his body.
"W-why? It's true, I'm just a kid in your eyes right?"
"Yes. And kids don't flirt. They lock themselves into their room and play with their barbie dolls."
"I am not a kid, Erato. Oh please! I'm not the same Jade you knew!"
I whined and almost hurt him. Sounding so frustrated and almost wanting to walk out again. I stare at him, full of frustration. I pouted and stopping myself from getting teary eyed.
I have nothing without a face to present to him. It's not just my ego who's hurt here, but also the mere fact that he just look at me as this kid. Nothing more and nothing else.
"I can see that. You're not a kid now. Right."
I gulped when he removed his hands on me. He also moved slightly away and seemed to have a large space immediately lost to me.
The coldness of the room hugged me as he stepped back. I stared at him and he stared at me. I bit my lower lip before removing my eyes to him. I can't ... I can't stare at him for that long.
That's the emotion I see in him. It was as if something in his eyes was making my knees tremble and I couldn't stand it.
He sighed before I could even hear the loud door opening and closing beside me.
He left.